Super Saturday

Had an amazing day yesterday. First I got to meet my writer friends Trudy and Kathy at Nancy Warren's Romance writing workshop -- a fundraiser for Breast Cancer research that was a great deal of fun.














Then last night I got to see the closing night of an astonishing production of Amadeus. Stellar performances (Go Saliari!), got to hang with my good friend Meg AND eat her most amazing cheese popcorn. What could be better?




~kc

Nits & Notes

Lots going on, so a little link-fest to catch up.

Nancy Warren's Breast Cancer Fundraiser is this Saturday. Get tips on writing romance, while supporting a great cause! Vancouver Public Library from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, November 29.

I get to go to a play that same night -- am really looking forward to it!

Just finished Sherman Alexie's THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY OF A PART TIME INDIAN. Amazing, incredible, emotional, wonderful book. I adored it. I insist you read it. You will NOT be sorry. (You may cry, but you will NOT be sorry.)

Office still not done, but better. One can only hope.

And, more about this soon, but...

In an interview from the North Pole, a jolly man in a red suit was quoted as saying, "My elves may not get toys made in time for Christmas. They are too busy reading."

This holiday season, why not follow the elves' example by giving the gift of storytelling? Together for the first time, three of BC's most popular children's authors are promoting adventure, history and magic for all ages at:

Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush
4387 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
Sunday, December 14th
(11:30am-1:30pm)

Known as the "Wizard of Words" or simply as "Mr. Wiz," Lee Edward Födi has been writing and illustrating stories for middle readers about magic, monsters, and mystery for as long as he can remember. When he is not chronicling, he spends his time teaching creative writing workshops to kids or travelling the world to explore castles, mazes, tombs, and other places hidden between the cracks of here and there. (www.leefodi.com)

kc dyer is the author o f a number of books for young adults that are published in North America and the UK and enjoys sharing some of the greatest grotesque moments in history with large groups of high school students. Most days she can be found sitting at her desk, surfing the time-space continuum, looking for the perfect word. (www.kcdyer.com)

Growing up on the icy plains of Manitoba, James McCann spent most of his time as a teen reading comics and playing Dungeons and Dragons. He is the author of the YA sensation Rancour (first released in 2005 with a second edition due in 2009), Pyre (2007), and Dawn (Summer 2009). Unlike the creatures of the night of which he writes, he lives peacefully in the daylight with his Shih Tzu, Conan. (www.jamesmccann.info)





And finally...


Incredible sunset tonight -- red sky at night...does that mean sun tomorrow?




~kc

Romance in the Air?

Just in from a walk with my boys (2 canine, 1 humanoid) through a rare sunny November afternoon. I love coming upon surprises like this small rock sculpture, tucked in among the sea of leaves. There may still be yellows and reds in parts of this country, but on this side, we're back to a monochrome palette of evergreens.







I blogged about this event yesterday on the SiWC site, but for those who didn't see it, my friend and colleague Nancy Warren is offering a splendid fundraiser in the guise of a romance-writing workshop.

Here's the full scoop:




Learn to Write Romance and Support Breast Cancer Research

Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 29, 2008. Award winning author Nancy Warren is giving a workshop on how to write romance. The course will run from 9:30 to 1:30 at the Vancouver Public Library, Main Branch, 350 West Georgia in the Peter Kaye room.

Suitable for all levels, from beginner to multi published, the workshop will cover the essentials of a love story, character development, plotting from the inside out, the heroine's journey, and marketing your work in today's
publishing climate. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask your burning questions. But wait, there's more! The first five people who register will have the opportunity to have the first page of their romance work in
progress critiqued by Nancy. This will be done during the workshop, but anonymously.

Proceeds from this course will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cost for the four hour workshop, including door prizes and other goodies, is $40.

Register online at http://www.writeromancenovels.com

Or by calling 604 985-1480

For more information email Nancy at nancywarren@telus.net


Sounds pretty cool, eh? I'm going to try to make it myself. Hope to see you there!

~kc

Long Day

I've spent the day at top speed -- meetings, events and much driving, driving. Let's see...I think I covered 6 municipalities today. Lions Bay (of course), Surrey and Vancouver, and drove through Burnaby, New Westminster and North Vancouver, as well.

Luckily, my yoga class started up again, so I had a chance at a little serenity before the madness took over.

Okay -- time for a little writer tid-bit or two. How 'bout something mysterious and romantic? Let's start with the mysterious side of the equation....

Phillip Margolin is one interesting guy. For a long time, he was a defense lawyer, trying cases before both the U. S. and State of Oregon Supreme Courts. He's defended many an individual charged with murder, and even a few who have faced the death penalty. In his spare time, Phillip Margolin started writing thrillers. He got so good, with a chain of best sellers behind him, that he turned to writing full time, and that's what he does now.

Close to his heart is 'Chess for Success', an organization that helps kids learn life and school strategies using chess as a guide.

When he comes to SiWC this year, he'll be talking about writing legal thrillers and sit on a mystery panel. And he's also going to give a killer keynote speech ... I can't wait. You can read more about this remarkable writer at his website -- http://www.phillipmargolin.com/

And now for that romance I promised you... Vancouver author Nancy Warren has written more than 30 novels for Harlequin and Kensington, including a racy novel or two about NASCAR. When she speaks at the SiW Conference this year, she'll let you in on the art of the love scene and also talk about building memorable female characters.

You can learn all about Nancy and her interest in fast cars and cool shoes from her website:

www.nancywarren.net

Namaste.

~kc