Natasha Deen's Blog, page 47

Of Grenades & Bagels

Years and years ago, when I was living in hell and a good day was when I was speared by the pitchfork seven times instead of nine, I went to the café by my work to buy a bagel. The woman set it on the grill and let it toast. Then later, as she reached for it, she dropped it on the floor.

A quick side look (she didn’t notice me right behind her), she picked it up, buttered it.

And I’m watching this, a small voice in my head is screaming, raging…but it has no volume. I can barely hear it. The big...

When the Writing Doesn’t Work

I try to find shade amongst the hot light of frustration, and this usually involves me downloading music…both because the kind of music I listen to can give me a hint of where I am emotionally (Frustrated? Sad?) and because a song has 3 minutes (give or take) to get a story across, and because song writers have the kind of metaphorical genius that makes me want to buy them endless cups of coffee if they’ll teach me how they think. Plus, I like the gestalt of music–how lyrics and melody combin...

And Suddenly

You’re sitting in a room with a bunch of writers from different backgrounds and lifestyles, talking about characters & plot…and everything falls away–the problems with your current manuscript, the stuff with the car, the messy office–and it hits all over again, as great as the first time, as sweet as the last time: You have the best job in the world.

Never Thought I Would Say This…

but thank God for elliptical machines.

I’ve been working on the RWiR manuscript, but in a larger capacity, working on myself. My April schedule has meant my usual routine (writing at 4 AM) doesn’t always work. It’s an unfamiliar thing to reinvent myself in such a trivial way, but some days I have to write at 2 PM…and it’s dang weird…

My brain’s not used to this, my whole being is completely weirded out. Not to mention, I’ve tossed down a challenge to myself to step out of my comfort zone and do...

It’s Official

The song to listen to when the writing is more pain than pleasure? Fall Out Boy’s My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark…perfect mix of lyrics, rhythm, and chaos.

The Post that will Probably Get Me in Trouble

Lawrence Hill has an article in the Edmonton Journal, “Burned in Amsterdam, author fires back.“. It’s a must read and the basic idea: his reaction to learning his book “Book of Negros” (title based on a historical document) was burned by the Foundation Honor and Restore Victims of Slavery in Suriname on June 22, 2011.

In the article, he speaks of his reaction & his sadness, “And it hurts, frankly, when your own people reject you, or tell you that you don’t belong, or challenge the very identit...

2013 Foothills YA Conference

Three of the amazing volunteers who worked so hard for this day.

Thanks to Mary Donaldson for all she and her volunteers did to make this event SO AMAZING!

The lovely illustrator Lorna Bennett & me.

James Grasdal, illustrator & fun dude!

BC boy & illustrator Tim Huesken

Two always captivating authors, Derek Donais & Jacqueline Guest

My lunchmates & wonderful people: Directrice Ginette Beaulieu (left) & my session helper, teacher Anna, with rock n’ roll author, Sigmund Brouwer

Derek Mah, illustrator...

My Diplomatic Credentials, Please

Wowsa, trying to negotiate a peace with the dogs now that we’ve implemented the “no puppies on the bed” policy has me feeling a sudden kinship for Jimmy Carter. The dogs woke me up at 11:30–”Can we come up, now?”

“No, go to bed.”

1:30 AM: “How about now?”

“No, go to bed.”

3:30 AM: “Now?”

“Seriously, no.”

5:00 AM: “Look, Mom, if we don’t get to sleep on the bed, neither do you.”

And so, I’m awake, awake, despite my attempt to sleep in because of the road trip later today…

To recap the score: Puppies –...

Shel Silverstein was a GENIUS!

Man, proof that great writing can be simple writing. One of my favorite poems of all time…

Sunshine Award

Thanks to Stacy D. Holmes for the Sunshine Award: The Sunshine Award is a lovely sunny flower that bloggers give to other “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere”.

And like any award, there are rules….

(1) Thank the person who gave you the award in your blog post.

(2) Do the Q&A below

(3) Pass on the award to deserving and inspiring bloggers, inform them and link to their blogs.

Favorite Color:Depends on my mood

Favorite Animal:Cats and dogs tie for first

Favorite...