The last few months have been brutal for me. Writing has taken a second seat. I am hoping to dive back into the writing as my life enters a new phase.

My world has changed. My father entered the hospital in November, and did not come home. On the 27th he passed away. Meanwhile, my dog, Daisy, had been losing weight. Both the vet and I thought it was due to the passing of my dad, whom she saw on a daily basis. Little did we realize Daisy, too, was ill. It became a challenge to find Daisy something she would eat, and then the weekend of my birthday in February, she began coughing - I thought she would throw up with the force of her coughs. So in the middle of a blizzard I drove her to the vet. On the way, I was rear-ended and my bike rack and hitch, plus the bumper of my car were totaled. I am currently waiting for my repair date in April.

Once at the vet, the vet said Daisy didn't have an infection, so x-rays and blood tests were ordered. By the time I left the vet, I was shell shocked. Daisy had an enlarged heart and fluid in her lungs (hence the panting she had been doing, which I thought was caused by her winter coat). Medications were started, and she rallied enough to go for one last, lovely walk down our rail trail. I was thrilled the meds were working. However, after that day, she spiraled downhill. Her breathing became very laboured, and she wanted out in the wee hours of the morning - she tried to hide behind the shed, I think, to find a place to die. It began raining, so in my housecoat with an umbrella in hand, I fetched her back into the house and dried her off. Instead of her usual trip through the living room, she made a beeline for my bed, and spent 2 hours with me. It was an agonizing 2 hours as I waited for the vet to open at 8:00 am. I suspect she actually had a heart attack while she was with me. The vet had me bring her in, and  my brother drove us over.

I came home without her...

The house is silent...

Life goes on, and now I am adjusting to these two major losses in my life. I am starting to regain focus. It's hard, but I know it will get easier. I am happy that I am in the middle of a story. It will give me something that will redirect my thoughts.

I have been remiss in writing on my website - but life, lately, has been getting in the way. However, I have been slooowly adding to Twisted Destiny, book 4 in the Anandrian Series. Ideas and plot twists are constantly invading my mind, even when I'm asleep. I'm loving how my two male principle fairies are turning out - they are NOT very likable. Poor Paul has just found himself on Earth, separated from Michael, BUT in the presence of an intriguing Earth woman (we may have to wait for book 5 to find out more about this - Dark Destiny is the title I have in mind for this novel). Yes, the new novel, Twisted Destiny, is progressing nicely despite my slow progress. Sometimes you just have to ruminate to get the best ideas.

Whoever said retirement is boring... well, I'm not sure how I did everything when I was working! I have been an avid bike rider this summer, as my dog, Daisy, has developed arthritis in her hips, so I bought a dog trailer for her to get her out (and to get in my exercise). She LOVES going for bike rides. People always get a smile when they see her head popping out of the top of the trailer. I am also teaching a ukulele class at my local library, playing in a ukulele band, and caring for my parents as their health is declining now that they have hit their 90's! I often wish there were more than 24 hours in a day. I find it frustrating that bed beckons quite often when I'm on a roll.

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I am excited to say that the re-write I was doing on several chapters of Twisted Destiny is done! It's amazing how when one small item is changed it affects everyone else in the story. It is also amazing how the story is starting to flow easily since I made that change. I wrote an entire chapter last night, and I hardly had to think about the words my pen was scratching out - mind you, I haven't read them in the light of day yet, so they may have been better last night, than they will be today. LOL.

I even solved a problem I was having with an event in my story when I was out riding my bike with my dog (yes, she goes with me in a trailer since she has developed arthritic hips). The next chapter I write will put into play my solution - and I think it's a great solution.

On another note, I spent last Thursday afternoon at Hamilton Public Library's Central Branch. Rama Kaba was also there for book signings and and a writing workshop for teens. We had a fabulous time with library employee, Carol, hosting the event. Unfortunately, no teens showed up for the workshop, but the three of us had a long overdue visit along with a patron who sat down with us and grilled us about our books and writing. Altogether a delightful afternoon.

