tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81387842201867210852024-03-18T03:15:22.861-05:00Headwaters Writers' GuildA group of writers who love to share their creations. Some of us are published, others are seeking to put a foot into the doors of agents and publishers.Headwaters Writers' Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12291062431283480673noreply@blogger.comBlogger825125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-61595259292745036252022-07-16T19:40:00.000-05:002022-07-16T19:40:15.174-05:00Headwaters Writers' Guild In-Person Meetings Resume<p><span style="font-size: large;">We are beginning in-person meetings again at the Orangeville Public Library, Mill Street location. All meetings are on Sundays from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. The schedule for the rest of this year is as follows:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">July 17</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">August 21</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">September 11<u></u><u></u></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">September 25<u></u><u></u></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">October 16<u></u><u></u></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">October 30<u></u><u></u></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">November 13<u></u><u></u></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">November 27</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-58701238343860399772021-12-28T17:31:00.002-06:002021-12-28T17:31:50.843-06:00Testing<p> This post is only a test. Sorry for the inactivity for those following this blog. Obviously our writing group has been unable to meet since March of 2020, nor have we been able to hold activities with the community. And we have no way of knowing when we will be back in business.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you for hanging in there with us.</p>Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-19764284618628069642021-02-14T00:00:00.001-06:002021-02-14T00:00:07.581-06:00Diane Bator New Release ALL THAT SHINES<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzC6_Tvz2v8axqG7SQi8ZZxA8MzIa9E5GSN8NrQOINpXfwnwcJHILKZ4mKSv62bjZ_Ge0q7fhxGv5FG-xSMOg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><br />INTRODUCING BOOK 2 IN MY <br /></b><b>GLITTER BAY MYSTERY SERIES</b></h3><div><p align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Vintage Sage was a peaceful, one woman operation until Sage Miller’s sister Laken moved to Glitter Bay. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; padding: 0cm;">Now they feature gently loved items with a side of mystery.</span></p></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><b>ALL THAT SHINES!</b></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFtiYndgLzOMxyYB6yIGaEsn2Jeva2DUjhWCbyZ2XIeKkhDJxcA-b-q_-HqLxw0cEUrVfXPS57PJ9yEet0-0YgQzCqqayCmdCpzU3AdQiGASSRBKxozxZrjSWLfHrJBCE9FH8ykApRyc/s225/Bator-AllThatShines-blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFtiYndgLzOMxyYB6yIGaEsn2Jeva2DUjhWCbyZ2XIeKkhDJxcA-b-q_-HqLxw0cEUrVfXPS57PJ9yEet0-0YgQzCqqayCmdCpzU3AdQiGASSRBKxozxZrjSWLfHrJBCE9FH8ykApRyc/s0/Bator-AllThatShines-blog.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Book 2: All That Shines (April 2021)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sage Miller is knee deep in fashion designers—whether she wants them in her new vintage boutique or not.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">One winds up dead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Another isn’t what he seems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A third is treasure hunting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sage is stuck in the middle trying to solve a murder before the grand opening of Vintage Sage, which involves a fashion show she’d rather not be part of.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 27.6px; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">To Buy:</b></p></div></b></h2><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amazon.com </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W2J3LBQ?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">BWL Publishing Ltd. <span> </span>https://www.bookswelove.com/bator-diane/</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reviews:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"><i>Diane Bator has once again successfully completed another beautifully written mystery: “All That Shines” Book 2 in the Glitter Bay Mysteries series. A comfortable, easy read, and a page turner which keeps you guessing right to the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed Bator’s willingness to step into the deep waters of some human issues which rage today’s society. An honest and bold move on her part, Bator writes with absolute grace and dignity. Well done! 5 Stars ~ </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Maggie Kirton, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Award-winning, bestselling author.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">All That Shines is another great “who done it” with Sage and Laken and once again I was wrong. Can’t wait for the next book in the Glitter Bay Series to see what the sisters are up to! ~ </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">L. MacGregor</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Want to join me for a chat about writing February 21? </i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 1rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.75px;">One thing new writers are often told is to “write what you know.” How are you supposed to grow as a writer if you only write the things you know about? The best way is to take what you already know and give it a twist—turn it into a story your readers will find engaging.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 1rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.75px;">All writers put a little of themselves in their work whether they realize it or not. Sometimes using subjects you are familiar with can be a great start for any genre of novel. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.75px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Workshop will be via Zoom, Sunday, February 21, 2021 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Pre-registration ends February 19, 2021. Please register below. Instructions for logging into Zoom will be sent the week before the meeting. Be sure to click on + to add a ticket before clicking on “Get Ticket” below. </strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.75px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></p><div class="tribe-events-single-event-description tribe-events-content" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 732.2px;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; hyphens: none; letter-spacing: 0.75px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px 0px 10px; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-19023 alignleft" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" src="https://wcyork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Diane-Bator-BW-200x300.jpg" srcset="https://wcyork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Diane-Bator-BW-200x300.jpg 200w, https://wcyork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Diane-Bator-BW-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://wcyork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Diane-Bator-BW-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://wcyork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Diane-Bator-BW-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://wcyork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Diane-Bator-BW-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://wcyork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Diane-Bator-BW-600x900.jpg 600w, https://wcyork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Diane-Bator-BW-scaled.jpg 1707w" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; font: inherit; height: auto; margin: 10px 20px 10px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></span>Diane Bator is the traditionally published author of ten mystery novels. She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime Toronto, and the Writers Union of Canada. When she’s not writing, she works full-time in theatre which may be subjected to immortality in a whole new series. No surprise she’s trying her hand at writing a play as well as a couple of fantasy novels.</p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Click on the <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwcyork.ca%2Fevent%2Fwrite-what-you-know-then-give-it-a-twist-with-diane-bator%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cc74f4ab7c37c4cbd899a08d8cb7ceb4b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637483084669570931%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=SjIOzaFg%2B%2FvS4sUUL43lMftt2x9D4eUs343OJ8xvNlw%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">link</a> for more information: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">https://wcyork.ca/event/write-what-you-know-then-give-it-a-twist-with-diane-bator/</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Diane Bator, Author & Book Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693609714074043580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-40224137423001376002020-12-31T23:00:00.054-06:002020-12-31T23:00:03.150-06:00Writing Groups Go Online by Diane Bator<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDr-tAk-4XbHEWYVc9eiNzxf7WumwVSYogpyxiX5pbe6oiwxXijmjbdCzxOIs4HSes6KE9n3FMkH6oNJe7dhN7I5y4SMBuFrfCEn8aUBriQHWieDJjeQ1xCQHgZMJAbEb269yfZX7dnU/s1080/64819-549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDr-tAk-4XbHEWYVc9eiNzxf7WumwVSYogpyxiX5pbe6oiwxXijmjbdCzxOIs4HSes6KE9n3FMkH6oNJe7dhN7I5y4SMBuFrfCEn8aUBriQHWieDJjeQ1xCQHgZMJAbEb269yfZX7dnU/s320/64819-549.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy New Year!</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you made any resolutions this year?</div><div><br /></div>For the first couple months of the pandemic, I had a hard time writing. I found my creativity swirled around in a little ball in the pit of my stomach but refused to come out. I was able to edit and be critical of my work, but had a tough time to release that creativity into words. There were a few things that happened that allowed me to release that swirling little ball into the world.<div><br /></div><div>First of all, restrictions relaxed. I felt less afraid to be outside and walk. Walking always loosens up my creative energy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Secondly, I discovered a writing group I belong to, WYCR, was starting an online Write In every Monday night. I was a bit nervous since I'd never met any of the other writers in person but over the past 5 months, we've become friends and I rarely miss a Monday night session. It's enabled me to finish my Nanowrimo book as well as a new mystery novel. Basically, we meet for two hours talking for 15 minutes before we write for 45 minutes. After a 15 minute break, we write for another 45 minutes before we call it a night.</div><div><br /></div><div>Third, Nanowrimo. Having that goal of writing 50,000 words in 30 days was a real kick in the butt. As usual, I was a bit burned out afterward, but I will go back to the novel I finished and eventually publish it. I was thrilled to reach my goal and even finished the book at 78,000 words.</div><div><br /></div><div>What else? Writing boost Number 4 came because of Nanowrimo. Suddenly, I became part of another online Write In on Sunday mornings with the same group and mostly the same people. This one was so much fun, that we're keeping it going as well. It has the same format as the Monday night group.