Poems can’t be rushed. It’s better to take your time and cultivate the words and images drawn together to express—as succinctly as possible-- what it is you really want to say, to show. Especially instances of beauty, cosmic pearls in our everyday lives like water droplets on a naked body. Or Tiger ice cream sunsets only seen on late evening drives over the Henday bridge. What about the swirling frost crystals collecting on the chest- nut fur of a squirrel? Or the chickadees upside down on thick mugo pine branches drooping from three feet of snow. It’s easy to get lost in the bogs of opposition and hate, but from time to time it’s okay to step away. An invitation: Will you join me as I quest for those precious blue, silver, white, and pink orbs? ~ Mady
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Good Afternoon Readers and Writers! I found myself unable to come up with a topic last week when I sat down to write my Monday blog post. I just couldn’t figure out what to write. Now, I admit that I left the post to the last minute. I’ve been working on my novel and special side projects, and time got away from me. But ideas wouldn’t come. I stared at my blank word document with my fingers poised over my typewriter keyboard keys and…nothing. Absolutely nothing. I tried doing Natalie Goldberg writing practices to get the writing flowing. I chose a topic, started my ten-minute timer, and put pen to paper. But the words that flowed out were not blog friendly. They exposed too much of myself, and I’m not ready to share those things. I need more time (and confidence) to post those words. After doing a couple of writing practices, I found myself drawn to rereading past writing practice journals. I fell into the patterns of my mind, and I realized I haven’t been sinking into myself when I meet with my writing practice group. I skim the surface with the chosen topics and refuse to enter deeply. I don’t want to get my feet wet, but that’s the whole point of Natalie’s practice. You’ve got to trust yourself and your process. You’ve got to dive in. Sometimes we need to step back and return to our centre. We need to remember why we started in the first place, and why we continue. Natalie’s practice has built (and continues to build) my writing spine. As I’m working on my novel, it’s become clear that I have a lot of world building to do. And it’s scary, but it’s exciting. There are so many possibilities, but I’m afraid that some of these new directions are taking my novel down a different path that doesn’t hold true to the story that’s there. At the same time, my novel has gone down this path before. Draft seven is only possible because I took a chance and followed it. I trust my process and where my mind goes with my writing practice, yet there’s a difference when it comes to my creative work. And I’m uncertain right now, and that uncertainty scares me. But it also makes me creep forward in anticipation because I know that I’m hitting something that’s waiting to be uncovered. ~ Mady P.S. Happy Valentine's Day!
Let me be clear, I never intended to raise my brother from his grave... Chupeco beautifully crafts a fantasy world as she stylistically incorporates past and present time jumps between chapters. Don’t worry, these time jumps are clear and captivating because key elements are revealed in amazing twists that string you along until the last page. You’ll be jumping into your car and driving to the nearest book store to get book two and three. ~ Mady
There isn’t a right or wrong way to write a story. If you have an idea, you can approach it any way you want, but it might be helpful to have direction. Here are a few tips that might be helpful as you explore the inner workings of fiction! But before I being, I don’t know everything about writing. I'm still learning because there is always something new to discover in the world of writing. I’m just providing some tips that have helped me become a better writer. I hope they help you on your writing journey :) Point of viewSo you have an idea, what now? Firstly, wait to name your piece. Whether it’s a short story, novel, or poem it’s best to wait until draft one is complete. But for now—don’t worry, I’ll come back to titles—you need to figure out your point of view (POV). During this stage, you will want to know who tells your story. Here is a quick breakdown of the four POV’s: First Person POV: Your main character tells the story from their perspective, and mostly uses “I” to describe themselves and the world around them. The reader will see everything through this character’s eyes. Stick with one character if you’re working on a short story because having multiple first-person perspectives in a short piece can get confusing. But, if you’re working with a longer piece you can have more than one character’s first-person perspective. Second Person POV: This perspective is difficult because it relies on the word “you.” That’s why it’s not used often because the character or narrator directly address the reader. I wrote The Realm of Stories in the second-person POV, and it was challenging but I wanted to dive into that challenge. If you’re interested in this POV style I would suggest reading Italo Calvino’s work. The two books I read that helped me are Invisible Cities and If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler. Third Person POV: You describe characters from the outside with words like, “he, she, they, him, her, them, etc.” Think of a camera recording the characters actions and emotions—it doesn’t have an internal perspective, but it has that external view point. This can make showing vs. telling hard, but those key details will bring your character to life! There are two sub-types in third-person POV: 1) Limited - You mostly focus on the main character’s story. You objectively write what happens and you don’t cross over to other characters. It works well for short stories and longer pieces. 