Discomfort

“How inappropriate, scary, or uncomfortable are you willing to get in your writing?” Emcee Elaine Morin asked us five readers during the Question and Answer feature of Writing in the Works. “Is there some place you won’t go? Do people have to die before you’ll write about certain things?”

At the time, I answered briefly. “If I get an idea or an urge to write something, I’ll go for it and later decide if I publish this. So, no one needs to die for me to write it, but to publish? Probably.”

For my novel-in-progress To Catch a Fox, as I was thinking about how to raise the stakes for my protagonist, it hit me: she could attempt to murder her child.

I wrote the scene for a new novel opening. It made me uncomfortable and also wasn’t the easiest style of writing for me, but I felt it would be cowardly not to leave it , at least for now.

As the novel progressed, I could see that this horrible act was essential for my protagonist’s motivation later in the story. To remove it would make the plot less believable — and less dramatic.

Drama

Still, I wavered. I asked a couple of senior writers, “Can I make my protagonist a mother like this if I want her to be sympathetic?”

“Sure,” they said.

That’s the challenge of writing.

Looks like I’m stuck with it — for now, anyway.

When Do You Share?

“Since Writing in the Works is all about sharing works in progress, at which point do you share or discuss your project with someone?” Elaine Morin, the emcee, asked the five readers that night – Rob Bose, Joan Crate, Sarah Johnson, Taylor Lambert and me.

Elaine, me & Joan

“Around the second draft,” I said. “I believe the first draft is for you, to explore. By the second draft, you’re starting to work on getting your story and characters across to others.”

Sarah Johnson said, ” I don’t discuss my story until I’ve written a draft. I find if I do that I’ve talked it enough that don’t feel like writing it anymore.”

“I discuss it,” said Rob Bose. “If people are interested, I figure the story is worth writing.”

“Well,” Joan Crate said. “I gave you my first draft in my reading tonight.”

Every writer has a different process. While it’s interesting to hear how others handle this job, in the end, it’s about what works for you.

We're all different - in our writing process, style and height.

Salamander Launch

I’m looking forward to the launch of my friend Pamela McDowell’s new children’s book Salamander Rescue, the sequel to Ospreys in Danger. Salamander Rescue will be launched on May 10 at Owl’s Nest Books and everyone is welcome. If you would like to win a copy of Salamander Rescue, enter Pam’s Goodreads Giveaway May 1 – 15. She has ten copies to give away to lucky readers.

To celebrate the release of Salamander Rescue Pam  is getting a salamander tattoo to go with her osprey one. Now that is writing bravery!

WITWorks Photo Shoot

As always, Writing in the Works on Thursday night was a huge success.  This was the 10th edition of WITWorks and I’ve been there from the start to help organize the event.

This time, I was one of the five readers. I enjoyed sharing my unpublished novel excerpt with the audience that packed Owl’s Nest Bookstore in Calgary. It was also great to hear in-the-works readings by of my fellow presenters Rob Bose, Joan Crate, Sarah Johnson and Taylor Lambert. They’re an impressive group of writers.

Music by the Central Memorial Stringlets added a touch of class and ushered in the evening. Wine, cheese, fruit, brownies and amazing cookies helped set the mood.

An intriguing Q & A followed the readings. Emcee Elaine Morin began with teaser questions.

She asked each of us: Which do you prefer Star Wars or Star Trek? Naheed Nenshi or Mahatma Ghandi? Margaret Atwood or Lucy Maud Montgomery?

My answers? Star Trek original series, Ghandi and (with some struggle) Lucy Maud, in memory of my childhood.

Q & A: Elaine Morin, Susan and Joan Crate

Then came the serious questions:

Since WITWorks is all about sharing works in progress, at which point do you share or discuss your project with someone?
How inappropriate, scary, or uncomfortable are you willing to get in your writing? Is there some places you won’t go? Do people have to die before you’ll write about certain things?
Me emoting during my reading
Is there a genre you would never write? If so, what is it?

Which question do you wish people would ask you about your work?

Joan came up with the best answer for the last question: Can I buy your book?

As for the other questions, there’s so much scope I might grab them for topics for future blog posts.

At the end, we applaud emcee Elaine Morin

WITWorks

Two days until Writing in the Works! I’ll be sharing an excerpt from my novel-in-progress and engaging in a spirited discussion on the creative process with fellow readers Rob Bose, Joan Crate, Sarah Johnson and Taylor Lambert, moderated by Elaine Morin.

This is always a fun, well attended event. I hope to see some of you there.

A classy treat this year will be music by the Central Memorial Stringlets. Wine and food too.

The Arthurs

Me as Emcee

On Thursday, April 21, I had the pleasure of hosting the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Awards for Excellence in Canadian Crime writing.

Four fellow CWC members participated: Jayne Barnard, Eileen Bell (from Edmonton), Dwayne Clayden and Axel Howerton.

Axel began by warming up the audience with magic tricks that involved thumb cuffs and a toy gun that I shot.

Dwayne explained what the Arthurs are about. They got their name from the pseudonym of Canada’s Official Hangman and over the years have been won by such illustrious writers as Eric Wright, Gail Bowen and Margaret Atwood.

Axel reads the shortlist for Best Crime First Novel

Through the evening, we took turns reading the shortlists for the eight Arthur categories. Eileen, Jayne, Axel and Dwayne shared short readings from their writing. We all engaged in a spirited and honest discussion of Writing Contests and Awards: the Good, Bad & Ugly.

Only Axel and I knew the shortlisted authors names in advance. We saved the category with a winner present for last, unaware that a second winner in the same category was in the audience. What a treat and a splendid ending to a fun night.

We applaud the winners in our midst
Alice Bienia and Jayne Barnard, shortlisted for the Unhanged Arthur award for best unpublished novel.

Arthur Announcements Tonight!

Tonight’s the night we announce the shortlists for this year’s Arthur Ellis Awards for Excellence in Canadian Crime Writing. I’ll emcee the event, which takes place at Calgary’s Owl’s Nest Bookstore and features my partners in crime: Jayne Barnard, E.C. Bell, Dwayne Clayden and Axel Howerton. Join us for readings, magic tricks and a lively discussion of Writing Contests and Awards: the Good, Bad & Ugly.