</div><div><br /></div><div>Number 5 begins in January thanks to The Writers Union of Canada (TWUC) and will be a one hour, once a week session. Another great opportunity to meet new like-minded people and write. </div><div><br /></div><div>So how do all these things helps with my writing? </div><div>I have designated times to write. </div><div>I have new people to write with.</div><div>I get awesome ideas for my books.</div><div>I get encouragement!</div><div>Since I work from home, I get to see familiar faces once or twice a week.</div><div><br /></div><div>How do you plan to move forward with your dreams and goals in 2021?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm setting up my day planner as well as my notifications on my phone to make sure I have writing time daily - on top of having designated writing meetings. I have two books and a novella to prep for publication later in 2021. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you will also check out my personal blog <a href="http://dbator.blogspot.ca/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://dbator.blogspot.ca/</a> where I also feature other authors on Escape with A Writer. I'm thrilled to say I featured 80 authors in 2020 and look forward to many more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a wonderful New Year and let me know what you plan to do to reach your goals in 2021!</div><div><br /></div><div>Diane Bator</div><div>http://bookswelove.net/bator-diane/</div><div><a href="http://penspaintsandpaper.com/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://penspaintsandpaper.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcc-jx0xV9U7Wad3PpYG0EJa-s04LsEbP6KF__i-5luu3DTEX-REDNuLr2Q2su_9WN3pfceGhhIHh_IWsrmP6h5uCmJX5Oh9qAAsDypgiMI18UYrBZIMJjzZS1Dm33Cq18GZY5mWRAn0/s1080/64819-548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcc-jx0xV9U7Wad3PpYG0EJa-s04LsEbP6KF__i-5luu3DTEX-REDNuLr2Q2su_9WN3pfceGhhIHh_IWsrmP6h5uCmJX5Oh9qAAsDypgiMI18UYrBZIMJjzZS1Dm33Cq18GZY5mWRAn0/s320/64819-548.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Diane Bator, Author & Book Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693609714074043580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-84394270696778166682020-07-01T13:53:00.004-05:002020-07-01T13:54:23.544-05:00Reading and Writing in "Times Like These" by Diane Bator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqz61MKLFIYm9yATmSPy7tDVyEZ2n7y1axlc29c8_vxn3EHFL5x-LAt9yue9_d3DYq3V4aV0ZCT2sHdAzJDE_0iIbHZ4ZJSGRICMoVmjtdlOzbcnuF0TBLuhmcmh8DgVIFtfw0pVq2HY/s1600/Bator0DropDeadCowboy4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqz61MKLFIYm9yATmSPy7tDVyEZ2n7y1axlc29c8_vxn3EHFL5x-LAt9yue9_d3DYq3V4aV0ZCT2sHdAzJDE_0iIbHZ4ZJSGRICMoVmjtdlOzbcnuF0TBLuhmcmh8DgVIFtfw0pVq2HY/s200/Bator0DropDeadCowboy4.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ5SZXY10iHhGvo1Q0cdJGbx4rF8aFc1C278uUrVqhqF470UArASmfje1A3lpErdtiTtO57kIM2gqwQ2lEwKnHTPpixKQdKTfay57Ggn5TKhM6hHxTplvW4hiG2dVr2cmUkUydV6jCE8/s1600/Bator-DeadWithoutShame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ5SZXY10iHhGvo1Q0cdJGbx4rF8aFc1C278uUrVqhqF470UArASmfje1A3lpErdtiTtO57kIM2gqwQ2lEwKnHTPpixKQdKTfay57Ggn5TKhM6hHxTplvW4hiG2dVr2cmUkUydV6jCE8/s200/Bator-DeadWithoutShame.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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Who hasn't said at least once a day, "If I had more time, I'd..." </div>
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I have to admit, I'd always dreamed of having more time in my day to write while raising three kids, working full time, and trying to write mystery novels. "If I had a week to myself, I'd..."</div>
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Well our collective wish came true. Back in March, most of us were sentenced to isolation in our homes. We had all the time in the world. The problem was most of us, me for one, were too numb at the time to figure out how to create. We could only sit glued to the television or social media to watch as our world changed in crazy ways. Since my day job involves running a live-stage theatre box office, I'll be working from home for several weeks yet. </div>
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At first, being creative was the last thing on my mind. My biggest fear was not running out of toilet paper and making sure my kids were safe. I lost sleep over the kids - not so much the toilet paper.</div>
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After the first week, I was able to focus for short stints of time on editing a couple books I'd written. <i>Drop Dead Cowboy</i> was scheduled for release in September 2020. I edited and submitted the completed manuscript in April. After a round of edits, it was published June 1, 2020. Bumped ahead because a fellow author needed an extension and mine was already done.</div>
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With the pressure of the new release off, I was able to relax and read a few books that have piled up. Yes, TBR (too be read) piles can teeter over and fall...just saying. For me, however, reading is always followed by posting reviews.</div>
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I've been one of the lucky ones able to work from home for the past few months. Theatre staff meets every weekday morning to chat about what we will do once we are able. Mostly, we meet to keep everyone sane and check in to make sure we're all well. Some days, there's a lot to say. Many days, we lapse into discussing bartering with neighbours, what movies we're watching, and if we've developed any new hobbies. </div>
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Because I have more free time to play around on social media and listen in on author events, I've been blessed to virtually meet some great people from Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime Toronto, Rogue Women Writers and others. </div>
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I've been trying to learn how to set up a newsletter and a mailing list, but that concept keeps getting pushed aside due to other things.</div>
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Way back when, I used to do counted cross-stitch, which is something I've picked up again and developed a following who loves to watch the progress I've made. I even had someone refer my book, Drop Dead Cowboy, which features a craft shop called Stitch'n'Time to Needlepoint Retailer!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGR50Tu3O2GE2HP7R_2xLxGqH6SolB5HkiXeF2_wn-LMkp81BQ3OCxE62BhzhYIBwoF7RJFm_14ieNm_BHs1s-ZtylQncZ4ihHh76fuHl0xa57DICf6BnLhDERubuBmKvBAhrlSDATfM/s1600/Copy+of+Escape+with+a+Writer+Sunday+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="1400" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGR50Tu3O2GE2HP7R_2xLxGqH6SolB5HkiXeF2_wn-LMkp81BQ3OCxE62BhzhYIBwoF7RJFm_14ieNm_BHs1s-ZtylQncZ4ihHh76fuHl0xa57DICf6BnLhDERubuBmKvBAhrlSDATfM/s320/Copy+of+Escape+with+a+Writer+Sunday+%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a>One of the other things I've been working on is my own blog post series, Escape With a Writer Sunday. Every week, I share an interview, bio and blurbs about other authors and their books. It's been a fun project! I've hosted authors from Australia, UK, USA, and even one from Hungary! If I'm lucky enough to read their books, I always share a review on the same blog post. So far, I've featured nearly 50 authors and I'm always looking for more! </div>
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With my creativity back on track, I'm currently working on Book 2 in my Glitter Bay Mystery series. This one features Laken Miller's sister, Sage as the protagonist. Trust me, this girl has her own story to tell! Being the sister of a supermodel is no picnic, especially when Laken's fashionista friends come to visit and Sage owns Vintage Sage, a vintage boutique. </div>
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Speaking of, I have pages to write and blogs to post!</div>
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Stay healthy and well and keep on reading!</div>
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Diane Bator, Author & Book Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693609714074043580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-28571457151503350402020-05-03T20:57:00.001-05:002020-05-03T20:57:46.355-05:00<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Belief vs. Truth</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">People say they love truth, but in reality they want to believe that which they love is true - Robert J. Ringer</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true - Soren Kierkegaard</b></span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Write a story about how the character came to accept their belief, how their belief was challenged and how they responded to the challenge.</b></span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Sherry believes that she can leave her past behind her if she moves but the truth is.....</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">John believes that Lucy loves him but the truth is....</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Nathan believes he's found his BFF when he meets Tyler but the truth is....</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Amanda believes that there are fairies living in the garden but the truth is...</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Donna believes her seven year old son has an active imagination but the truth is...</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Veronica believes her husband is the CEO of a large company but the truth is...</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Danny believes that the medicine he's taking will cure him but the truth is...</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Christopher believes that his new job is the answer he's been looking for but the truth is...</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Hanna believes that her ancestry is the same as her parents but the truth is...</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Jimmy believes that he can manage his addiction but the truth is...</b></span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">OR</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Choose a belief that you have. Ask yourself why you believe that. </b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">What would happen if your belief was challenged? How would you react?</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Until we meet again!</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Happy Writing Everyone!</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Stay Well <span id="x_❤️" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">❤️</span><span id="x_💙" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">💙</span><span id="x_💜" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">💜</span></b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sonja<span id="x_😎" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">😎</span></span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-5594360314473810962020-04-19T13:02:00.000-05:002020-04-19T13:02:07.402-05:00April 19, 2020 Writing Prompts & Info<br />
We may not be able to meet in person, but we're still hoping to continue the inspiration and motivation.<br />
<br />
At this point I think any plans we have for Open Mic Night or any other events are totally on hold. We may actually have to skip Open Mic this year. We're taking it one day at a time right now.<br />
<br />
Writing Prompts:<br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA">1. After a long,
hard winter, I couldn't wait to walk in the woods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">2. I was used to
seeing wild animals in my rambles through the conservation area, but nothing
prepared me for what I saw that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">3. "What's
that, Mommy?" My four-year-old daughter pointed at empty space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">4. I'd been
through some tough times in my life. Accidents, betrayal, loss, you name it.
