G'day, who are you and why are you here?

[[deleted user]]

Renee wrote: "Hello, my name is Renee and I am Canadian. they say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Hmmm...no problems here. I am a Canadian author published in children's fiction. My p..."

If you finished your poutine (I really do prefer wine and cheese, but we discussed it before) I note that you have "book shelves" presumably from books of Canadian writers. Is there a way I can add my books (those already on Goodreads) onto your list? And if so, how?

[Stuart]

Whoops, I realized I began taking part in discussions here without ever introducing myself. I'm here because I like a lot of Canadian authors. I don't think them more than authors from other places, but I like 'em.

Also, I'm an author myself, like some others here. And I'm Canadian. I lived in Toronto all my life, until recently when I moved to small-town Ontario. I write fiction and poetry, and a bit of memoir/rant stuff. I make my living as a writer, editor, and writing instructor.

I consider myself a nationalist, only by necessity given that we're bumped up against a giant, but I'm not a nationalist when it comes to reading.

[Renee]

Welcome Stuart, if you don't mind me asking are you small town Ontario to the north or south of Toronto? It's rare I meet anyone here close to my small town, so I'm curious.

And I agree with you, nationalism shouldn't enter into your reading. A good book is a good book period.
Have you been writing long? I guess what I mean is 'seriously' writing. I've written forever but only considered it more than a hobby for about two years now.

[Renee]

Never mind that question, I just had a look at your books, obviously you've written for some time now. They look interesting, I'll have to check them out.

[Stuart]

Thanks, Renee. I'm living east of Toronto. About halfway between Toronto and Kingston, in Cobourg. It's just been a few months and I'm undergoing culture shock: but getting a lot of reading and writing done!

I'll answer your question anyway: I've been writing since I was a kid, and though I considered myself "seriously" writing, it wasn't until just a few years ago that I felt I could answer "writer" when people asked me what I did.

What happened that moved your own writing from hobby to something more serious? Did you begin sending out submissions? Revising drafts obsessively? Devoting more time to writing? I think there's a real blur of the border between writing as hobby and writing more seriously.

[Renee]

You live just a skip and a jump from me. I live North of Belleville, in Tweed. I spent many summers in Cobourg and yes, that would be quite a shock for you after living in Toronto for so long.

I quit work almost three years ago to stay home with my kids and started a daycare in my home to make end meet. My youngest is hearing impaired and had a lot of other medical issues, so it was a necessity that one of us be home. I had never not worked outside the house and was so bored. Kids keep you busy, but there is little mental stimulation. I was able to devote more of my time to writing and one of my friends asked why didn't I start submitting some of it to publishers. Of course, I thought she was nuts, but what did I have to lose?

I have learned tons since then and most of it due to this site and the many authors I've met here and in the On Fiction Writing group. I guess you could say its only been the past year that I've really grown serious, and my writing has improved by leaps and bounds because finally, everything is sinking in.

I've always written, poetry, short stories, etc. because I couldn't imagine not writing. Now it's with more focus, and I have been published and although its been difficult (one awful publisher and an extremely dishonest agent nearly had me throwing my hands up in disgust and forgetting the whole thing) I can't imagine doing anything else.
Yes, I revise drafts until my eyes blur and I can't stand to read another word of them. Then I send them out. I'm hoping soon I'll see a novel published rather than shorts and children's work.

There is a blur between hobby and 'a job', is it when you begin making money? Is it when you turn your mind to learning the craft and honing your skills? Is it when you've published? I don't know. I know many writers who publish one book and never do anything else. I guess it's a personal thing, individual to each person.

[A.J.]

The more serious I get, the less money I make.

I made a full-time living at writing before I got serious about it.

[Renee]

Haha. Sad but true A.J.

[Renee]

I want to thank Shannon for being brave enough to help out as moderator for our little group. Everyone wave, she's up there in the corner. **waves**

I brought some wine and um..cookies. Sorry, I tried for Belgian chocolates, but they kept disappearing on the way here. Anyway big thanks Shannon, I look forward to our 'little' group growing and I think you'll make an awesome mod.

Also, as an added note, I'd like to welcome ideas once more from everyone else. What would you like to see in the group? Anything about Canadian authors, or even Canada in general you'd like to add, discuss, debate (yikes, debate sounds like trecherous territory).

