Wow, what a week. If you've been following the Harlequin Horizons debacle, you know what I mean. Soooo not going there....
Instead, I must talk about a dream I had last night. Okay, yes, I get it -- you want to stop reading because other people's dreams are so freaking boring to hear about -- but wait!! This is too bizarre to miss and probably the product of the headache pain relievers I took last night.
I'm sitting in a lecture hall for a media relations class. It's exam day. On the board is a series of essay questions. ACK! I didn't know what any of it meant!! But wait... on the last section of board was an OR question. The essays or we could list seven famous people who contributed to the downfall of our society by association.
Ha! I read gossip blogs. This should be easy:
1. Britney Spears for giving us Kevin Federline (the prof was so pleased he wrote it on the board!)
2. Lindsay Lohan for giving us her wackadoo parents
3. OJ Simpson for giving us the Kardashians (cause really, that's where it all started)
4. John McCain for giving us Sarah Palin
5. Sarah Palin for giving us Levi Johnson
6.
7.
Not sure who's to blame for Speidi or the Hiltons (Paris and Perez!) but I think I should have gotten 2 points for the OJ Simpson link because for a short time we also had to put up with Kato.
Anyway... I woke up before I completed the task and I'd love for you to help me :)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
I'm sorry, Kristin Nelson
Oops... it's been awhile. I vowed to do better after that long blog-holiday during the summer, but I keep forgetting about this little sucker. Especially now that I'm on Twitter. Gosh - it's so exciting over there. Short and to the point. Well... sometimes it's pretty pointless, let's not kid ;)
This past week, while I continue to spit polish the novel, I jumped into the next exciting phase of composing the query letter and synopsis. And of course, the dreaded agent hunt.
And I've a confession... I was so excited to have a piece of work to sell, I prematurely sent out 3 queries before I could really nail the tone of the letter. And, I did it after midnight, completely ignoring my strict rule to NEVER send an email after midnight (it's like drunk dialing, people!)
So... to the agent who rejected me a mere handful of hours after I hit send, I'm sorry you had to see my first lame attempt at a query. I hang my head in shame. I'm sorry for wasting your time. You should have the power to kick someone's butt for doing that.
Same goes for the next 2 agents, btw... 'cause it was only marginally better.
My advice to anyone jumping into the Query Wars: Stop. Wait. Revise. Put it aside then revise again. I know you're itching, I know you think 'This book is IT!', and it just may be, but don't undermine all your hard work by covering it with a hastily written piece of garbage.
I have very mixed feelings about the agent hunt...
Yes, it gets you giddy and hopeful because it means that you actually have a book finished, something you worked hard on, a piece of your heart and soul to present to the world. On the other hand, it also renders you naked and vulnerable.
I liken it to standing in a boxing ring with your hands tied behind your back. You know the blows are coming, you know they're going to hurt. You can't duck, you can only brace yourself and hope it's not a shot to the face, hope that you'll recover before the next punch comes. Because each hit erodes you, your self confidence, your hope, your dream.
YES, you will recover, eventually, and write another book or revise your query and send to the next agent on the list, but in the meantime, you'll feel like shit, eat chocolate and mope.
Back to query revision and chocolate.
This past week, while I continue to spit polish the novel, I jumped into the next exciting phase of composing the query letter and synopsis. And of course, the dreaded agent hunt.
And I've a confession... I was so excited to have a piece of work to sell, I prematurely sent out 3 queries before I could really nail the tone of the letter. And, I did it after midnight, completely ignoring my strict rule to NEVER send an email after midnight (it's like drunk dialing, people!)
So... to the agent who rejected me a mere handful of hours after I hit send, I'm sorry you had to see my first lame attempt at a query. I hang my head in shame. I'm sorry for wasting your time. You should have the power to kick someone's butt for doing that.
Same goes for the next 2 agents, btw... 'cause it was only marginally better.
My advice to anyone jumping into the Query Wars: Stop. Wait. Revise. Put it aside then revise again. I know you're itching, I know you think 'This book is IT!', and it just may be, but don't undermine all your hard work by covering it with a hastily written piece of garbage.
I have very mixed feelings about the agent hunt...
