Recently, an editor wrote to compliment my work, calling it a 'compelling story' and 'vividly drawn.' Another editor wrote to say that she read 'with delight' my essay about Paul Quarrington, A Canadian in Paris. It is thrilling to receive such endorsement from professionals in the field, and even more exciting when they want to publish your words, as in the case of the Montreal International Poetry Competition, from which I won a Longlist prize for my poem, "Lucas".
As writers with a world of story inside us, we want to be heard, we want readers to tell us they were moved. And in that endeavour, we strive for excellence in our style, structure, character and all the nuances of craft that are needed to tell a compelling story.
We are fortunate as writers to have a wide choice of workshops, conferences and events to assist us in this quest. Upcoming for me are: the Pat Schneider Writing Retreat, the WCDR breakfast with speaker Dave Bedini (writer, musician and friend of Paul Quarrington), the Canadian Creative Writers and Writing Program (CCWWP) conference, Words of the Season, the Durham Theatre Festival, and the Historical Novel Society conference in London, England.
A busy and challenging schedule, but one I look forward to with relish. In addition, the Coffee, Tea and Words literacy event, the Ontario Writers Conference, Spring Thaw writing retreat with Writescape, plus several other events and workshops are coming up. Next fall, WCDR has Knopf Canada Random House editor Craig Pyette conducting sessions, and Words on the Street is scheduled for September. Also planned by WCDR: a grant writing workshop, the business of publishing, and more agent/editor meetings!
In addition, I was honoured to be a judge for the Len Cullen Writing Scholarships run by WCDR. It was a joy reading the submisions of dozens of writers, outlining their writing goals and providing a sample of their work. We were pleased to be able to award several thousand dollars in writing scholarships to aspiring and accomplished writers, so that they can pursue the advancement of their craft. It is clear from the list above that they are spoiled for choice! Every one of those writers and each one of those events will match skills and talents within the writing community and develop craft in writing. I look forward to the stories they create!
For information on WCDR breakfasts, events and workshops, and the Len Cullen Scholarships click here. and go the workshop page and events calendar.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Canadian Literary Historical Fiction
I read an article in the Historical Novel Society's newsletter, about how Dickens set a 'new' standard in historical fiction. He wrote with passion for character and respect for the past, a good goal for any historical fiction writer- and for readers, too!
The great writers of classic literature have been a huge inspiration to me. Dickens, Austen, Bronte, Dumas, they wrote about the foilables of human character, and the tragedies and comedies that human behaviour incites. When writing about history, they commented on their own times as much as the times they wrote of, and their novels endure because their stories are unforgettable.
In today's commercial world of guessing what markets want, or creating an expectation of story that satisfies a perceived market, we sometimes forget what is truly inspirational in those early works at the birth of the novel as an artform. Make it resonate, and make it accessible.
Canadian Literature is renowned for its beauty of language, its deep resonance, and its challenge to read. American literature is renowned for its emphasis on plot and its accessibility. The challenge of modern writers is to marry the two things readers want: style and story.
As a writer, I hope to further the cause of modern writing with a respect for the past masters who knew how to weave a great story. Canadian Literary Historical Fiction and Commercial Literary Contemporary Fiction are the hybrids of this philosophy. Ultimately, telling a story that creates memorable characters is what it's all about. #CLHF
The great writers of classic literature have been a huge inspiration to me. Dickens, Austen, Bronte, Dumas, they wrote about the foilables of human character, and the tragedies and comedies that human behaviour incites. When writing about history, they commented on their own times as much as the times they wrote of, and their novels endure because their stories are unforgettable.
In today's commercial world of guessing what markets want, or creating an expectation of story that satisfies a perceived market, we sometimes forget what is truly inspirational in those early works at the birth of the novel as an artform. Make it resonate, and make it accessible.
Canadian Literature is renowned for its beauty of language, its deep resonance, and its challenge to read. American literature is renowned for its emphasis on plot and its accessibility. The challenge of modern writers is to marry the two things readers want: style and story.
As a writer, I hope to further the cause of modern writing with a respect for the past masters who knew how to weave a great story. Canadian Literary Historical Fiction and Commercial Literary Contemporary Fiction are the hybrids of this philosophy. Ultimately, telling a story that creates memorable characters is what it's all about. #CLHF
Friday, January 20, 2012
A New Year and New Worlds to Explore
Hope everyone had a great holiday season!
As many of you know, 2011 was a particularly challenging year, but I have learned much about the strength of family and friends, lessons that will stand me well into 2012. My mother in particular has been an inspiration to all of us. Mary Helen Moore, born Mary Helen Clayton, is a loving, giving individual with fondness for the past and a spark of excitment for the future. Even given the difficulties of the past year and her current battle with cancer, she has remained cheerful, optimistic and supportive towards us all in our grief over Dad's passing. She looks forward to the possibilities that exist in our lives, joyful at our successes large or small, and encouraging in our trials and motivations. Her smiling face has sustained me through the long hard road back to 'normal' existence, and her love for her family and interest in our lives has been miraculous.
