The revisions for Flights of Marigolds were submitted on Wednesday to Laksa Media. Yay! I loved the notes I got from the editor, and I think the book has really improved as a result of his input. We are on an early timeline to fit the schedules of the cover artist and proof reader so the arcs can be ready for reviewers next spring.
Author Development Program Finale
Wednesday marked the end of the Alexandra Centre’s Author Development Program, wherein all the students did a brief reading. My student closed the evening with a humorous piece from his novel.
It was a great program–and well-enough received that they will run it again next year! I signed up to be a Story Coach again, though whether I actually do it, depends: Story Makers get to pick their coaches. So, we’ll see.
Calgary Young Writers’ Conference
Every year, speakers at the Calgary Young Writers’ Conference are asked to make changes to their sessions so students who may repeat their session get something new. Although I always do a drama session (it’s my thing that’s different from the other presenters, and it’s a great way to stimulate students’ stories for writing) this year I focussed on plot, and the mystery genre. As always, the students were super-excited and fun to work with. Had a great day, and got to touch base with some of the writers I only see a couple of times a year. Sold a few books, too!
Fifteen scenes edited
Despite dental appointments and other interferences, I did manage to edit fifteen scenes this week–love the way the book is becoming more fine-tuned!
Great meeting with my publisher
Had a wonderful meeting with my publisher on Tuesday. Things are moving forward! Also, got one large job taken off my plate, and some prioritization with other jobs, meaning some jobs can be put off until later. All that takes a bit of pressure off, which is great. Also, I get to work first on what I really love: edits for Book 2!
Finished a short story
“Breeding Laughter,” a short story in my Addicted to Heaven universe, has gone to beta readers and now been revised and edited. Just sent it off to Laksa Media for input–if I am going to write in the Addicted to Heaven universe, I want the work to coordinate with the publisher’s publicity plan.
Capturing Video for Book Trailer
Had a lovely trip to the mountains this week, and managed to capture quite a bit of beautiful scenery to use as “B Roll” for my Youtube book trailers for Bursts of Fire. Got a variety of landscapes, including mountain vistas and cliffs, rivers, snow, desert, and forest. Looking forward to editing the videos together!
So busy with other stuff! Grr!
Yeah, I’ve been productive, but the days fly by and sometimes it seems like I have long stretches when I’m not writing!! This week was editing, editing, editing–for clients. Which is good (I like income, and the work is creatively satisfying), but I want to get back onto my own stuff!!
Canada Council Grant Application in!
Yay! I got great feedback on my last, unsuccessful Canada Council Grant application, so the 2019 version is revised and submitted. Wish me luck!
Rainforest Retreat
I am so lucky! My Rainforest Writers Village retreat followed directly on the heels of my Dead Man’s Flats retreat, so I get about 11 days of concentrated work on the edits. We did have a hiccup when one of our friends came down with pneumonia! Spent a few hours in Emergency before she was air lifted back to Canada. Wow. Glad everything turned out for the best. But still, I got lots of writing done, AND I got to present to the other writers at the retreat. Met new people and connected with old friends, and learned some cool stuff from the other presenters. Win Win.
Fine Artemis 