Yes, it gets you giddy and hopeful because it means that you actually have a book finished, something you worked hard on, a piece of your heart and soul to present to the world. On the other hand, it also renders you naked and vulnerable.
I liken it to standing in a boxing ring with your hands tied behind your back. You know the blows are coming, you know they're going to hurt. You can't duck, you can only brace yourself and hope it's not a shot to the face, hope that you'll recover before the next punch comes. Because each hit erodes you, your self confidence, your hope, your dream.
YES, you will recover, eventually, and write another book or revise your query and send to the next agent on the list, but in the meantime, you'll feel like shit, eat chocolate and mope.
Back to query revision and chocolate.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Writing = Puzzles
I had the pleasure of going on a weekend writer's retreat with my fellow Toronto Romance Writer authors - JK Coi, Leah Braemel, Christing d'Abo and Kimber Chin. Much fun was had, words typed, brains stormed, wine drunk, chocolate consumed...
Over a week later and I'm still reflecting on how different we all worked, how we structure not only our writing time, but how our stories unfold.
While I write this, my son is sitting on the floor doing a puzzle. We usually do them together, me in the lead, so he follows my method: I begin with the four corners, then find all the edge pieces. Once those are in place, I like to sort the pieces by color so that I can quickly identify which part of the puzzle they belong. Then I start filling in the middle.
Left to his own devices, my five year old started from the bottom up.
The bottom up!!
Imagine that. It makes no sense to me, but he's plugging away and by the time I'm finished this post, I'm sure he'll be done.
Back to writing...
My method, what seems to work for me, anyway, is to get the four corners down, so within the rough outline (no, not synopsis... this is more of a mind dump) I identify the hero and heroine, their internal and external conflicts, how it affects them within the framework of the story.
Then I figure out how the hero and heroine meet, a few critical turning points and an ending (or at least a glimmer of an ending). Voila - my frame.
Then I begin - usually with 'Chapter One', but not always! I often write the critical scenes or turning points (the sorting of the colors) then go back and fill in or further flesh out the plot that lead to the critical scenes.
Other writers in the group write in a linear fashion -- from Chapter 1 to The End. Something like what my son is doing with his puzzle (he's finished, btw -- every little Spongebob piece in its perfect place). The beginning to end method makes the most sense, doesn't it? It's logical -- can't argue with that -- but this method doesn't work for me because if I come upon a part I don't know what to do with, I get paralyzed, unable to move past that point. (I know, I know, stubborn like mule.) I feel like I don't have an aim.
I'm strange like this. Y'know how some people go for a walk? "Hey - let's go for a walk, get some fresh air, some exercise."
This isn't me. I need a destination or it seems like a pointless task. Tell me to walk to the mailbox, to the store for a paper, to the closest Tim Hortons for a coffee, and hell ya! The fresh and exercise is a bonus. But just to go for a walk... uh un.
(I get it, btw, why people do, so don't misread this as me being judgemental --It's totally me being strange!!)
What works for you? Are you a corners and border first, a one end to the other, or a grap a piece and see where it fits?
Over a week later and I'm still reflecting on how different we all worked, how we structure not only our writing time, but how our stories unfold.
While I write this, my son is sitting on the floor doing a puzzle. We usually do them together, me in the lead, so he follows my method: I begin with the four corners, then find all the edge pieces. Once those are in place, I like to sort the pieces by color so that I can quickly identify which part of the puzzle they belong. Then I start filling in the middle.
Left to his own devices, my five year old started from the bottom up.
The bottom up!!
Imagine that. It makes no sense to me, but he's plugging away and by the time I'm finished this post, I'm sure he'll be done.
Back to writing...
My method, what seems to work for me, anyway, is to get the four corners down, so within the rough outline (no, not synopsis... this is more of a mind dump) I identify the hero and heroine, their internal and external conflicts, how it affects them within the framework of the story.
Then I figure out how the hero and heroine meet, a few critical turning points and an ending (or at least a glimmer of an ending). Voila - my frame.
Then I begin - usually with 'Chapter One', but not always! I often write the critical scenes or turning points (the sorting of the colors) then go back and fill in or further flesh out the plot that lead to the critical scenes.