2) Third Person Omniscient - You have full access to all characters and can switch between them when you want. This POV works better with a longer piece as it might get muddled in a short story, but hey, it’s your story! Go with what works for you. charactersAll right, you have your idea and your POV, now it’s time to figure out who your characters are. When working with a short story it’s important not to overload the piece with too many characters. You want all of your them to be distinct and memorable, but whose story do you want to tell? What motivates them? What do they want? Does something or someone stand in their way of obtaining their goal? Understanding the answers to these questions will help you plan events and interactions within your piece. And, it will create tension which will prompt the reader to keep going. SettingOkay, we’re entering a fun topic! Actually, all of this is fun, but setting makes your story pop because it’s meant to transport you reader into the world your characters inhabit. The world in your story can be completely fictional, or it can come from real life. It’s up to you and the story you’re writing. But the most important part about your setting are those concrete details that bring the image to life. You can add details throughout your first draft, but when it comes to different drafting and editing stages these details may change—for the better! And again, you want that detail to make the setting pop. Some writers wait until later drafts to include their setting. They want to focus on story, plot, character, dialogue, and prose before adding those concrete details. Why? It’s like placing the cherry on top of a loaded ice-cream sundae! TitleAll right, now that you’ve finished draft one, it’s time to give this baby a title. As you read your piece over, the title may be within the text, or it may be inspired by the content. Warning: You don’t want to hit your reader over the head with your title. Instead, the title should hint at or subtly underscore the main idea. Finding the right title for your story (or poem) is challenging, but pay attention to themes, motifs, images, character, and setting. You may find your title within them. And, you can always use a place-holder title for the time being. Sometimes it takes a couple of drafts to pick out the right words that highlight your piece. EditingNow it’s editing and drafting time. Step away for a bit, get some feedback from people you trust, and go crazy for the next draft! Writing is drafting…and editing…and rewriting. And, it’s also creating. It’s a long and in-depth process, but it’s completely rewarding when you have a finished piece. And that process can go on, and on, and on, and on, and on. (Believe me, I know!) But at some point, you need to stop and say, “This is as far as I can take it.” It will be hard, but that’s okay. We don’t always want to let go of our written babies, but they deserve to be shared with the world. Happy Writing! ~ Mady
All right, Readers and Writers! I've hinted about a new keyboard I purchased that makes me want to write all of the time because it's so cool—and I'm typing this post with it as we speak! I'm super excited to introduce you to the Qwerkywriter S! I absolutely love typewriters, and I've aways wanted one. I love the clikcty-clackity sound of the keys, and the old writer aesthetic that comes with them. I've been looking at some from antique shops because I finally decided I wanted to buy one, and then the Qwerkywriter came into my field of awareness. I didn't even need to think about it—I fell in love with this wireless keyboard and purchased it after Christmas. And ever since, I have loved using it for typing anything! My Qwerkywriter typewriter keyboard adds spice to my writing time! Usually I listen to music when I write, but lately I've been so enamoured with the sound of the keys that I just forget to put on my headphones. The Qwerkywriter comes with many different functions: the return bar comes programmed as the enter key, but you can add up to 15 different characters. The knobs on either side are also work—the right adjusts volume and the left controls the page scroll. I've switched the two knobs because I use the page scroll more and it was awkward behind the return bar. You can also connect up to three bluetooth devices, and there's a built in tablet stand if you want to use an iPad or phone. I've connected mine to my laptop because it's the main tool I use to write. Every time i sit down to write, I smile because of my typewriter keyboard. It's a dream come true! If you love typewriters, I would highly suggested considering the Qweerkywriter. I purchased the traditional version, but Qwerkytoys has other colours available! Now, I will offer a warning: this keyboard is considered to be in a niche which means it's on the expensive side. The keyboard is mostly marketed towards people who love typewriters but also want the functionality of a mechanical keyboard. Even though the price is high, I have no regrets buying my Qwerkywriter because it brings me so much joy—and I use it everyday when I write. ~ Mady Note: I am not receiving royalties from Qwerkytoys for posting about the Qwerkywriter S. I am simply sharing my love of typewriters with you all, and a product that suits me.