I'm also toying with the idea of contests, but I'm just not sure what to do for the prizes, I'd also welcome ideas for that. I mean I can knit you guys a scarf or two, maybe a pot holder or even craft a lovely ashtray or bowlish thing, but really that's all I have. Oh wait a minute, I have a lovely paperback copy of Menage-a-20, and it's just sitting here waiting for me to give it away to someone. If there are books you'd like to win, books you'd like to post as prizes, contest ideas, please suggest away.

[Michelle]

Hello everybody, my nick-name is Milly, and I write under the pen name of M.L Hebert. I live in Calgary Alberta, and am such a prairie girl, even though I was born in B.C.
Right now I am writing a Y.A/Adult novel right now called Emma's Party, and at the moment, I have not found any publishers but self-publishing ones like lulu.com, which is great for people like me.
I love writing reading, and always have loved it, even from a young age. I am only in high school, but I dream big. My novel at this point is 151 pages and growing.
Why am I here in this group? Well, I am Canadian through and through. I love being Canadian and have no plans to change that status. I am also trying to become a Canadian "Author". So. That about sums it up.


(Great group people!)

[Renee]

Welcome to our little group Milly. I am very impressed that you are so focused, not because you're 'young' but high school is a very busy time. To be able to focus enough to have finished more than half of a novel is really amazing.

Anyway, glad to have you aboard. Keep writing.

[Erma]

Renee. Contest, prizes what a good idea! Would love to win a copy of Menage-a-20, a scarf, a pot holder. Would also be willing to put up Wave of Terror. Entering to win is fun. Would you pick entries randomly?

[Renee]

Sure, I think that's a fair way to do it. But we won't be posting on Goodreads giveaways, because we want to limit it to our group. Here's what we'll do, we'll make a contest thread. One at a time of course. In it we'll announce the contest, rules, etc. I think I'll see if we can do a giveaway limited to our group and have goodreads pick at random. You'd be waiting until next winter for a scarf. I'll start that now.

[Renee]

Shit, I can't do it that way. Any ideas?

[Erma]

This is not my forte. Maybe via your blog? Maybe you do the random picking? Maybe someone out there has an idea?

[Renee]

Anybody? I just want to make sure that the winners are chosen randomly, to keep it fair. Also, any books I happen to purchase from our Canadian authors I'll make available as prizes as long as it's okay with the author. I'll message each before I do that. For example, I just ordered A.F's book. If it's okay with her, and if I'm willing to let it go (it looks like it might be funny) I'll post that as a prize as well. Never thought of doing it on my blog. Hmmmm...interesting idea. But I do want to keep it within our group.

Anybody?

[A.F.]

Renee wrote: "Anybody? I just want to make sure that the winners are chosen randomly, to keep it fair. Also, any books I happen to purchase from our Canadian authors I'll make available as prizes as long as it's..."

I think it sounds like a great idea; I hold contests on my website all the time, so being part of one here is fine with me.

[Renee]

Any ideas how to keep it fair? I mean we don't have a random selecter gadget to do it, so I don't know how we'd do it.

[Erma]

How about the old-fashioned way? All the names in a hat (if there aren't too many), and you can get your kids to pull out the winning entrants.

[Renee]

I could do that.

[Shannon]

I trust you and I like old fashioned.

[Renee]

Okay, I'll start the contest thread right now.

[Dorothy]

Hello. My name is Dot and I live in Victoria BC...you know....the place where we don't have snow.....
I really like to read Canadian authors. I recently read "Three Day Road" by Joseph Boyden and found it a really powerful novel. I have recently discovered Michael Crummey, a Newfoundland author. I have read his recent book "Galore' and have "The Wreck" waiting to be read. I seem to read mainly serious/literary fiction but I do love a good mystery and my favourite Canadian writing mysteries is Peter Robinson.

[Shannon]

Welcome Dot. I lived in Victoria for many years and love that city. One word for bibliophiles - Munroe's.

Glad to have you on board. I recently finished Boyden's Through Balck Spruce and really enjoyed it. I will look up Michael Crummey as I have not read any of his. Thanks.