Other writers in the group write in a linear fashion -- from Chapter 1 to The End. Something like what my son is doing with his puzzle (he's finished, btw -- every little Spongebob piece in its perfect place). The beginning to end method makes the most sense, doesn't it? It's logical -- can't argue with that -- but this method doesn't work for me because if I come upon a part I don't know what to do with, I get paralyzed, unable to move past that point. (I know, I know, stubborn like mule.) I feel like I don't have an aim.
I'm strange like this. Y'know how some people go for a walk? "Hey - let's go for a walk, get some fresh air, some exercise."
This isn't me. I need a destination or it seems like a pointless task. Tell me to walk to the mailbox, to the store for a paper, to the closest Tim Hortons for a coffee, and hell ya! The fresh and exercise is a bonus. But just to go for a walk... uh un.
(I get it, btw, why people do, so don't misread this as me being judgemental --It's totally me being strange!!)
What works for you? Are you a corners and border first, a one end to the other, or a grap a piece and see where it fits?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
BOO! or Boo...
BOO and Happy Halloween bloggers, writers and readers!
I'm finally writing the end chapter to my current wip. I knew roughly what would happen and how I needed to end the story of Clara and Luc (the book doesn't have a title yet) but it wasn't until my walk this morning that the details became clear.
My conclusion - active body=active brain cells!
Once I write The End, I'll go back to the beginning and smooth over the messy bits, add more flavor, tie up any dangly bits and begin the dreaded synopsis so I can begin the query process.
I was hoping to finish this book weeks ago but two weeks of sick kidlets threw a serious wrench in my creative process. My boys are needy (and that's putting it kindly) when they're feeling icky (*cough* much like their father *cough-cough*) but that's okay... it's part of the job description. BUT - and this is where I actually get to the point - the messed up time-line makes it impossible for me to do NaNo. And maybe that's a good thing. Maybe next year, when Sweetness (aka youngest son) starts school full-time and I'll have hours to spend at the computer rather than minutes -- and I'll feel less guilt. (thanks for that mom)
Are you NaNo-ing? How do you juggle it all? What sort of schedule will you adhere to (if at all) and what are you writing?
I'm finally writing the end chapter to my current wip. I knew roughly what would happen and how I needed to end the story of Clara and Luc (the book doesn't have a title yet) but it wasn't until my walk this morning that the details became clear.
My conclusion - active body=active brain cells!
Once I write The End, I'll go back to the beginning and smooth over the messy bits, add more flavor, tie up any dangly bits and begin the dreaded synopsis so I can begin the query process.
I was hoping to finish this book weeks ago but two weeks of sick kidlets threw a serious wrench in my creative process. My boys are needy (and that's putting it kindly) when they're feeling icky (*cough* much like their father *cough-cough*) but that's okay... it's part of the job description. BUT - and this is where I actually get to the point - the messed up time-line makes it impossible for me to do NaNo. And maybe that's a good thing. Maybe next year, when Sweetness (aka youngest son) starts school full-time and I'll have hours to spend at the computer rather than minutes -- and I'll feel less guilt. (thanks for that mom)
Are you NaNo-ing? How do you juggle it all? What sort of schedule will you adhere to (if at all) and what are you writing?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wylie's Fail Tags
1. So THEY are now saying that a huge percentage of reported H1N1 cases (they stopped the blood tests awhile ago and go by symptoms only) are not actually H1N1. Me smells a pharma-rat. #swinefail
2. I'm in the home stretch of the novel-in-progress. But everytime I've said that in the past I've found some way to add 10 - 15 K to the total. Hmmm #trendspottingfail
3. Four Christmas pressies bought. I'm a month and a half ahead of schedule! #franticshopperfail
4. I've eaten half the treats I bought for Halloween and still have days to go. #dietfail
5. Recently returned from a FABULOUS writer's retreat where as much laughing was done as writing. I thought I had nothing to brainstorm with the group until I returned home and realized that my book has neither a title or ending. #brainstormfail
6. Yay me for kicking my severe coffee dependence. Boo me for replacing it with fingernail biting. #compulsivedisorderfail
7. I live for Wednesday's GLEE. #getalifefail
2. I'm in the home stretch of the novel-in-progress. But everytime I've said that in the past I've found some way to add 10 - 15 K to the total. Hmmm #trendspottingfail
3. Four Christmas pressies bought. I'm a month and a half ahead of schedule! #franticshopperfail
4. I've eaten half the treats I bought for Halloween and still have days to go. #dietfail
5. Recently returned from a FABULOUS writer's retreat where as much laughing was done as writing. I thought I had nothing to brainstorm with the group until I returned home and realized that my book has neither a title or ending. #brainstormfail
6. Yay me for kicking my severe coffee dependence. Boo me for replacing it with fingernail biting. #compulsivedisorderfail
7. I live for Wednesday's GLEE. #getalifefail
Saturday, October 24, 2009
H1N1 is in the building!
