Headwaters Writers' Guild In-Person Meetings Resume

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:

July 17

August 21

September 11

September 25

October 16

October 30

November 13

November 27

Testing

 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.

Thank you for hanging in there with us.

Diane Bator New Release ALL THAT SHINES

 

INTRODUCING BOOK 2 IN MY 
GLITTER BAY MYSTERY SERIES

Vintage Sage was a peaceful, one woman operation until Sage Miller’s sister Laken moved to Glitter Bay. Now they feature gently loved items with a side of mystery.

ALL THAT SHINES!

Book 2:  All That Shines (April 2021)

Sage Miller is knee deep in fashion designers—whether she wants them in her new vintage boutique or not.

One winds up dead.

Another isn’t what he seems.

A third is treasure hunting.

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.

To Buy:

Amazon.com     https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W2J3LBQ?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

BWL Publishing Ltd.     https://www.bookswelove.com/bator-diane/

Reviews:

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 ~  Maggie Kirton, Award-winning, bestselling author.

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! ~ L. MacGregor

Want to join me for a chat about writing February 21? 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

Click on the link for more information: 

https://wcyork.ca/event/write-what-you-know-then-give-it-a-twist-with-diane-bator/

Writing Groups Go Online by Diane Bator

Happy New Year!

Have you made any resolutions this year?

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.

First of all, restrictions relaxed. I felt less afraid to be outside and walk. Walking always loosens up my creative energy.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

So how do all these things helps with my writing? 

I have designated times to write. 

I have new people to write with.

I get awesome ideas for my books.

I get encouragement!

Since I work from home, I get to see familiar faces once or twice a week.

How do you plan to move forward with your dreams and goals in 2021?

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. 

I hope you will also check out my personal blog http://dbator.blogspot.ca/ 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.

Have a wonderful New Year and let me know what you plan to do to reach your goals in 2021!

Diane Bator

http://bookswelove.net/bator-diane/

http://penspaintsandpaper.com

Reading and Writing in "Times Like These" by Diane Bator

                                        

 Who hasn't said at least once a day, "If I had more time, I'd..." 

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..."

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. 

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.

After the first week, I was able to focus for short stints of time on editing a couple books I'd written. Drop Dead Cowboy 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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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!

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! 

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. 

Speaking of, I have pages to write and blogs to post!

Stay healthy and well and keep on reading!

Diane Bator

http://penspaintsandpaper.com

http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Belief vs. Truth

People say they love truth, but in reality they want to believe that which they love is true  - Robert J. Ringer

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

Write a story about how the character came to accept their belief, how their belief was challenged and how they responded to the challenge.

1. Sherry believes that she can leave her past behind her if she moves but the truth is.....
2. John believes that Lucy loves him but the truth is....
3. Nathan believes he's found his BFF when he meets Tyler but the truth is....
4. Amanda believes that there are fairies living in the garden but the truth is...
5. Donna believes her seven year old son has an active imagination but the truth is...
6. Veronica believes her husband is the CEO of a large company but the truth is...
7. Danny believes that the medicine he's taking will cure him but the truth is...
8. Christopher believes that his new job is the answer he's been looking for but the truth is...
9. Hanna believes that her ancestry is the same as her parents but the truth is...
10. Jimmy believes that he can manage his addiction but the truth is...

OR

Choose a belief that you have. Ask yourself why you believe that. 

What would happen if your belief was challenged? How would you react?

Until we meet again!

Happy Writing Everyone!

Stay Well ❤️💙💜

Sonja😎

April 19, 2020 Writing Prompts & Info

We may not be able to meet in person, but we're still hoping to continue the inspiration and motivation.

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.

Writing Prompts:

1. After a long, hard winter, I couldn't wait to walk in the woods.

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.

3. "What's that, Mommy?" My four-year-old daughter pointed at empty space.

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.

5.  As he hurried through the dark street, he hunched against the eyes seeking him. Phantom  fingers brushed his spine, wracking him with shudders.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stay tuned for more information on when we will be able to resume meetings and possible events.