Something told me this was going to be the worst yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he hurried through the dark street, he
hunched against the eyes seeking him. Phantom<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>fingers brushed his spine, wracking him with shudders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">6. Most people
think of animals as just animals. As a vet, I've learned each one has a
personality as distinct as yours or mine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">7. The whole
world was dancing in the jubilance of spring sunshine. Trees and wildflowers
swayed in the breeze, birds swooped and pirouetted in a mating dance, squirrels
wove arabesques as they chased each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">8. The warmth of
the sun and a teasing breeze lured me into sailing out of the bay. The forecast
was good weather all weekend, so when a sudden squall pounced like a lion on my
tiny craft, I was unprepared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">9. We spit on our
pinkies and linked them in a solemn vow. We would never tell anyone what we
were about to do, and no matter what happened we would face it together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">10. I have never
told anyone what happened that day, until now. Now that I stare death in the
face, secrecy is not only irrelevant but undesirable. People need to know.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Stay tuned for more information on when we will be able to resume meetings and possible events.</o:p></span></div>
<br />Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-66788616744975567162020-04-05T10:00:00.000-05:002020-04-05T12:08:58.072-05:00April 5 Virtual Writing Meeting by Diane Bator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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HWG Writing Prompts April 5 2020<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The Signs and their
Ingredients<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyDtZJKBi93VocDR59nQtXEkc3yaH_Nh2H_N1z8Wcyv3tp8HnnhErDp1kaUrJHeHZI4RhBQpACXetPSto2OoMugjRfOG5vB8F9pzt4DrIiAt3WbNPx9V3-csXF5G4uDxsRjP4vdK17c0/s1600/Canva+-+Zodiac+Sign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyDtZJKBi93VocDR59nQtXEkc3yaH_Nh2H_N1z8Wcyv3tp8HnnhErDp1kaUrJHeHZI4RhBQpACXetPSto2OoMugjRfOG5vB8F9pzt4DrIiAt3WbNPx9V3-csXF5G4uDxsRjP4vdK17c0/s200/Canva+-+Zodiac+Sign.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all! </div>
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While we are all in this crazy state of being forced introverts for a while, I thought I would find a way to keep our brains active and the creative juices flowing.</div>
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In the midst of things, I'm busy doing edits for Drop Dead Cowboy which comes out in September. It's the cover ideas I'm struggling with but that will come!</div>
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I'm also finding online courses to build my word skills. Too bad it's not helping my typing some days! I tend to stumble over my fingers when I go too fast.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I discovered this on Facebook one day and thought
it would make for some fun prompts:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Aries:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flames
directly from hell, shards of diamonds, the energy of a toddler, a gallon of
caffeine<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Taurus:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>clusters of emerald gemstones, the scent of old books, warm chocolate
chip cookies, silk pajamas<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Gemini:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wind
from a tornado, a pinch of salt, a child’s laughter, a cup of glitter<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Cancer:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>shimmering tears, the moon’s light, the scent of lavender, water from an
ocean storm<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Leo: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
Hollywood actresses’ tears, the pride of a lion, the morning sun’s rays,
beaming highlighters<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Virgo: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>freshly
roasted coffee, the scent of new books, a bouquet of daisies, breeze of a fall
afternoon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Libra:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a cup
of rose petals, a bottle of fruity perfume, creamy frosting, voice of Marilyn
Monroe<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Scorpio:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>deep
rooted secrets, the eyes of a psychic, passion *added for flavour*, a midnight
conversation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sagittarius:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
child’s optimism, a folk song riff, a language not yet known, wisdom of a
philosopher<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Capricorn:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
bones of a warrior, a gallon of pessimism, a leader’s authority, Saturn’s tough
layered rings<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Aquarius:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an
alien brain, a tablespoon of stardust, holographic beams, one mystery flavored
candy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pisces:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>melatonin, a cup of cotton candy, the heart of a goddess, tears of a
siren<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
Can't wait to see or hear what you all write!<br />
If anyone wants to share it on our blog, please email me or Pat and we can post it for you.<br />
Until we can read to each other out loud again....<br />
Stay healthy and keep writing!<br />
<br />
Diane</div>
Diane Bator, Author & Book Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693609714074043580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-29131918069163134672020-03-11T18:31:00.002-05:002020-03-11T18:31:13.882-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjPa3GFCnLZDeUb0O4SkmbI6q8r7WFS8fCYDd_J8VdQnrfUfX4PIlFuHP_SxH6klRxfaoWlUIQF4w3mAJuql4hyywy5Y3p3vN8T9EPJSbM-8YYs0W3uP9a4g5YEUpYtw8m9W82LqRTAA/s1600/uta-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="972" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjPa3GFCnLZDeUb0O4SkmbI6q8r7WFS8fCYDd_J8VdQnrfUfX4PIlFuHP_SxH6klRxfaoWlUIQF4w3mAJuql4hyywy5Y3p3vN8T9EPJSbM-8YYs0W3uP9a4g5YEUpYtw8m9W82LqRTAA/s320/uta-page-001.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
Come one, come all to Orangeville's third annual Day of the Poets
Festival. Saturday, April 25th, at the Orangeville Public Library. Open
mics, book giveaways, window poetry, live music and fabulous readings
will make this a day to remember. Free poetry workshop with Maureen
Hynes ('Going Deeper') at 11 A.M. Readings from 12-5. Special festival
kick-off event on Friday, April 24th at 7 P.M. at Maggiolly's Art
Supplies, featuring Owen Sound Poet Laureate Richard-Yves Sitoski and
croc E moses. All free! Put it in your calendar!harry posnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651824315679138578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-26052163114578790682020-03-11T15:17:00.000-05:002020-03-11T15:17:31.758-05:00HWG Meeting Sunday, March 8, 2020<br />
<br />
Diane's 10th book is coming out! A book launch is being scheduled at BookLore in October. Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
Diane participated in Tottenham Crime Writers of Canada Author Showcase and Panel on March 7th. Her review on that is posted below.<br />
<br />
Sonja sent a proposal to the library regarding two events -<i> Reader Feedback</i> and a <i>NaNoWriMo Write-in</i>. The group agreed the reader feedback event should be scheduled for September 26th from 2-4pm, This has since been confirmed by the Library. We need ideas for catchy names for both of these events.<br />
<br />
Judy read a prose about a childhood memory. This subsequently became our prompt for the day: Write about a childhood memory.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Next Meeting</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Sunday, March 22, 2020, 1:30-3:30pm</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Leader: Patricia</span></b></div>
Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-66742933281363120822020-03-09T19:13:00.002-05:002020-03-09T19:13:12.010-05:00Crime Writers of Canada Author Showcase and Panel by Diane Bator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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Last year, with seven published novels under my belt,
I finally joined the Crime Writers of Canada. I was part of our Crime Writers
Event in Orangeville last fall on September 28, 2019. I was nervous meeting
such talented writers but came away inspired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
Then again on March 7, 2020, I attended my second
CWC author event and I totally enjoyed it! This time, I was more relaxed and
felt more like I belonged among such talented company, especially since I’d
been on the Orangeville panel with Judy Penz Sheluk and Anita Arvast in
September.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleven authors (6 women and 5 men) met at the Tottenham Community Centre
and spoke to a small, but attentive audience about our process as well as
answering a few questions from our wonderful host librarian, Kim Burgess. I
found it intriguing that out of all eleven of us, only one professed to being a
true plotter, aside from the non-fiction crime writers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
The highlight for me was getting to mingle and talk
to fellow authors later. We exchanged stories about other events, how we come
up with ideas for books, what we do to promote our books, and even what printer
we use to get hard copies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Our amazing panel:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Anita Arvast</u></b> – Dr.