My youngest son, aka Sweetness, has the H1N1 virus. It's the mild form, thank goodness, but he's been put on medication to ensure his lungs don't get a secondary infection because this virus is expecially hard on the respitory system.
I've been reading MUCH about this virus and the vaccination that's meant to be coming out in the next few weeks. If you're Canadian, and you can get your hands on the MacLeans magazine that came out this week, they tackle the topic with thorough, unbiased approach.
Then I came across this article from the Canadian Press that made me chuckle.
The full article is here: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091022/world/us_cda_flu_vaccine
But this is the part that slayed me. It concerns the short fall of vaccine supplies in the U.S.:
Goodness -- I'm not even sure what to say about this, except: Senator Lieberman... REALLY?? LOL
Personal Message to M. - nothing mysterious about the raccoon... it made camp on my front porch last spring and it's cute and I have no book covers to advertise. That's it!
I've been reading MUCH about this virus and the vaccination that's meant to be coming out in the next few weeks. If you're Canadian, and you can get your hands on the MacLeans magazine that came out this week, they tackle the topic with thorough, unbiased approach.
Then I came across this article from the Canadian Press that made me chuckle.
The full article is here: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091022/world/us_cda_flu_vaccine
But this is the part that slayed me. It concerns the short fall of vaccine supplies in the U.S.:
Canada's abundant supply of H1N1, meantime, was noted with envy on Wednesday during a Congressional hearing into the swine flu crisis on Capitol Hill. Sen. Joe Lieberman told a Senate committee that the American shortfall of swine-flu vaccine is a result, in part, of countries like Canada choosing to make their own populations a priority. Ottawa pressured Canadian manufacturers to take care of the needs of the Canadian population before they could make vaccine available to the U.S., Lieberman said.
"It's exactly what we would do with an American producer, and it just puts an exclamation point on the importance of developing domestic capacity for production of vaccine in these cases," he said. "I'm not blaming Canada, but I suppose in some sense you could say that the ... shortage of the vaccine today, beneath what we would want it to be, is attributable to foreign countries telling their local manufacturers, 'Hey, you've got to fill our needs before you fill anybody else's."'
But one American who badly wants the vaccine - 29-year-old Katie Hentges of Jefferson City, Mo. - says the blame lies with U.S. officials who failed to anticipate the scope of the H1N1 crisis.
"I'm not miffed at all at Canada," said Hentges, an asthmatic who fears the flu could hit her hard if she catches it. "It's not their fault that Americans are short-sighted and have the dumbest health-care system on the planet."
Goodness -- I'm not even sure what to say about this, except: Senator Lieberman... REALLY?? LOL
Personal Message to M. - nothing mysterious about the raccoon... it made camp on my front porch last spring and it's cute and I have no book covers to advertise. That's it!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Ralph Lauren FAIL
File this under Extreme WTFuckery...
Ralph Lauren photoshops a model to unhealthy proportions, gets called on it, then fires the girl for being too large!
Dear Ralph Lauren,
Not that I drop a large amount of money on your products anyway... but I'm now going to actively go out of my way to purge the house of anything with your moniker on it. And don't expect to ever see my credit card number on your books again.
Read here how she was photoshopped into anorexia: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/06/the-criticism-that-r.html
And here for how she was subsequently fired for being too large!!! She's 5'10" and 120 pounds. Good grief!! http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/fashion-beauty/articles/trends/cp/home_family%20model_in_altered_ralph_lauren_ad_says_she_was_fired_for_being_too_large_
Ralph Lauren photoshops a model to unhealthy proportions, gets called on it, then fires the girl for being too large!