Thanks Mom, for being you, and never more than now, when some of us have found it hard to be ourselves in the midst of sorrowful times. You are amazing!
As many of you know, 2011 was a particularly challenging year, but I have learned much about the strength of family and friends, lessons that will stand me well into 2012. My mother in particular has been an inspiration to all of us. Mary Helen Moore, born Mary Helen Clayton, is a loving, giving individual with fondness for the past and a spark of excitment for the future. Even given the difficulties of the past year and her current battle with cancer, she has remained cheerful, optimistic and supportive towards us all in our grief over Dad's passing. She looks forward to the possibilities that exist in our lives, joyful at our successes large or small, and encouraging in our trials and motivations. Her smiling face has sustained me through the long hard road back to 'normal' existence, and her love for her family and interest in our lives has been miraculous.
Thanks Mom, for being you, and never more than now, when some of us have found it hard to be ourselves in the midst of sorrowful times. You are amazing!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
WCDR Events Ramping Up
'Tis the Season...to write and talk about writing. There are so many events going on with WCDR, I hardly know where to start. From Art of Transition on November 25 to Words of the Season on December 28, to a host of fabulous workshops for writers of all levels, it's going to be a busy and inspirational few months. I am excited to announce that WCDR is presenting workshops and one-on-one sessions with an editor and an agent this year, starting in January with Sam Hiyate of The Rights Factory. We also have Cynthia Good from Humber College, veteran of the publishing industry, conducting a workshop on the Business of Publishing on March 4; and Robyn Read will be back in May to run workshops on working with writing partners. Other workshops are in the works, so stay tuned, and our December breakfast speaker is wonderful memoir writer and personal inspiration to many, Wayson Choy!
Check it all out at the WCDR web site!
Check it all out at the WCDR web site!
Memories of My Father
Thanks to you all for your comments. I miss my Dad terribly, more so every day. He continues to be an inspiration to me, and at this time of year especially remembering him and who he was reminds me of what is important in this world. SAM
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Algonkian Conference is a win/win for publishers and agents!
I just came back from beautiful (and colourful!) Niagara Falls, Ontario, where I met with about 30 other writers for the experience of a lifetime! The Algonkian Conference is held in several cities across North America, and for the first time, it landed in Canada.
This is a working conference. Writers dive in immediately, pitching their books in a group setting and being critiqued, sometimes brutally. But it's all for a good cause: getting published. After three intensive days, you get to pitch agents and editors on your novel. I have to say in the end, it was a lot of fun!
And yes, I did get a few requests for my manuscripts! So it's worth the work, and whatever comes of the experience, you walk away with a realistic, inspiring and constructive view of the wonderful world of publishing. And you meet some truly wonderful people on both sides of the desk!
Check out their site at:
Algonkian Conference
One other note: The Old Stone Inn, where we stayed is a lovely place. The people were so friendly, and the place has such charm and character. The library full of vintage books in the stone dining room was fully appreciated by a room full of writers!
Check out their site at:
Old Stone Inn
This is a working conference. Writers dive in immediately, pitching their books in a group setting and being critiqued, sometimes brutally. But it's all for a good cause: getting published. After three intensive days, you get to pitch agents and editors on your novel. I have to say in the end, it was a lot of fun!
And yes, I did get a few requests for my manuscripts! So it's worth the work, and whatever comes of the experience, you walk away with a realistic, inspiring and constructive view of the wonderful world of publishing. And you meet some truly wonderful people on both sides of the desk!
Check out their site at:
Algonkian Conference
One other note: The Old Stone Inn, where we stayed is a lovely place. The people were so friendly, and the place has such charm and character. The library full of vintage books in the stone dining room was fully appreciated by a room full of writers!
Check out their site at:
Old Stone Inn
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Montreal International Poetry Prize
I am delighted to announce that one of my poems has been longlisted for the prestigious Montreal International Poetry Prize!
The shortlist of 50 finalists will be announced in November, and the final prize announcement of $50,000 will be made in December. It will be the biggest prize ever awarded for a single poem, and the first major global literary award based on a community funding model.
I am excited and honoured to be included in a prestigious list such as this. You can see the poems longlisted at MONTREAL Poetry Prize , but will have to wait to hear which poem is mine, as entrants have been asked to remain anonymous until the judging process is complete.
The shortlist of 50 finalists will be announced in November, and the final prize announcement of $50,000 will be made in December. It will be the biggest prize ever awarded for a single poem, and the first major global literary award based on a community funding model.
I am excited and honoured to be included in a prestigious list such as this. You can see the poems longlisted at MONTREAL Poetry Prize , but will have to wait to hear which poem is mine, as entrants have been asked to remain anonymous until the judging process is complete.
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