Arvast is a professor of humanities and writes books in the true crime genre
with an orientation to social justice. Her first book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bloody Justice</i>, was short-listed for the Arthur Ellis Award. Her
subsequent book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What Killed Jane Creba</i>,
is being turned into a play. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<o:p></o:p><a href="http://www.anitaarvast.ca/">h</a><a href="http://www.anitaarvast.ca/">ttp://www.anitaarvast.ca/</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>David Albertyn</u></b> – Born
in South Africa, David Albertyn immigrated to Toronto in 1993. Writing stories
since the age of six, a graduate of Queen’s University and the Humber School
for Writers, David’s goal is to write visceral novels that are both thrilling
and meaningful. He has coached tennis since 2005. <o:p></o:p><a href="https://davidalbertyn.com/">https://davidalbertyn.com/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Diane Bator</u></b> – A born
writer and storyteller, once Diane Bator started writing, she’s never looked
back and is the author of several mystery novels. When she’s not writing, she
works in a theatre which may be subjected to immortality in a whole new series.
She might even try writing a play.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://penspaintsandpaper.com/index.html">http://penspaintsandpaper.com/index.html</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Karen Grose</u></b> – Karen
Grose was born in Canada and lives with her family in Toronto. After a career
as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, she turned her attention to
writing. Set in Ontario, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dime Box</i>
is her debut novel and she is currently working on a second. <o:p></o:p><a href="https://karengrose.ca/">https://karengrose.ca/</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Jim McDonald</u></b> – Jim
McDonald is a teacher, marriage officiant, DJ, actor, publisher and author. Jim
is close to completing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heavy Weather</i>,
a historical thriller that follows the 1970 guerilla actions of Weather
Underground, the terror group that bombed draft boards, courts of law and even
the Pentagon. <o:p></o:p><a href="http://www.jimmcdonald.ca/">http://www.jimmcdonald.ca/</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Daniel McTavish</u></b> –
Daniel McTavish has worked in the computer industry for over twenty years,
spending thirteen years in North Carolina. He currently lives in Toronto,
Ontario, but spends what time he can at his cottage in Norway Bay, Quebec,
sharing morning writing sessions with passing porcupines and racoons. <o:p></o:p><a href="https://mctavishpublishing.com/about/">https://mctavishpublishing.com/about/</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Hyacinthe Miller</u></b> – An
award-winning author, Hyacinthe’s work has been published in anthologies, magazines
and online. Her debut novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kenora
Reinvented</i>, was released in late 2019. Hyacinthe is a founding member and
Past President of the Writers’ Community of York Region and a member of
numerous Canadian and International professionals writers’ groups.</div>
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<a href="https://hyacinthemillerbooks.com/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=eb52f04ec047795cd42fbf2b8180be6aaee4f9fc-1583798828-0-AX3XoA-X5HTv-AyDNQGrkvpn7ZzkE0uYUH32L4Qa15ptO4xFKPEmJ_9Mq0gf0lzAbFqkB6deKVafZHszH96DDddUkXk8DW0F_zqr71DT9rpO8KkUe9vS2SDax55odey-r6gHTYDGaSpvGibGPI17aYCbD2kv4FDMyNdhl8GWG7VRR3R117I9oZLIJTTF11mIyCjnB8AfSSB2kCLS7gPI3QrSep13LdoCEQK-pQyAXfH1p1yTp_d69n3aTAElTQRXJRSdz78L-PLPJjPNUw660Sg">https://hyacinthemillerbo</a><a href="https://hyacinthemillerbooks.com/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=eb52f04ec047795cd42fbf2b8180be6aaee4f9fc-1583798828-0-AX3XoA-X5HTv-AyDNQGrkvpn7ZzkE0uYUH32L4Qa15ptO4xFKPEmJ_9Mq0gf0lzAbFqkB6deKVafZHszH96DDddUkXk8DW0F_zqr71DT9rpO8KkUe9vS2SDax55odey-r6gHTYDGaSpvGibGPI17aYCbD2kv4FDMyNdhl8GWG7VRR3R117I9oZLIJTTF11mIyCjnB8AfSSB2kCLS7gPI3QrSep13LdoCEQK-pQyAXfH1p1yTp_d69n3aTAElTQRXJRSdz78L-PLPJjPNUw660Sg">oks.com/</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Lorna Poplak</u></b> – Lorna
Poplak is a Toronto-based writer, editor and researcher with a fascination for
the stories behind historical events. Her debut book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Drop Dead: A Horrible History of Hanging in Canada</i>, was released in
2017. She is currently working on a second non-fiction book about Toronto’s
infamous Don Jail. <o:p></o:p><a href="https://www.lornapoplak.com/">https://www.lornapoplak.com/</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>John Simpson</u></b> – John
Simpson was a journalist for many years as well as the author of crime fiction.