Dear Ralph Lauren,Not that I drop a large amount of money on your products anyway... but I'm now going to actively go out of my way to purge the house of anything with your moniker on it. And don't expect to ever see my credit card number on your books again.
Sincerely,
The Kinsons
Read here how she was photoshopped into anorexia: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/06/the-criticism-that-r.html
And here for how she was subsequently fired for being too large!!! She's 5'10" and 120 pounds. Good grief!! http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/fashion-beauty/articles/trends/cp/home_family%20model_in_altered_ralph_lauren_ad_says_she_was_fired_for_being_too_large_
Saturday, October 17, 2009
SQUEE for GLEE!!
I'm unashamedly hooked on the television show GLEE.
You might not recognize her name, but her imdb credits are well over 100 long so you'd probably recognize her. For me, it was her role as Paula, the electronics store manager in The 40 Year Old Virgin that made her memorable...
A program like Glee -- about the nerds, losers, misfits who make up the school's show choir -- has to settle onto a wire thin tightrope of balance between drama, humor and song. They do it brilliantly, with just enough campiness to not take itself to seriously. And that's important!
The cast is brilliant and though I love Lea Michele's character Rachel, Cory Monteith as Fin and the adorable Matthew Morrison as the Glee Club director Will Schuester, it's Jane Lynch's cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester who completely steals the show. And she doesn't even sing!
You might not recognize her name, but her imdb credits are well over 100 long so you'd probably recognize her. For me, it was her role as Paula, the electronics store manager in The 40 Year Old Virgin that made her memorable...A program like Glee -- about the nerds, losers, misfits who make up the school's show choir -- has to settle onto a wire thin tightrope of balance between drama, humor and song. They do it brilliantly, with just enough campiness to not take itself to seriously. And that's important!
But ignore everything I just said and watch Glee because it will make you feel... Gleeful :)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Best Part of the Holidays? LEFTOVERS!
Up until last night we were still enjoying leftovers from out Thanksgiving dinner. In the spirit of giving (and thanking!) I thought I'd share our favorite dish that works for both Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.
Sweet Potato Casserole
5-6 cups sweet potato, cubed
1/2 cup white sugar (I sometime use less sugar and it tastes just as fine)
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 cup evaporated milk (you can subsitute regular 2% milk)
1 tsp vanilla
topping:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 c cup chopped pecans
directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 C). Boil sweet potatoes in a medium pot until tender, drain and mash.
In a large bowl, mix together sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla - add sweet potato mash and mix until smooth. Transfer into a 9x13 baking dish (or large casserole works well too)
In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse (like crumble topping). Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potatoes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the topping is nice and brown.
Total prep time: approx 30 minutes
Total cooking time: approx 30 minutes.
Makes enough for 12-14 servings
And most importantly, it tastes even better the second and third day.
Enjoy!
Sweet Potato Casserole
5-6 cups sweet potato, cubed
1/2 cup white sugar (I sometime use less sugar and it tastes just as fine)
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 cup evaporated milk (you can subsitute regular 2% milk)
1 tsp vanilla
topping:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 c cup chopped pecans
directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 C). Boil sweet potatoes in a medium pot until tender, drain and mash.
In a large bowl, mix together sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla - add sweet potato mash and mix until smooth. Transfer into a 9x13 baking dish (or large casserole works well too)
In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse (like crumble topping). Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potatoes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the topping is nice and brown.
Total prep time: approx 30 minutes
Total cooking time: approx 30 minutes.
Makes enough for 12-14 servings
And most importantly, it tastes even better the second and third day.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thanksgiving
We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving a couple of days ago and naturally, it got me thinking about all that I'm thankful for. I could easily list a hundred but you'd get bored so here are a few...
Hope you all have things to be thankful for and may the coming year provide you with bounty for the body and soul.
Time for leftovers :)
- My family; Mr. Wylie, Sweetness and Light (aka my 2 sons)
- Our health
- My mother who will celebrate her 90th birthday in 2010
- Our house, and it's abundance of closets
- My friends, too numerous to name
- My readers. All 3 of you ;)
- Red
- My TRW buddies who keep me sane and laughing (and waving pom poms)
- Food ('nuff said)
- My cats - who always seem to know when I need a furry loving cuddle
- Good books
Hope you all have things to be thankful for and may the coming year provide you with bounty for the body and soul.