As noted in a previous post, I have altered the actions of one character, and that, in turn, has altered what other characters are doing in the fourth book in the Anandrian Series, Twisted Destiny. As a result, I have been doing a major rewrite. Which means, I have been rereading and editing as I go. There were parts I read that I wondered, "Why did I write that piece of garbage?" Then I would "fix" it up. And after a while, I began to doubt my work - is it good enough? Will people enjoy and follow the story easily?

Well, tonight, I started reading a book that I took out from the library. The blurb on the back intrigued me. I was ready to immerse myself in a great story. Then I started reading...

OMG! The dialogue was stilted and seemed really immature. The actions of the characters were equally bad. The acknowledgments at the beginning of the book told me that the author had an agent representing her, and a publishing team behind the book. How did the book get this far? This was the thought that kept going through my head as I read the story - and I read about 30 pages just in case it got better.

It is closing in on 2:00 am, and I felt compelled to look at my manuscript for Twisted Destiny, and I can say with great relief, that my writing, in my eyes, passes for the story that I want it to be. Sure it needs polishing, but even before that happens, it reads so much better than the book I attempted to read tonight. My doubts have vanished.

So, I have to thank the author of the book I attempted to read tonight. In my isolation, I let insecurities sneak into my consciousness - but now, after comparing what I have written with what I have read tonight, I have no more doubts about the story I am creating. Hopefully, my reading team will also find Twisted Destiny entertaining when I send them the latest updates.

P.S. I've been looking for a twisted wand that Laura, my daughter and artist for the covers of my books, could draw. I picture it as being dark and gnarly - very ugly. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to find a stick that matches this description. I need to get out in the woods. If you find such a nasty looking stick I would love to see a photo of it.

I did not realize how much of the original manuscript I would have to change when I altered what had happened to the fairy king in Twisted Destiny, book 4 of the Anandrian Series. I've virtually been doing a total rewrite to make it right. I only have a few pages to go until I can get into completely new material. But I'm so glad I have done this as the story is much better than it was before.

Coming up, I will be with Rama Kaba (she has two books of poetry published) at Central Hamilton Public Library on August 17. Each of us will have copies of our books available for sale, starting at 12 noon. Later in the afternoon, Rama and I will be working  with teens who wish to enter the Power of the Pen competition the library holds every year.

And for those of you who want to occasionally step outside the world of books, I will be teaching the ukulele at Sherwood Library starting the week after Labour Day. This class will be for seniors, and the class will run every Thursday at 2 pm for 8 weeks. There is no cost, and ukuleles will be provided if you don't have one. Of course instruments are limited, so you must register ahead of time. People can bring their own ukes if they want to.

That's all my news for now.

 Two chapters of Twisted Destiny have been rewritten, and I'm loving how the King of the Fairies is turning out. He's a truly unlikable character who actually started off life as a good guy.

Only 24 more pages to go through, then I can continue on with the story.

Meanwhile, in my real life, I have been busy. I have conducted a workshop at 2 different branches of the Hamilton Public Library. The workshop was: How To Hook Your Reader. The feedback from the people who attended the workshop has been very favourable.

On May 8th and May 15th, at 7:00 pm, I will be at the Sherwood branch of the Hamilton Public Library doing another workshop. This one is short story writing with the goal of producing a story suitable to enter into the annual Polar Expressions competition. Polar Expressions is a Canadian publishing company, and only Canadians can enter - for free. They publish the top 33% of the stories they receive in an anthology - I have had 4 stories published with them. The first night of the workshop we will look at the requirements for the competition, and go over how to write a short story. I will be providing many story starters for those that need a nudge. Then, on the second night, people will bring in their stories to read and get suggestions from the group about their story.

I will be repeating this workshop at the Kenilworth branch on May 18th and May 25th at 6:30 pm.

This week I will be starting a new SENIOR Ukulele Beginner Class at the Stoney Creek branch of the Hamilton Public Library. It will go for 8 weeks culminating in a concert for friends and family. The library owns 15 ukuleles, so this is a great opportunity to try it out and see if you like it. The course is free, and will run every Thursday at 1:00 for an hour. I ran this course for the first time back in Jan/Feb and the students had great success. Plus, once you have completed the course, you are more than welcome to join up with the Sackville Hill Ukulele Band. The band is composed of all seniors, and we go out a couple of times a month to perform at senior residences, schools, libraries etc.