His first book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Undercut</i>, was
runner-up to Kathy Reich’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deja Dead</i>
in the first-novel category of the 1997 Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis
Awards. He lives in Barrie. </div>
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<o:p></o:p><a href="http://johnworsleysimpson.ca/about-john-worsley-simpson-crime-fiction-writer/">http://johnworsleysimpson.ca/about-john-worsley-simpson-crime-fiction-writer/</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Judy Penz Sheluk</u></b> – An
Amazon International Bestselling Author, Judy Penz Sheluk writes the
Marketville and Glass Dolphin Mystery series. Her short stories are included in
several collections, including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Best
Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery and Suspense</i>, which she also edited. Judy
is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, South Simcoe
Arts Council, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Crime Writers of Canada,
where she serves on the Board of Directors as Vice Chair. She splits her time
between Alliston and Goulais River. <o:p></o:p><a href="http://www.judypenzsheluk.com/">http://www.judypenzsheluk.com/</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Keith Weaver</u></b> – After
a 37-year career in engineering, and more than 50 years into a continuing
reading addiction, Keith Weaver turned full time to a long-standing interest,
writing. But instead of technical writing, he focuses now on fiction. Eight
books later, this very active retirement continues.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://keithrobertweaver.com/">http://keithrobertweaver.com/</a></div>
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While I’m still relatively new in the Crime Writers of Canada circle,
I’ve found being a part of the group beneficial and am branching out to other groups such as Sisters in Crime as well. I meet new crime writers,
learn more about the tax implications of being a writer, and find out more from
other authors about their processes. What works for some, doesn’t always work
for others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For now, sharing their work, and mine, is what works for me!</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
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Diane</div>
<br /></div>
Diane Bator, Author & Book Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693609714074043580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-56953213427661789182020-03-03T09:54:00.001-06:002020-03-03T09:54:31.943-06:00Hi all. Please take note of this event and date, and then contact me to register to take part in order to support an important service organization in our community. Summer is the leanest time of the year for the Food Bank, so here is a chance to top up their resources by doing what we love to do. Get in touch with any questions. Cheers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a3-oPy8ZdFqjxZHT9rX5Z86DQN4A-BhOebfYLVR9JMQZBFvLbYLzrVbMGIAQ69ZiXUV0Q6d2d7za-YQPqA2l0dVGJJa8F70RZ-CTwXymx1QvjEmW8EBaMEiSetm4ctMu2aH9zp0VTTM/s1600/Food+Bank+Poster-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a3-oPy8ZdFqjxZHT9rX5Z86DQN4A-BhOebfYLVR9JMQZBFvLbYLzrVbMGIAQ69ZiXUV0Q6d2d7za-YQPqA2l0dVGJJa8F70RZ-CTwXymx1QvjEmW8EBaMEiSetm4ctMu2aH9zp0VTTM/s320/Food+Bank+Poster-page-001.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />harry posnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651824315679138578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-69909013586417293202020-02-26T13:32:00.001-06:002020-02-26T13:32:41.361-06:00Meeting, February 23, 2020<br />
Sonja reported that she sent a proposal to the library regarding a NaNoWriMo event and a writers feedback event. The library is reviewing the proposal and will get back to us.<br />
<br />
Judy suggested running a Shakespeare Sonnet Workshop (1 hour). Virginia suggested having Brian Henry in to give a writing workshop. We agreed to wait until we hear back from the library before putting forth more proposals.<br />
<br />
After our prompts (below), June mentioned something about an Ode to a Salad. Since there was still some time left in our meeting we all decided to write an Ode to a Salad.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Writing Prompts</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
The writing prompt was taken from Writer's Digest - a game of Mad Libs.<br />
<br />
Fill in the following:<br />
<br />
1. A name<br />
2. Noun<br />
3. Noun<br />
4. A place<br />
5. Verb<br />
6. Adjective<br />
7. Adjective<br />
8. Body part<br />
9. Adjective<br />
10. Time of year<br />
11. A verb ending in -ing<br />
12. A consumer product<br />
13. A formal occasion<br />
14. Plural noun<br />
15. A verb ending in -ing<br />
16. Noun<br />
17. Plural form of something you wear<br />
18. A place<br />
19. Noun<br />
20. Noun<br />
21. Verb<br />
22. Noun<br />
23. Noun<br />
<br />
Now, insert the words in the story below where numerically indicated.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Call me _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">1</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______. Some years ago -
never mind how long precisely - having little to no _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">2</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">_____ in my _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">3</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______, and nothing
particular to interest me in ______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">4</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______, I thought I would ________</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">5</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______ around a little
and see the _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">6</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______ part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the
spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing ______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">7</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">_______ about the ______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">8</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">_______; whenever it is a
______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">9</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______, _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">10</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______ in my soul;
whenever I find myself involuntarily ______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">11</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">________ before ________</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">12</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">________ warehouses, and
bringing up the rear of every _______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">13</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">_______ I meet; and especially whenever my ______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">14</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______ get such an upper
hand of me, that it requires strong moral principle to prevent me from
deliberately _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">15</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">_____ into the _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">16</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______, and methodically knocking people's _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">17</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">________ off - then, I
account it high time to get to _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">18</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">________ as soon as I can. This is my substitute
for ______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">19</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______ and ____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">20</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">______. With a
philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword, I quietly ______</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">21</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">________ to the _____</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">22</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">_______. There is nothing
surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some
time or the other, cherish very nearly the same feelings toward the
________</span><u><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%;">23</span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">________ with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Next Meeting</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, March 8th, 1:30pm</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Leader: Judy</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<br />Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-20079110915748231252020-02-11T19:10:00.000-06:002020-02-11T19:10:42.454-06:00Writing Prompts from Sunday, February 9, 2020<br />
This week's prompts had a romantic theme in honour of Valentine's Day.<br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romantic Encounters<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">What is Romance?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the strictest academic terms, a romance is a </span><u><span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://literaryterms.net/narrative/" title="Narrative"><span style="color: blue;">narrative </span></a><a href="http://literaryterms.net/genre/" title="Genre"><span style="color: blue;">genre </span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">in literature that involves a mysterious, adventurous, or spiritual </span><u><span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://literaryterms.net/story/" title="Story"><span style="color: blue;">story </span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">line where the focus is on a </span><u><span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://literaryterms.net/quest/" title="Quest"><span style="color: blue;">quest </span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">that involves bravery and strong values, not always a love interest. However, modern definitions of romance also include stories that have a relationship issue as the main focus.</span><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Examples of Romance</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the academic sense, an example of a romance is a story in which the main </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://literaryterms.net/character/" title="Character"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">character </span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">is a hero who must conquer various challenges as part of a quest. Each challenge could be its own story and can be taken out of the overall story without harming the plot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Example 1</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A knight who wishes to prove himself by recovering a stolen heirloom from an enemy may find himself attempting to make his way through a dangerous wood filled with thieves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once he has accomplished this challenge, he may find himself climbing a tall mountain on which a group of people are in trouble. He would save the group somehow, and then move on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then the final stage: the enemy’s kingdom. There may be a fair maiden whom he meets and somehow helps or rescues, or perhaps she helps him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But the fair maiden is not the focus of the story – his quest is the focus. Each story can be taken out, yet each builds the hero’s strength to face his final quest. These stories tend to be serious rather than humorous and touch on strong values.