Spring at Buntzen Lake

by | Mar 25, 2017 | journal, writing and publishing

This morning I wandered at Buntzen Lake. I had not been there all winter as it’s a higher elevation and gets more snow. Actually, while I was wandering, the sun peaked out, and later hail came down in small white chunks. The main trail around the lake beside the dog beach is closed for repairs, but other trails are open. Not much of spring is showing yet; a few leaf buds on bushes, but things are slow this year and it’s been a long cold winter here on the coast. When we first moved here from Ontario, we camped beside this lake. It’s a treasure. It’s where Hollystone Coven perform their ceremonies. Here’s an excerpt from To Charm a Killer where Estrada and Sensara arrive for their Mabon ceremony:

Mesmerized by the forest, for a while he walked in silence. There was no death in this Pacific woodland; only transformation as the dying nourished the living. Miniature ferns sprouted from crooks and hollows of disjointed upper limbs. Mushroom colonies hovered in crevasses; thin stalks twisting like snakes as they competed for space, their rusty caps perfect circles.
Cocking his head like a raven, he flung back the long dark locks that tumbled across his eyes. “I love these shaggy tree folks.” He touched the soft hairy mosses that draped in fractured folds from the decaying tree limbs. Hearing no objection, he rambled on. “This forest could be Fanghorn. Maybe we could conjure up our own Treebeard. Befriend an Ent. Can you imagine all these trees ripping up their roots and marching off like Birnam Wood to Dunsinane, only true Canadian pines, rustling and dragging their—”
Sensara gasped and hugged her chest.
“What?” he whispered.
“Another—”
“Shiver? That’s three. What is it?”
“I don’t know, but I feel sick. Something’s wrong.”
Grounding himself, he shot imaginary roots from the soles of his feet deep into the earth’s crust. If there was one thing he trusted, it was Sensara’s radar. “We’re almost there. Come on. We’ll cast the circle.”
At the signal tree, they veered off a grass-flecked game trail between massive ferns. Buntzen Lake simmered below, a smoky emerald in the growing dusk. Ancient granite mountains encircled the water; their snow-tipped spires still harbouring scattered traces of last winter’s storms. Pine spikes jutted like slivers from the distant peaks, split only by immense mottled rock that gaped through the trees—faces of mountain spirits and Old World giants.
When she shivered again, the energy shot through the air and up his arm like a jolt of lightning. “Jesus. I felt that.”
“Something’s coming, Estrada. I don’t know what it is or how to stop it—but unless we do, people will die.”

 

Liebster Award!

by | Mar 25, 2017 | writing and publishing

Thank you Nicole @Live Life Reading for nominating me for the Liebster Award. I don’t usually partake in things like this, but because its WordPress, and I like this community, I’m in.

The Rules.
Say thank you to the person who has nominated you for the Award.
Answer the 11 questions the person has asked you
Nominate 11 people (comment on their blog to let them know)
Ask the people who you have nominated 11 questions

What is your favourite book, or if that’s too hard, your favourite author?
Wow. This is a tough question. I don’t have one favourite book or author. There are books I love to read time and again: The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx, The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Chronicles of Faerie series by OR Melling.
Is there a  country you have always wanted to visit, if so what is it?
Not one. India. Greek islands, Yorkshire, England where my father’s people farmed, sacred temples in Asia, and lately, I’ve been curious about New Zealand. I always want to visit Ireland and Scotland.
What’s your favourite thing to do?
Wander by water.
When did you start your blog, and are you ever going to abandon it?
This particular blog, I started last summer 2016, I think. I may abandon it someday, but for now, I enjoy the camaraderie between bloggers. I’m always learning something new, meeting new people, and creating. It gives me a focus.
Do you play an instrument?
Yes, I’ve played piano since I was about nine years old. I love to play and sing. I also play guitar. One of the experiences I enjoyed the most was an Irish traditional music workshop in Co. Clare at Boghill Centre! Every evening, we–a group of twelve or thirteen musicians from all over the world–got in the bus with our instruments, set up, and played in local bars all evening. I met such amazing people.
What’s your favourite Social Media site?
Again, I don’t have a favourite. They’re all different, and they all have their purposes. I don’t read the newspaper so usually get my news from Twitter (it’s quite political). I have a Facebook page, and this blog. That’s enough to manage:)
What’s your favourite animal, and do you have a pet?
Horses, dogs, dolphins and whales, wild birds… No pet at the moment. I lost my beautiful dream dog a few years ago and I’m still grieving(:
Can you speak multiple languages, if you can what languages are they?
No. Being a Canadian, I learned some French. I’d love to learn Spanish and Gaelic.
What is your favourite thing about blogging?
Focussing on a thought and then putting the whole thing together with photos. It’s a quick creative moment, as opposed to writing a novel. I also love the interactions between WordPress bloggers. It’s a supportive interactive community!
Which is your favourite season?
Easy. Spring. Now.
Have you ever written a book/story, and what’s called?
Yes. I’ve written a few novels over the years that are sitting in my closet! I am currently writing and publishing the Hollystone Mysteries. To Charm a Killer and To Sleep with Stones are available at all retailers.
Source: Liebster Award!
Nominations:
https://kristentwardowski.wordpress.com
https://jennisfora.com (The Infamous Jennisfora…)
https://karendowdall.com
https://abooknation.wordpress.com
https://vivianparkinderosa.wordpress.com (Writing with Style)
https://thesenovelthoughts.com
https://cristinatrapaniscottreal.com
https://wendyunsworth.wordpress.com
https://writet.wordpress.com (Write Thoughts)
https://critiquingchemist.com
https://rltsite.wordpress.com (Rachel’s Reads)
My Questions:

  1. If you could live in any culture, in any time, in any place, where would it be?
  2. What genre(s) do you read?
  3. Who inspires you?
  4. Where is your favourite place to write?
  5. Do you prefer paper or electronics for writing/reading?
  6. If you could invite four historical characters to a dinner party, who would they be?
  7. What do you enjoy about blogging?
  8. Have you ever written a book or a story? What is it called?
  9. What cuisine do you crave for comfort?
  10. Do you speak a language or languages other than English?
  11. What is it about blogging that brings you here?

Learn from the Screenwriters

by | Mar 24, 2017 | journal, writing and publishing

This is a great article on how watching shows on Netflix can make you a better novelist. I totally agree with Andrew Lowe, not just for everything mentioned here, but for genre, history, and hooks. When you can’t turn it off because you just have to know what happens next, you know you’re hooked.
I’m currently watching “The Last Kingdom” (Wessex during the Viking raids) to explore history and how writers approach the cultural differences between tribes. Fascinating.
via 8 TV Shows That Will Make You a Better Novelist • Reedsy