Natasha Deen's Blog, page 54

As the Year Ends…

Yesterday, I got to thinking how much knowing the writing format really does prepare you for the world…on my eighteenth birthday, I went to the hill that overlooked the lake by our house & pen in hand, sketched out my goals for the next five years (because that’s what every just-turned-eighteen-year-old does, right?).

I can’t remember the goals, but I’m sure they were orderly & pragmatic: get my degree, start my master’s, get married…got none of them accomplished, but undeterred, every year si...

Volunteer & Win

Want to help out a literacy organization AND get a chance to rub shoulders with some Alberta authors?

The Young Alberta Book Society needs volunteers for its 2013 casino on January 15 & 16th. A few authors (like myself) will be donating our time. Join us! There are a few shifts to choose from:

11:00am-7:00pm

6:45pm-2:30am or 3:00am

Count room, however, is a half-shift that runs about 9:45pm-2:45am.

If you can help, please contact Stephanie or Jen at 780.422.8232

#YEG Authors Around Town

Matt Prins & I at the goodbye event for EPL’s 2012 Writer in Resident, Jocelyn Brown.

Marty Chan at the launch of his new book, Barnabas Bigfoot: A Hairy Tangle.

Author C-Anne Robertson displaying her bookmaking skills.

Talented authors, Joan Marie Galat & Karen Spafford Fitz showing the true meaning of Christmas: cookies.

Sci-Fi author Hal Friesen at Edmonton’s independent bookstore, Audreys on Jasper Avenue.

Storyteller Kathy Jessup, armed with what every writer needs: a good book & juice box.

Me...

RWiR FAQs

1) Who can come and see you?

Absolutely anyone! Whether you’re young or young at heart, my office is open to anyone who wants to talk about books and writing…or share really bad puns. (One mushroom’s talking to the other and says, “I don’t get why she dumped me. After all, I’m a fun guy.” Baahahaha! Get it? Get it? Fun guy—Fungi—fun—okay, I’ll stop, now…)

2) Do I have to have writing to come and see you?

Nope. If you want to do some brainstorming, vent about a rejection, worry about a submission...

Writer in Residence Peek

Interviews with me and Omar with The Edmonton Examiner & Metro News

Officially Official – Metro Edmonton Writer in Residence Announced

In three weeks, I’ll be opening my mouth and taking a big bite of the Writer in Residence apple. I’m excited & terrified, which is only right. The excitement should be there, but so should the terror.

I’m about to hold people’s manuscripts and writing dreams in my hands, and that’s no small thing. Yesterday, I had a chance to talk with Heather McIntyre from Metro News & Dale Boyd from the Edmonton Examiner, and both had the same question, “Why did you apply for this job?”

My answer was simple:...

Writing as Weather

Another universal reminder about the nature of writing…I had to go into St. Albert for an appointment–no biggie, it’s a 1/2 hour drive.

However, coming home was a completely different story. A snowstorm hit the city and left me in white-out conditions. I can’t see more than a car length in front of me, there ‘s no horizon because the sky and ground are the same washed out grey color, thick snow’s falling–pushed sideways by the wind, my back windshield is covered, snow’s blocking the side windo...

4 Stars for TG 2!

“What shines is the relatable human emotions that emanate from each character we encounter, and the humor with which the characters interact and react to one another. Set in a world that is artfully crafted and described with familiar and fantastical objects intermingled to allow the reader’s imagination to grasp onto and delve into the story…the true emotional ups and downs will keep you turning pages hoping for her [Aponi's] happy ending.” ~ I Am, Indeed

The Next Big Thing – Blog Hop/Tag

What is the working title of your book?

Urk. It doesn’t have a title—only a genre: women’s fiction.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I’m West Indian and there are a ton of really interesting superstitions I wanted to talk about…

What genre does your book fall under?

Women’s fiction

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Lol, I’d just be so thrilled they were making into a movie, I wouldn’t care!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Wow. Ask the...

Rant & Rave

Am I the only one that gets these Apple updates to i-Tunes (& the like) that promise to be more intuitive but you find them LESS intuitive? I want back my old i-Tunes. That one, I understood!

In other, less-ranting news, I’m interviewed by Kristy Centeno: http://booksbycenteno.com/2012/12/04/interview-with-author-natasha-deen/