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Example 2</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A modern romance would include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The story of a </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://literaryterms.net/character/" title="Character"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">character </span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">who keeps meeting the wrong type of people in his or her relationships or has run into a problem with a current love relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The story would focus on the struggles the character faces while finding Mr. or Mrs. Right. The whole focus would be the relationship, although the character may also be dealing with other struggles, such as losing a job, handling difficult parents, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">These stories may be funny, sad, tragic, serious, or a mix. The obvious </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://literaryterms.net/resolution/" title="Resolution"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">resolution </span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">to the conflict would be finding the right person or saving the present relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Literaryterms.net/romance/<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Prompts<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I never stood a chance did I?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s the sad part. You did once.”</span></i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.medium.com/">www.medium.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I love you,” he whispers under his breath as the love of his life walks down the aisle to the man he is paid to assassinate. <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.writedivas.com/">www.writedivas.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">She was beautiful in every way but, God, her feet stank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was used to being alone. Immortals learn to accept solitude after awhile. I only went on the blind date so that my friend would stop bugging me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father John looked over at Sister Mary. He didn’t even know her name before she’d taken her vows, but God help him, he was in love with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Write a story about:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A knight who goes on a quest to save a dragon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">People who meet at an animal shelter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two people who hated each other as children and meet at a singles night event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Someone who falls in love with a ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Choose a candy heart (a box of candy hearts was provided) and use what is written on it to complete one of the sentences below.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I came back from lunch, there was a candy heart on my keyboard. It said __________.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>ii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn’t wait to see what was in the mysterious package I’d picked up from the post office. Inside was a bag of candy hearts. The message _____________ was on every one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>iii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cereal was still my go-to breakfast in the morning. But today when I upended the box to my bowl, candy hearts came out instead. They all said ____________.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>iv.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A stranger bumps into you and you feel them grab your hand. When you look, there is a candy heart in your palm with the message ______________.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Next Meeting</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, November 23rd</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Leader: Clare</b></span></div>
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Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-33054042258100793602020-01-20T13:18:00.000-06:002020-01-20T13:20:03.203-06:00Meeting Notes from January 19, 2020<br />
We discussed possible dates for this year's Open Mic Night. Thursday, April 30th was settled upon. Due to the change in the library's hours, the event will take place from 6pm to 8pm.<br />
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There is a giant book sale in Elora on May 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Members of the group are going to go together on Saturday, May 2nd, to fill up their book bags.<br />
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We discussed more ideas for events in 2020. An <u>informal</u> event surrounding NaNoWriMo in November will be proposed to the library. It was also suggested we do a Beta Reader Day at one of our meetings inviting authors of the community to participate.<br />
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Continue to work on your writing prompts and submit them to Virginia for the anthology. We are hoping to publish this fall.<br />
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<b><u>Writing Prompts</u></b><br />
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1. Even a kick in the butt is a step forward.<br />
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2. You go for a walk in fresh snow. Suddenly you realize you're not leaving any footprints.<br />
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3. He stared at the lottery ticket and read the numbers eleven times before he was sure.<br />
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4. Tell a story about a celebrity meeting you.<br />
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5. Her job interview did not go so well.<br />
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6. Write a story about someone cleaning out their attic. They find an old piece of clothing, and inside of the pocket is an old keepsake.<br />
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7. Write about a character's secret area of expertise, something most of their acquaintances would be surprised to learn they know tons about.<br />
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8. "You're early," he finally says.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Next Meeting:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, February 9th, 1:30pm</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Leader: Sonja</b></span></div>
Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-65477312340452063752020-01-06T19:03:00.002-06:002020-01-06T19:03:50.271-06:00January 5, 2020, Meeting Notes<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
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Virginia announced that we will be proceeding with the anthology. We don't have enough submissions so we are extending the deadline to September 1, 2020. Please submit any of your writings created from writing prompts. Expand on them if you feel it is necessary.<br />
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We discussed the 4th Annual Open Mic this coming April. It should be the week of April 20th. Patricia will consult with Harry, and then the Library, as to what date would be suitable.<br />
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Brian announced that he participated at his first Open Mic with positive feedback. He is a new member of our group and are proud of how quickly he is progressing.<br />
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Brian also announced that the gentleman who played Big Bird passed away. MuppetsMindset.com is accepting submissions of tribute. Brian submitted a poem which was accepted.<br />
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<b><u>Writing Prompts</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
January is the month of beginnings. According to the Romans it was ruled by the two-faced god Janus. One face looked backward to the past, one forward to the future. Write a story or an essay inspired by one of the following:<br />
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1. A character, looking back, makes a decision about the future.<br />
2. An inauspicious beginning.<br />
3. Something that started out well but ended badly.<br />
4. Something that started out badly but ended well.<br />
5. The beginning of a relationship.<br />
6. People laughed when I told them my New Year's resolution.<br />
7. At least this year started out better than last year.<br />
8. Janusz is the Polish form of "John", meaning "God is gracious" or at least that's what the book of baby names says. The Janusz I went to school with didn't reflect God's graciousness. He was more like Janus - two-faced.<br />
9. There's an old saying "In my beginning is my end". I sure hope that isn't true.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Next Meeting: Sunday, January 19th, 1:30pm</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Diane will be leading.</b></span></div>
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Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-48703515960664717562020-01-05T07:47:00.001-06:002020-01-05T07:47:16.129-06:00Escape With a Writer Sunday Author Call Out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n8TVdDA0ISeMA9dGJR_qMozIBuCX25kqa7d0U6PfE-ozHBF4OUDhfSeDRu1Brm9_DX6XE79djKIW-oheHQkxqHC6gUfxWfgUmO-VKNqzGcuLwI3P2IBoDfLfL-JX9DNEtIT5Slc6S1U/s1600/Copy+of+Escape+with+a+Writer+Sunday+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="1400" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n8TVdDA0ISeMA9dGJR_qMozIBuCX25kqa7d0U6PfE-ozHBF4OUDhfSeDRu1Brm9_DX6XE79djKIW-oheHQkxqHC6gUfxWfgUmO-VKNqzGcuLwI3P2IBoDfLfL-JX9DNEtIT5Slc6S1U/s640/Copy+of+Escape+with+a+Writer+Sunday+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Happy New Year!</b><br />
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<b>One of the fun things I've been doing this past year is a Sunday blog post called Escape with a Writer Sunday. I've had a very busy few months with some great authors, but I'm always looking for new people to appear on my blog!</b><br />
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<b>Who can join the fun? </b><br />
<b>Anyone! I've had authors from all over the world send me their bios and book information to help promote their great new novels.</b><br />
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<b>How do you find the site? </b><br />
<b>Easy, peasey! Check out http://dbator.blogspot.com to see what I do and read about new-to-you authors and their books.</b><br />
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<b>Do you have a book you'd love to promote?</b><br />
<b>Please find me on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dianebatorauthor/">https://www.facebook.com/dianebatorauthor/</a> or message me via my website <a href="http://penspaintsandpaper.com/index.html">http://penspaintsandpaper.com/index.html</a></b><br />
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<b>All the best in 2020! </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Diane </b><br />
<br /></div>
Diane Bator, Author & Book Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693609714074043580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-9639281374333668912019-11-07T21:26:00.000-06:002019-11-07T21:26:12.345-06:00Writing Prompts from November 3, 2019<br />
<b><u>Writing Prompts</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
1. Things <b>I should</b> have said, things <b>I could</b> have said, and things <b>I would</b> have said. We all have these stories in us - the stories of what was left unsaid. Write about one of them (and the regrets or impact it had on you).<br />
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2. By the time the officer arrived, Jacob had done his dirty work.<br />
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3. I thought I had a perfect (marriage, career, etc.) and then, Fate, as Fate so often does, threw a wrench into the works.<br />
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4. If I could just make it home before David opened the letter, our lives could continue as they were.<br />
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5. Finnigan, my father's long-dead gray cat, always appeared in the house just before someone in the family died. Who had it come for this time?<br />