Hey Readers & Writers! Today my favourite author Derek Landy released the cover for the final Skulduggery Pleasant Book. So, I am posting a poem I have written in honour of the cover release! Until the EndHere our journey ends, Just as we said—until the end. Through the hardships and pain, We fought. Through the bludgeonings and beatings, We fought. Through the loneliness and holiness, We fought. We’ve cried, we’ve laughed, We’ve won, we’ve lost. But through it all, there you were-- You’d save my life, I’d save yours, Partners until the end. ~ Mady P.S. Here's the cover!
I’ve always wondered how writers come up with ideas if it wasn’t through dreaming. Whenever my high school creative writing teacher asked us to write to a prompt, I was never quite sure how to begin. How could I make it work if I didn’t have dream material? And when readers have the opportunity to ask their favourite authors/ writers where their story material come from, the answer is always different. Margaret Atwood, in her MasterClass, mentions that most of her stories are inspired by events that historically occurred in the real world. Her statement makes her famous novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, even more disturbing. As for myself, well, most of my ideas do come from dreams. I remember a lot of them because they are ripe with story material. Of course, I don’t remember all of my dreams, but the ones I do seem to hang on. It’s why I keep a dream journal! The moment I wake up, I madly write out what happened in my dream since the details are still fresh. Time is of the essence because those details recede quickly. My novel is actually based on one of my dreams. It’s gone through multiple revisions and drafts (on #5 now! Or is it #7…), but the original dream material—the characters, the plot, the idea—has remained the same since I was ten years old. Don’t you hate it when you have a good dream, but you wake up before it’s finished? Yeah, well, my novel dream didn’t finish. I don’t know how it ended. But, it’s like the Muse of Creativity gave me a taste of this idea to see if I would follow through with it, and I have ever since. I may have told this story already, but I started writing my novel on my iPod immediately after having this dream. I would stay up really late typing on that small touch screen in the notes section. I can tell you the first draft was long. It scrolled on and on and on and on and on. And then, one fateful day, I accidentally deleted it. I couldn’t retrieve it, either. Of course, I was crushed, but I didn’t let this blip stop me from finally going to my computer, opening a word document, and writing my novel. I had a general idea of how I did it on my iPod, so typing on my computer shouldn’t be as hard, right? Let me tell you, the writer’s block came on strong. Honestly, I should have started creating my novel on my computer in the first place, but I didn’t think much would come of it at the time. I wrote out my dreams, yet this one stuck. I’m glad it has because I’m going to publish it. Soon. Anyone who knows me hears this regularly, but I mean it. I am. No matter what, I will get my novel published. And I have other ideas—so many ideas that have come from dreams. It might be a bit concerning, but whatever we dream about, we’ve seen through TV shows, movies, ads, people we pass on the street, and what we envision as we read. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I always found it hard to create ideas if they weren’t from dreams. But, I challenged myself in all of my creative writing classes. The more I practiced, the more I learned that ideas are everywhere: in music, people, costumes, dreams, and prompts. Anything can give you an idea, including personal experience. I recently had a story published by YEGWrites Press in the YEGWrites Volume 1: A COVID Year Anthology. I crafted the story in this anthology from a personal experience because it helped me process what I was going through at the time. My editors challenged me, and with their help, this story reached its full potential. I go back and read it often because I surprised myself, which doesn’t happen often, but I like to linger in that feeling when it does. ~ Mady *Note: The words highlighted in red (MasterClass and YEGWrites Press) are links that take you to their respective websites. I am not receiving payment for linking them.