Are you a writer or a reader or both? Me, I am a reader. My writing is limited to research papers. Pretty small audience for those! LOL

[Renee]

Welcome to the group Dot. I wish I lived in a province with no snow. Sigh. To avoid shoveling would be heavenly.

[Shannon]

Renee, right now Vancouver is wishing that they had at least some snow on the mountains! Winter Olympics on straw???

Up north here we have the cold but not much snow this year...

And I remember a year in Victoria when it snowed over a meter (even last year it got quite a dumping). But yes, not to have to shovel.... ah, would be nice

[Renee]

I hate the shovel, I glare at it now and then but it just smirks cockily back at me because it knows I can't toss it. I need it. Damn thing. Someday, I'll wipe that smirk right off it's crappy little blade and then we'll see who's the cocky one.

[Renee]

I've spent too much time editing I think. Time for a break.

[Dorothy]

Shannon wrote: "Welcome Dot. I lived in Victoria for many years and love that city. One word for bibliophiles - Munroe's.

Glad to have you on board. I recently finished Boyden's Through Balck Spruce and really..."

Thanks for the welcome Shannon. Victoria and Sidney are rich with bookstores... I live in Oak Bay so tend to patronise Ivys for new books and Grafton for used books...though in practice I am quite convinced that all bookstore are equipped with powerful magnets that draw me in :-)

I once had dreams of being a writer but apart from a master's thesis and reports and grant applications, I have not actually written very much except for a few children's stories for my own kids, soon to be dusted off and told to my grandchildren. Tried a creative writing course once but didn't keep it up. But I am a voracious reader and if I can't write up to the standard of the authors I particularly admire, then I think I don't want to write at all.

Where do you live and what kind of research papers do you write?

[Dorothy]

Shannon wrote: "Renee, right now Vancouver is wishing that they had at least some snow on the mountains! Winter Olympics on straw???

Up north here we have the cold but not much snow this year...

And I rememb..."

Shannon is right about Vancouver wishing for snow. I think Whistler is in good shape but Cypress is in trouble. The cartoonist in the Victoria Times-Colonist suggested today that the runners carrying the flame carry shovels of snow instead :-)

And yes...last Christmas we endured quite a bit of snow...and 1996 we actually got snowed in on Boxing Day. So we do have our moments....

[Shannon]

Dot, I am an anthropologist living in Smithers. I typically interview First Nation elders (and others) about their historic and current land use and then write that up. Not quite ethnographies but there can be quite extensive cultural components. Usually my work is driven by some kind of industry project proposed on crown land. Used to be lots of forestry, now its more related to mining, oil and gas - that kind of thing.

I once read a book for my bookclub and said "This is what my writing would be like if I wrote this book" and everyone oohed and ahed and said I should write a book but I said, " Are you kidding? More to the point, he writes like I do and I know I no author!". So I agree, unless I could write like the authors I admire, I see no point - besides, of course, my reports.

[Renee]

Shannon;

You would have your own voice, possibly equal to the voice of your favorites, but with your unique flavor to it. You know the basics, you write reports that must have to adhere to certain standards, if you have the itch to write, I'd try scratching it. You might surprise yourself.

[Betty]

I agree with Renee, Shannon. I know you don't have the time right now, but you can jot down things as they come to you and work on it as the mood hits you. I'd be happy to proof-read. You have so many experiences to work from. I'm thinking I should get a little voice-activated recorder because things usually hit me while riding in a car.

[Dorothy]

Shannon wrote: "Dot, I am an anthropologist living in Smithers. I typically interview First Nation elders (and others) about their historic and current land use and then write that up. Not quite ethnographies but..."

Your job sounds very interesting...and I agree with Shannon and Betty. The experience you are having would I think give you plenty of material to work with, should you decide to write.

[Shannon]

Lots of material but my writing style is so formal adn full of cluches. I hate it. And honestly, I have read a book that sounded like I wrote it and it was terrible. I love reading and will stick with that. But thanks anyway. I think its good to know your limits.

What do they say, Know your limit and stay within it?

[Renee]

See, to me that would be a challenge. Know my limits? Ha! I'll show you limits.

But I do agree Shannon, if writing fiction holds no interest for you, then obviously it's not your thing. Many people are passionate about books without having ever had the inclination to pick up the pen themselves.