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6. That night, she put the beautiful porcelain doll, the one she'd bought at the antique fair, in a chest of drawers in her sitting room, and went to bed. Some time in the night she got up when she heard a sound like a child crying, and found the doll lying on the floor outside her bedroom door.<br />
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7. She stared into the crumpled car at her own mangled body, when a woman in a pale blue suit appeared and said, "You must come with me now." She protested vigorously so the woman said, "We will let you live this day over again but you must discover the one moment in it that could have changed this outcome, not just for you but for many others as well."<br />
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8. Hannah dropped the hitchhiker off in front of the house where she said she lived. It was a cold rainy night, so Hannah watched her as she ran up the driveway toward the front door, to make sure the girl was home and safe. But the girl never made it to the door - she vanished into thin air.<br />
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9. The turbulence was the worst she'd ever experienced on a flight and she was glad when they touched down safely; but when she entered the airport from her gate, everything looked, not radically different, but subtly and disturbingly different. This couldn't be Toronto. A passing flight attendant assured her that it was.<br />
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10. If you could go back in your life and relive one day in your past, what day would that be?<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Next Meeting</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, November 17th</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>1:30pm</b></span></div>
Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-20668699835871246742019-11-07T19:44:00.002-06:002019-11-07T19:44:42.582-06:00Headwaters Writers' Guild 2020 Meeting Schedule<br />
Below is the schedule of meetings for 2020. Leaders are not listed here. That copy was emailed to group members.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2020
Meeting Schedule<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All
Meetings at the Orangeville Public Library, Start time 1:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, January 5<sup>th</sup> –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, January 19<sup>th</sup> –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, February 9<sup>th</sup> –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, February 23<sup>rd</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, March 8<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, March 22<sup>nd</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, April 5<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, April 19<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, May 3<sup>rd</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, May 24<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, June 14<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, June 28<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, July 19<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, August 16<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, September 13<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, September 27<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, October 4<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, October 25<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, November 8<sup>th</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday, November 22<sup>nd</sup> – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sunday,
November 29<sup>th</sup> – Christmas Social</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-81354551939536241872019-11-01T00:00:00.000-05:002019-11-01T00:00:07.119-05:00My First Writing Conference by Diane Bator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Dead-Without-Pride-Diane-Bator/dp/022860611X/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=diane+bator&qid=1572308186&sr=8-6"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlkrcAv475LAYWWT_NMcC-3UEuqAnZIILb7M3S691SYuh2ibI4xjQXoCblsGSCwzN0Hs8KIwCbS6yW4Qd2m_u4o6GNcuo4afzilsVlnvr6slp-e0C_fmU0ml689kovs_VTi4SWR9CK20/s200/07+Bator-DeadWithoutPride.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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This feels a bit like an essay I did once in school. What I Did This Summer by Diane Bator. Remember those? Only this one is about something I did for the first time as a published writer. I attended a writer's conference. Yes, it's taken me eight novels to finally get to one!</div>
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I've read posts by friends who travel to conferences all over the place but was lucky that the Writers' Community of York Region sponsored one in Newmarket, Ontario this past weekend. This was the first event the WCYR had ever hosted and it was well attended by over 100 writers from all over Southern Ontario including Patricia and I.</div>
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We started the day in the atrium of the Newmarket Town Hall with coffee and muffins and received a great new folder to take notes in. After a few brief words from on of the coordinators, we broke into groups for our chosen morning sessions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aKyrIhxgymhDuMLf1EFMkJQvSo2_yBfuqKzky8HLd31SwCyLDiw9nzkmihxNymHhSNiPQn-gm6EOgssdiuOkSNTgjz-uOMvtCdpi4O6MqT_fOUD5V1r8ilzLjW1wExpVLAgRGHvuxc_N/s1600/writing+folder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aKyrIhxgymhDuMLf1EFMkJQvSo2_yBfuqKzky8HLd31SwCyLDiw9nzkmihxNymHhSNiPQn-gm6EOgssdiuOkSNTgjz-uOMvtCdpi4O6MqT_fOUD5V1r8ilzLjW1wExpVLAgRGHvuxc_N/s200/writing+folder.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Our first session was with romance novelist Zoe York, author of more than 50 romance novels. She discussed Marketing for Genre Fiction. A lot of writers in the room were either looking to publish a novel or had published 1 or 2 novels. The one thing I found most interesting were the questions she gave us to think about no matter where we were at in our journeys.<br />
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>What genre do you want to be writing and what type of books do you want to write? ie. genre, heat level, setting, tone, etc.</li>
<li>What are the next 5 books you want to write?</li>
<li>Can you group thematically or do they exist in the same world? Explain that world in a common theme in a sentence or two. ie. small town romance with sexy cowboy.</li>
<li>On a blank piece of paper, list all of your work to date, published or unpublished, finished or in draft/dream stage.</li>
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One of the other things they offered throughout the day were 20 minute Blue Pencil Meetings. The opportunity to sit with a fellow writer or editor (including our own Marilyn Kleiber) and ask them questions as well as getting feedback on their novel. I passed on the chance for this conference, but Patricia was very happy with the feedback she received.</div>
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Lunch was simple, soup and sandwiches along with some yummy chocolate chip cookies for dessert. While we ate, we were also able to purchase raffle tickets and enter them to win several beautiful baskets donated by sponsors, including the writing group I belong to. Draws were made at the end of the day. I didn't win any, but Patricia did!</div>
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After lunch we were treated to a keynote speech from Terry Fallis, author of The Best Laid Plans and two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. He is a huge fan of being a Plotter when he writes his books. In fact, he plans them in great detail before he writes something I don't think I could ever do! I'm part plotter, part pantser. One thing he said that surprised many people in attendance was that he still works full time. After writing seven novels and receiving many awards, he still must hold a 9-to-5 job.</div>
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I was a bit concerned about the afternoon session. The handouts we'd received the week before suggested a very academic-style of session. Luckily, Kate Freiman, author of romantic fiction, was entertaining and the whole afternoon was more interesting than I expected. She discussed blending genres and story structure. Hard to believe I was the only self-professed mystery writer in the room.</div>
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Back in the main banquet room afterward, winning tickets were drawn for the gift baskets then my friend and I left. On the way out the door, we received a swag bag with some bookmarks and the like as well as three books. These were mine!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6HNCZjIijB0NCN97CuH1hgiOMRsOUo_nKVzrYHa490nrivkzn3i0mEDalaQWludWlKw5YL6Y1co22TwVoo0pUwbCkNpTA6aFH8mS8xeSSORjBEHBMQtJEzj3B3bxg7c5NHewDNVQ7SM0/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1280" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6HNCZjIijB0NCN97CuH1hgiOMRsOUo_nKVzrYHa490nrivkzn3i0mEDalaQWludWlKw5YL6Y1co22TwVoo0pUwbCkNpTA6aFH8mS8xeSSORjBEHBMQtJEzj3B3bxg7c5NHewDNVQ7SM0/s320/books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Lac Athabasca</i> (a play) by Len Falkenstein</li>
<li><i>Doc Christmas </i>by Neil Enock</li>
<li><i>Mad Men and Philosphy,</i> which is an anthology.</li>
</ol>
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Yay! More new-to-me authors!</div>
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I have one year until the next (fingers crossed!) York Writers Conference. I may do some searching and find a couple more I can fit into my schedule. </div>
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In the meantime, I won't quit my day job, but I won't stop dreaming and writing either!</div>
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Looking for more New-to-You authors or familiar authors? Visit my blog every Sunday for Escape with a Writer Sunday at <a href="https://dbator.blogspot.com/">https://dbator.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Feel free to check out my books at <a href="http://bookswelove.net/authors/bator-diane-mystery/">http://bookswelove.net/authors/bator-diane-mystery/</a></div>
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<a href="http://penspaintsandpaper.com/index.html">Diane Bator</a></div>
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author of Wild Blue Mysteries, Gilda Wright Mysteries, and Glitter Bay Mysteries.</div>
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Diane Bator, Author & Book Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693609714074043580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-14833438442653826242019-10-27T19:09:00.000-05:002019-10-27T19:09:39.689-05:00Meetings October 5th and October 20th<br />
<b><u>October 5, 2019</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
Virginia informed us that the anthology is too short. Some people only gave one submission. You are able to submit more than one piece of writing so if you have more, please forward them to Virginia. We have extended the deadline to December 31st. If we still don't have enough pages to make a book we will hold it over until next year.<br />
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Marilyn is holding a free workshop on self-publishing at the Orangeville Public Library on Saturday, November 9th from 10am-2pm. Register with Shannon McGrady at smcgrady@orangeville.ca.<br />
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On Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 7pm, join the library for An Evening with Maureen Jennings. Maureen is the creator of The Murdoch Mysteries. She will be discussing her new book Heat Wave.<br />
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<u>Prompts</u><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>The Trouble with Turkeys and Other Table Terrors</u></div>
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1. The trouble with turkey is....</div>
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2. Never make a pumpkin pie with the insides of a Jack O' Lantern.</div>