Hello Reader's and Writer's! I want to honour and recognize famous horror author, Anne Rice, who passed December 11, 2021 in today’s Book Recommendation. I was sitting at my dining room table when my mom gasped and said, “Anne Rice died!” My mom introduced me to Anne Rice in my early or late teens. I might have been in high school, but I can’t quite remember. Nevertheless, Rice’s novel Interview with the Vampire hooked me—a story told by a vampire. How new, how fresh, how interesting! Throughout the novel, a nameless boy records the life and death of Louis de Pointe du Lac. The reader falls into a trance as they follow along. It’s almost as if you’re in the room with the two characters. Then Lestat de Lioncourt, a charming (and spoiled) vampire, makes readers hate yet love him as the story progresses. And, without spoiling anything, Rice’s novel ends as it begins—with the desire to read more! The book I have (see below) contains three novels in one: Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, and Queen of the Damned. There are many books included within The Vampire Chronicles, but these three introduce readers to the world and important characters. As you can see, Readers and Writers, my copy is well loved and read! This next picture shows all of Anne Rice’s books (that I have) on my bookshelf. These books are my mom’s, and now they’re mine! …Except for one copy. My mom was lucky to get one of her books signed by Anne Rice! I’ve always wanted one of my books signed by my favourite authors, and I hope to do it someday soon. Anne Rice: She was a prolific author who changed the course of vampire literature, and brought the well-known monster to new heights. In my opinion, she is the best vampire author to follow Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I highly recommend reading Anne Rice’s novels, especially The Vampire Chronicles. ~ Mady
Welcome to 2022, Readers and Writers! The first post of the year is going to be an update on me, my blog, and a sneak peak at what I have in store for the new year. Me!First off, I am excited to announce that I am officially finished university! I completed all of my courses this past fall 2021 semester, and now I am free to start my life as a non-student. I won't lie, I'm a little nervous and uncertain. I don't know what the future holds for me at the moment. Nevertheless, I'm excited to begin and go with the flow! And, I plan to begin working on my novel full time. I may start giving a few hints here and there, but I'm not entirely sure yet. My Blog & InstagramOne of the things I want to do this year is maintain posting. I feel like I have been doing a great job at posting since my blog refresh, yet there were a couple of weeks when I didn't post on time. I may have also slipped on my monthly Book Recommendation Thursday post towards the end of 2021. This year I definitely want to do better. I realize life happens sometimes, but this is something I love doing. Even more so now that I have special keyboard—which I can't say much about because I plan on creating a post about it within the next few weeks! As for my Instagram page, I've noticed I don't do as much with it. Therefore, I might be creating my first reel and start posting a few things here and there in addition to my blog. It sounds like a lot of work (and it's a little daunting, too) but I've always said I'm going to do what I love and that's writing. The other thing I want to do this year is finally finish the publications page because I haven't done so yet. There have been a few more additions to the list and I can't wait to share them all with you. Oh, and I might add a few new post categories, but for now I'll continue with Musings, Poems, The Writing Life, Short Stories, and Book Recommendations with the odd Update tossed in. Sneak Peak...I've already hinted at a special keyboard post, but I'll give you a few more things to look forward to! This week's Book Recommendation will commemorate one of my favourite author's who passed last year. One of the poems I plan to post honours the publication of the final book from my favourite series. And...I might broaden my writing platform on another social media site...which is yet to be determined. Well, here's to a new year filled with possibility, health, and hope. Happy Writing and Reading! ~ Mady
Hey Reader's and Writers! Writing Prompt: “A mythical character tries to make it ‘big’ in the modern world with their abilities.” Go! Ten minutes. Seven dead and no lead. The clues and evidence strewn about the desk and pinned to cork boards taunt me. I'm a Banshee, for God sake. Why can’t I solve this? “Here’s another list, Merry.” “It’s Merrywyn.” I snatch the paper from him. “Aren’t you going to look at it?” I sigh and begrudgingly move my gaze from the list of seven names to glance at the document Sterling handed me. “Shit – another list?” He nods. “Damn it!” I slam it on top of the other lists. “The Captain is getting worried.” “I know.” “He’s starting to question your abilities.” “Thank you, Sterling.” “Let me help you.” “No.” “Please. If someone else dies that means—” “I’m fired,” I say. His eyes soften. “Merrywyn, I want you to stay. So please, for the love of whatever God you believe in, figure this one out.” Sterling leaves, and the door closes behind him with a soft click. I make myself another coffee and begin organizing the materials on my desk. I sip my coffee as I read over the names on the new list. Divided into three columns, each list contained a total of twenty-one names in alphabetical order. One person on each list was murdered twenty-four hours after the station received the list. I knew the location and time within hours of looking at the lists, yet the victim was dead every time we tried to save them. Seven lists, seven dead. So why did they make an eighth? I skim the names. Each person felt normal and undeserving of the fate our murderer has chosen for them. Towards the bottom of the list, my eyes snag on a name. Greg Sterling. Well, shit. ~ Mady
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In the end, we'll all become stories. ~ Margaret Atwood
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