Just so you know, I've read a few pages of stuff that I wrote, and wanted to tear my eyes out, it was so awful. Oh, so bad. But, I kept at it because even if I were still that bad, I love to write.

[Dorothy]

Shannon wrote: "Lots of material but my writing style is so formal adn full of cluches. I hate it. And honestly, I have read a book that sounded like I wrote it and it was terrible. I love reading and will stick..."

This sounds so like me...I had the same experience! The only things I have been happy with have been stories I made up for my children when they were small. I did try to get one published, and found an artist to illustrate it, but we were living in New Zealand at the time and the publishers I tried suggested I try New York. I didn't. I still wonder if I should have tried harder.

[Shannon]

Its not too late Dot.

I would love to write but I would get way too frustrated and I do not have the patience or perseverence to stick with it. I like writing poetry but I don't like reading it. For me the process of poetry is what I like. (I don't even read my own poetry LOL). How is that for twisted?

Luckily, all you authors and writers need people like me. ;)

(Oh except you poets, you don't want me around at all!)

[Renee]

You're funny Shannon, and you're right, I don't think people like you would do much for the sales of poetry books. I started writing poetry. When I was a kid I'd write little verses all the time, as I got older they became sprawling messes of emotional vomit. Now, I twist that into a story, without the rhyme or quite so much purple prose. Okay, almost no purple prose. It is fun, but the work involved is enough to make you cry. You have a very realistic idea of what writing fiction is about. It's too bad many aspiring writers don't share that gift.

[Dorothy]

Maybe I'll try to write stories for my grandchilren.
:-)

D.

[Renee]

That is so much fun, Dot. I write with my kids, they help to pull the story together. We've got several really cute little stories, not publishable mind you, but great memories for later.

[Kathy]

Hello Everyone,

I am an avid reader, published Regressionlast year in print and on Kindle, but am also a teacher, wife to one, parent of four, breeder of bulldogs, rider of horses, and...well, that's enough info already.

Renee, you're doing a great job promoting Canadian books and authors, I admire your energy!

[Renee]

Thanks Kathy and Welcome to the group. I'm ashamed to admit, that I didn't really notice until I started writing, where each author I read was from. I just read what I liked. I'm more aware now and I'm getting some great authors and titles just from this group.

My energy is great in the am but man, about 3pm I'm useless. Maybe I should try to spread it out more.

[Kathy]

Do you recall those commercials where people hit the 3 pm wall? I thought they were great;)

I tend to be a high burn person; morning, noon, and night I'm in constant motion, I rarely can sit still. Actually, the only time I have for reading is usually when I have a litter of puppies to feed!

[Renee]

I am constantly thinking, but not constantly moving. I love those commercials too by the way. I read while doing other things too, funny how we can do that but walk and chew gum? So hard.

[Karen]

Hi I am Karen Vaughan --I write romantic suspense and light mysteries. I live in Ontario-=-City of Peterborough.
I like to be recognonized as a canadian writer my stories all have a canadian city as their base--
DEAD ON ARRIVAL is based in Toronto.--I self distributed so contact me if you are interested.
DEAD COMICS STANDING is in Edmonton.--soon to be released online at amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Trafford publishing.

my website is http://www.karenvaughan.info

[Shannon]

Welcome Steve and Karen.

I'm glad to see that my ramblings above did not scare away a poet (but I wonder if getting to know "some of" us is meant to exclude me?!!) ;) Nice to get to know you a bit through your site.

Karen, I took a look at your website and had to laugh at option 1, 2 and 3 for purchase of your book. A nice light mystery is just the ticket after some of the denser reading that I do. Will visit again in the near future.

[Renee]

Welcome Steve and Karen, glad you could join us. Karen, you look familiar...perhaps it's the eyes. Joking.

I'll visit your site as well very soon. I've been editing and have a stack of emails screaming at me, but I hope to get back there tonight. Peterborough is in my neck of the woods. You lucky girl.

[Karen]

Renee wrote: "You're funny Shannon, and you're right, I don't think people like you would do much for the sales of poetry books. I started writing poetry. When I was a kid I'd write little verses all the time, a..."

Emotional vomit Renee? is that like angst.

[Renee]

Why yes, Karen. Exactly like angst.