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3. My mother-in-law finally gave me her recipe for stuffing. Now I know why they can't get enough of it.</div>
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4. How was I supposed to know candied yams weren't made with candy?\</div>
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5. I thought it would be great to pick up some fresh corn from the stand outside the farm, but when I peeled back the husks, I was shocked at what I found.</div>
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6. Usually I open a can and let gravity pull out the gelatinous mold we know as cranberry sauce, but with my son bringing his gourmet chef girlfriend for Thanksgiving this year, I knew I had to step up my game.</div>
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7. Gravy can usually cover a multitude of culinary sins, but this year I was going to have to make mine using holy water.</div>
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<b><u>October 20, 2019</u></b></div>
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Diane has HWG mugs available for purchase.</div>
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<u>Prompts</u></div>
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1. While driving my car, I noticed....</div>
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2. When I was a teenager, all I wanted was....</div>
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3. What the hell are you doing here?</div>
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4. When the judge looked at me I prayed for the first time in many years.</div>
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5. When I awoke on the couch this morning I didn't know where I was.</div>
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6. The rain came on so suddenly I couldn't...</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Next Meeting is Sunday, November 3rd</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>1:30pm to 3:30pm</b></span></div>
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Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-41287502696791354202019-09-26T21:29:00.000-05:002019-09-26T21:29:10.701-05:00Writing Prompts<br />
Writing Prompts from the past 3 meetings:<br />
<br />
<u>August 18th</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
1. ABCDFEGMNRWY - write a piece using words in sequence beginning with these letters.<br />
2. Repeat as above using letters in reverse order: YWRNMGEFDCBA,.<br />
3. Repeat exercise 1 using the letters from the word HIPPOPOTAMUS.<br />
4. Repeat as in exercise 2 using the letters SUMATOPOPPIH.<br />
5. Use words generated in exercises 1-4 in any order to write a short story. You may throw in words of your own choosing to be creative in this part of the exercise (try to include as many of your words as possible).<br />
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<u>September 8th</u><br />
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1. I don't know how to tell my friend that I'm imaginary.<br />
2. Jim receives a note under the door and is intrigued, especially because it's the closet door.<br />
3. She packed the box carefully.<br />
4. He was great at starting things, but not so good at finishing them.<br />
5. She pushed the cart through the automatic doors and steeled herself for the task ahead.<br />
6. All the world is a stage.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>September 28th</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
1. Think of one of your favourite possessions. Do one of the following:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Write about why it is special to you.</li>
<li>Make up a story about its history.</li>
<li>Imagine you are from another planet and found this item while exploring. Write about the item from that point of view.</li>
<li>Imagine you are an archaeologist in the future and find this article in a dig. Write about your observations and conclusions.</li>
<li>Imagine that in a time experiment gone wrong, the article was sent back to prehistoric or ancient times. Write a story about someone living at that time finding it.</li>
</ol>
<div>
2. I never believed in love at first sight until it happened to me.</div>
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3. Grace had mixed feelings about going to her high school reunion. She had few happy memories of her teenage years. But she was curious how her classmates had turned out.</div>
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<br /></div>
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4. When I was a kid, I was afraid of the dark. That's when the monsters came out. My dad told me there was no such thing as monsters. "See?" he said, turning off the light. "No monsters." He couldn't see them, even while they were reaching for him. He didn't see them as they followed him down the dark hall. He didn't notice when they turned around and came back toward me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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5. May people dream of exotic holidays, cruising down the Rhine or around the Caribbean, exploring the streets of Rome or Paris, tramping through the Scottish Highlands or the jungles of the Yucatan. Yet if they looked, they would find at their own doorstep sights to attract the most fervent tourist.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Next Meeting</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, October 6th, 1:30-3:30pm</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-25800184907820709642019-09-26T21:12:00.000-05:002019-09-26T21:32:01.267-05:00Meeting Updates<br />
I know I haven't posted meeting notes for the past few meetings so I am going to try and summarize what has been discussed at the last few meetings.<br />
<br />
We have created a coffee mug of The Headwaters Writers' Guild for promotional purposes. If you are interested in purchasing a mug, we need to order at least 10 of them to keep the price down to $10. We will not order unless we have 10 orders. Pictures of both sides are below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99UbmN8Se6sxM-h-zJ8XU1oCYe9biyY_nMD0estRYV2BMHv5IuDH8xvOAMLgSonuHB-tEUJs83VGNdlG0aFmbizV338rYwo9CkkYe-q61_dqONoNUuEeICVRpW5cSkLBkbnHMMimiLA8/s1600/HWG+mug2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="864" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99UbmN8Se6sxM-h-zJ8XU1oCYe9biyY_nMD0estRYV2BMHv5IuDH8xvOAMLgSonuHB-tEUJs83VGNdlG0aFmbizV338rYwo9CkkYe-q61_dqONoNUuEeICVRpW5cSkLBkbnHMMimiLA8/s200/HWG+mug2.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuz3QEl4Rn-szv7GcNP5j6jD8wXoluA8wFaPZuOv2q78JBGMwVaYIzuHNFjvZCQUJQ2uw6lNLsziVI5Zeqg19XYSWfC7KZWTdPesMP16o56imxx7k7caUjQbitAwAhg6ZBmj7ku400TE/s1600/HWG+mug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="864" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuz3QEl4Rn-szv7GcNP5j6jD8wXoluA8wFaPZuOv2q78JBGMwVaYIzuHNFjvZCQUJQ2uw6lNLsziVI5Zeqg19XYSWfC7KZWTdPesMP16o56imxx7k7caUjQbitAwAhg6ZBmj7ku400TE/s200/HWG+mug.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Please contact Patricia at hwg5.writers@gmail.com to add your name to the list.<br />
<br />
<b>The CBC Short Story Contest</b> deadline is drawing near. The deadline is October 31st. Here is the link: <a href="https://www.contestshub.com/cbc-short-story-contest-2019.html">https://www.contestshub.com/cbc-short-story-contest-2019.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>The Caledon Public Library</b> will be accepting submissions from October 1st to October 31st. The link is here: <a href="http://caledon.library.on.ca/adult/short/story">http://caledon.library.on.ca/adult/short/story</a><br />
<br />
THIS SATURDAY, September 28th, 1:00pm to 3:00pm, <b>The Orangeville Public Library</b> as part of their WOW program is holding a Crime Writers Panel. Please come out and support if you can.<br />
<br />
<b>The Orangeville Public Library</b> has 3 <b>writing workshops</b> this fall. Marilyn Kleiber will be the instructor for the Saturday, October 5th workshop (10am-2pm). This workshop is called <i>"Building Words: Make your stories possess life and entertain your readers"</i>. Please register at the library at www.orangevillelibrary.ca.<br />
<br />
Two more workshops take place on Saturday, November 9th, 10am-2pm, <i>"Self-publishing: Difficult to find a publisher to accept your manuscript? Learn how to do it yourself - professionally."</i> And the third on Sunday, November 24th, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, <i>"Writing is a Contact Sport: Good writing doesn't happen in isolation. A writer needs to get out and explore and connect with themselves, the world and the things we can't always see."</i><br />
<br />
As we continue to work on producing our new anthology, discussion was brought up about possibly creating a writing prompt book with space for writing, and possibly producing a new one every year. It was decided that we would focus on our current project and reconsider another book next year.<br />
<br />
Prompts from the past 3 meetings will be in a separate post.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Our Next Meeting is</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, October 6, 2019, 1:30-3:30pm</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<br />Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-66329466769550158042019-09-14T06:29:00.003-05:002019-09-14T06:29:54.337-05:00Write-a-thon for CharityOk. Just sending out a feeler here. If I were to organize a 12-hour
write-a-thon for charity in the late spring of next year (details to be
determined and announced), how many of you would be interested in
participating? Please email me at harryposner@rogers.com, if you're intrigued and excited by the idea. Cheers, all!harry posnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651824315679138578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138784220186721085.post-87147709550732077952019-07-18T13:11:00.001-05:002019-07-18T13:11:38.609-05:00Meeting Sunday, July 14th, 2019<br />
There was continued discussion about the anthology's cover, title and a foreword. Submissions should be emailed to Virginia in a word document by September 1, 2019.<br />
<br />
Judy shared some of her Haiku poems with us before providing us with the following details and prompts:<br />
<br />
A haiku is a short poem - just three lines long - that uses language to capture feelings or images. Haiku poetry was originally developed by Japanese poets. The poems are often inspired by nature, a moment of beauty, a poignant experience, etc.<br />
<br />
THE STRUCTURE: A haiku poem is only three lines long.<br />
The first line has <b>five</b> syllables<br />
The second line has <b>seven </b>syllables<br />
And the third line has <b>five</b> syllables<br />
These limitations will actually help you find just the right words to capture the essence or mood of the subject of the poem<br />
<br />
BRAINSTORM SOME IDEAS AND DIVE IN<br />
<br />
OR<br />
<br />
1. After she died, I slept with her little yellow pyjamas under my pillow, and sometimes I'd see her scamper through my dreams, an arm's length ahead of me.<br />
<br />
2. She tried not to lose herself in infatuation, but being with Darren took her away from the cloud of uncertainty and unrest at home.<br />
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3. When she looked at the house from the driveway, unease scuttled through her.<br />
<br />
4. Like all teenagers, I was embarrassed by my mother - the way she dressed, her weird friends - and I was afraid of what my friends might think of her.<br />
<br />
5. She loved going to Aunt Florence's house when she was a child - it was like a museum, every piece of furniture, every painting was like a story yearning to be told. But now she had inherited it, all of it, and something did not feel right, and then there was the dream she had, where Aunt Florence, all in a dither, seemed to be trying to warn her...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>Next Meeting:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sunday, August 18th, 2019</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>1:30pm</b></span></div>
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<br />Mary Patricia Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319220976153289327noreply@blogger.com0