And if you miss this, or don't live in the neighbourhood, I will be running the SENIOR Ukulele Beginner Class again at the Sherwood branch in September.

Back to the writing...

This morning, I visited the Chartwell Deerview Senior Residence as an author. I had a lovely group of ladies who listened to me speak about the Anandrian Series, then we had an interesting chat afterwards. A very enjoyable morning.

For now, that's all. Stay tuned for more.

Spring has sprung and so, too, has spring cleaning.

While cleaning out my computer room, I came across various points I had jotted down regarding my latest novel that I am currently writing, Twisted Destiny, book 4 of the Anandrian Series. Much to my delight/dismay, the introduction to my fairy king, Phelan the Wolf, and the dimension of Faerie he created, has to change due to my discovery. I have uncovered notes I don't remember writing that give a much better backstory for this unlikable character and make him much darker than the character I have written. So, now I am backtracking to all the chapters where Phelan appears and I am rewriting... Agh!

However, I must say, I am really pleased with the results so far.

After a long nonproductive period, the ideas are starting up again and I find I want to write. Sometimes, no matter how much you'd love to go on with a story, you just have to be patient and wait for the creative juices to flow...

Twisted Destiny may be taking its time to get on paper, but I think it will be worth it in the end.

Sun Mar 26, 2017
2:00PM

I will be taking part in sharing my work, along with others who work for the Hamilton Public Library (even though I've retired)!

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Drop InHPL Staff Writes!From Ancient Greece to paranormal romance, there is something for everyone. Library staff authors read from their books and works-in-progress.

What a busy new year, so far. Between ukulele band practices and performances, teaching a uke class, and trips to Mississauga to see the specialist vet for my dog (discovered she has arthritis in her hips), I seem to have run out of time for writing. As a result of Daisy's diagnosis, I have bought a new bike where you sit very upright so that you are not leaning on your hands (for my arthritic wrists) and I have bought a large dog trailer to go behind it. The trailer is sitting on my living room floor without wheels on it, so that Daisy can get used to going in and out of it - training, so she doesn't freak out, takes time! But I'm back, now. I have just spent the day working on Twisted Destiny, Book 4 of the Anandrian Series.

Since I have spent a lot of time away from my computer, I found it necessary to go back and reread what I had written. Good thing I did, too. There were a lot of changes I made to the original manuscript (I guess you could call it my first BIG edit). So that meant, today, I was making those changes. Once I was finished with the edits, I kept on going... And going... And going! I am VERY satisfied with the work I have accomplished today.

I think I have made the fairy prince, Phelan, fairly snarky, and his rival, Druce, kind of threatening and untrustworthy when it comes to his relationship with Ella. I know I will have fun with these characters - it's always more fun to write in the bad ones.

From the looks of this book, I think it will be much darker than the previous three. FUN, FUN, FUN! I kind of equate writing about bad characters as portraying the bad character on stage - it's always more fun to play the villain.

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's hoping that you had as wonderful a Christmas as I did, and that your new year will be happy and healthy.

I admit that Christmas is my favourite holiday, simply because it is the one time of the  year when every family member makes an effort to gather at the dinner table. We have a lovely meal on Christmas Eve, then various instruments make an appearance for the Christmas carols and songs we all sing together. After, those who have other obligations, take their leave and those of us left, get to have time to chat and catch up on our busy lives. Then after they leave, I am left with my 2 daughters, Laura and Diana, who spend the night and share a Christmas morning breakfast with me.

No wonder I love this holiday!

Now, the new year has begun, and I am looking forward to a bathroom renovation - which means, I am stuck at home - which means that I need to occupy my time doing something constructive. Hmmm... I have just re-read the 52 pages I have written in the 4th book of the Anandrian Series, Twisted Destiny, and have tweeked it as I went along. Loving the story that is emerging. Walking my dog, Daisy, today in the pouring rain, I had another great idea pop into my head. Fans are in for a shock as I separate a beloved couple - maybe for good. Oh the angst and mayhem...

We'll have to see how far I get in the story as the reno progresses.

Stay tuned!