Edinburgh...city of my heart

I've been to this city before, of course, but strangely enough, I found my heart still here, waiting for me upon my return. (The view from atop Arthur's Seat looking out over the firth.)





This time around my visit is too brief, but I managed to get in a few of my old haunts -- the ruined chapel on Arthur's Seat that once gave me inspiration for my latest novel when I first saw it many years ago.

























The very windy, brilliant peak of same. Corstorphine Road, Fleshmarket Close, Cockburn Street ...










....and the castle, of course.







Drove through Glencoe yesterday -- a place of astonishing beauty I'd never seen before. I am quite sure my few pictures did not do it justice, but will post as soon as I can.


~kc

[Ed. note: I post this on a very slow internet connection for which I am paying an exorbitant rate (why is it that free wi-fi seems to work so much better and faster?), so I will post a link soon to a better selection of photos on my Flickr page.]

All Hallow's Eve...

How are you spending this spooky night?

My current weirdness-in-progress is a step back into high fantasy, with a little history and a lot of ghosts thrown in for good measure. A slightly re-worked excerpt of it is to be found here, on Linda Gerber's blog, to celebrate this eerie day. She's run spooky stories all week, and I believe if you leave a comment, you'll be eligible for one of her Freebie Friday gifts...if you make it in before the witching hour.

Earlier this month I spent a long time trying to photograph a skull by moonlight -- sadly, to no avail. Instead, I offer you a shot of a most excellent house on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Calton Hill is the site of much mystery and mayhem on Hogmanay each year -- first night rather than the night before All Saint's Day. It is well suited to today's post all the same, since said wip is set in and around the environs of this, one of my favourite cities in the world.

Happy haunting...

~kc

Writing Contests...

Sashayed off to Surrey today for a SiWC board meeting. Lots of HUGE talent on tap for this year, and the roster is almost ready for public viewing...

But not quite.

So while I leave you in suspense just a bit longer, I thought I'd mention the SiWC writing contest.
This is a fantastic contest -- with one of the richest prize packages for a conference-associated contest. You can check out the details for sure at www.siwc.ca, but here's a brief precis:

CONTEST DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2008.

All entries must be received at SiWC 2008 Writing Contest, Surrey International Writers' Conference, Unit 400, 9260 – 140 Street, Surrey, BC Canada V3V 5Z4, by 4 pm, Friday, September 5, 2008.

As always, blind judging is in effect. For complete contest regulations, please visit our website at www.siwc.ca or contact kc dyer, contest coordinator, at kcdyer@siwc.ca .

Contest open to all writers 18 years of age and over. Entry fees: All categories are $15 per submission. (Please send cheque or international money order only. Do not send cash by mail.) Enter often – there is no limit to the number of submissions per writer. You do not have to attend the conference to enter the contest.

SiWC Storyteller's Award

1^st Place $1000

Honourable Mention $150

Sponsored by Diana Gabaldon and Jack Whyte. Short stories 3,500 to 5,000 words.

SiWC Non-fiction Award

1^st Place $1000

Honourable Mention $150

Maximum length: 1500 words

SiWC Poetry Award

1^st Place $1000

Honourable Mention $150

One poem per submission

Maximum length: 36 lines

SiWC Writing for Young People Award 1st Place $1000 Honourable Mention $150
Short stories only. Picture books & illustrations will not be accepted. Writers under 18 years of age are encouraged to submit to the Surrey Public Library's Young Writers' Contest. Maximum length: 1500 words

And this? This is a shot of the moon hanging over Edinburgh Castle at night, taken looking across the roof of the train station (built on the site of an old loch, long drained). I had a magical research trip to this remarkable city a couple of years ago, and am feeling my familiar spring yearning to return.

My new story is set in Edinburgh. It's a ghost story, as any decent tale about this place need be.

It'll have to do for now.


~kc