Time for leftovers :)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Light: The Interview
Last Spring I did an interview with Sweetness, my youngest child. I decided to let the oldest, the Light of my life, have a go. Here's what my 9 year old had to say:
1. WHAT IS SOMETHING MOM ALWAYS SAYS TO YOU? Go to bed
2. WHAT MAKES MOM HAPPY? Chocolate
3. WHAT MAKES MOM SAD? Whenever I do something stupid
4. HOW DOES YOUR MOM MAKE YOU LAUGH? Tickling me
5. WHAT WAS YOUR MOM LIKE AS A CHILD? I have no clue
6. HOW OLD IS YOUR MOM? 42 (ed note: liar!)
7. HOW TALL IS YOUR MOM? About five feet (lies, more lies!!)
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOM’S FAVORITE THING TO DO? I totally don't know
9. WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AROUND? Write
10. IF YOUR MOM BECOMES FAMOUS, WHAT WILL IT BE FOR? Writing a famous book
11. WHAT is YOUR MOM REALLY GOOD AT? Language
12. WHAT IS YOUR MOM NOT VERY GOOD AT? Math (okay, the lies have stopped...)
13. WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO FOR HER JOB? Writes
14. WHAT IS YOUR MOM’S FAVORITE FOOD? Chocolate
15. WHAT MAKES YOUR MOM PROUD OF YOU? Whenever I do something good (ah... it IS sinking in!)
16. IF YOUR MOM WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD SHE BE? Sandy Cheeks (from Spongebob)
17. WHAT DO YOU AND YOUR MOM DO TOGETHER? watch tv, cuddle in bed, read
18. HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR MOM THE SAME? We both like reading, we both like Mighty B, we like going to the movies
19. HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR MOM DIFFERENT? gender, she's good at language and I'm good at math, age, she owns the house
20. HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR MOM LOVES YOU? Because she shows it by hugs and kisses and she likes to cuddle me
21. WHERE IS YOUR MOM’S FAVORITE PLACE TO GO? to visit her mom
22. HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE YOUR MOM? 99 out of 100 because sometimes she's mean to me but mostly she's nice
1. WHAT IS SOMETHING MOM ALWAYS SAYS TO YOU? Go to bed
2. WHAT MAKES MOM HAPPY? Chocolate
3. WHAT MAKES MOM SAD? Whenever I do something stupid
4. HOW DOES YOUR MOM MAKE YOU LAUGH? Tickling me
5. WHAT WAS YOUR MOM LIKE AS A CHILD? I have no clue
6. HOW OLD IS YOUR MOM? 42 (ed note: liar!)
7. HOW TALL IS YOUR MOM? About five feet (lies, more lies!!)
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOM’S FAVORITE THING TO DO? I totally don't know
9. WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AROUND? Write
10. IF YOUR MOM BECOMES FAMOUS, WHAT WILL IT BE FOR? Writing a famous book
11. WHAT is YOUR MOM REALLY GOOD AT? Language
12. WHAT IS YOUR MOM NOT VERY GOOD AT? Math (okay, the lies have stopped...)
13. WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO FOR HER JOB? Writes
14. WHAT IS YOUR MOM’S FAVORITE FOOD? Chocolate
15. WHAT MAKES YOUR MOM PROUD OF YOU? Whenever I do something good (ah... it IS sinking in!)
16. IF YOUR MOM WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER, WHO WOULD SHE BE? Sandy Cheeks (from Spongebob)
17. WHAT DO YOU AND YOUR MOM DO TOGETHER? watch tv, cuddle in bed, read
18. HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR MOM THE SAME? We both like reading, we both like Mighty B, we like going to the movies
19. HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR MOM DIFFERENT? gender, she's good at language and I'm good at math, age, she owns the house
20. HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR MOM LOVES YOU? Because she shows it by hugs and kisses and she likes to cuddle me
21. WHERE IS YOUR MOM’S FAVORITE PLACE TO GO? to visit her mom
22. HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE YOUR MOM? 99 out of 100 because sometimes she's mean to me but mostly she's nice
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Wylie's Watching...
I've been sucked pretty hard into television this season. I vowed not to add any shows to the must-watch list, but much like the diet, I succumbed to temptation.
Here's what I'm excited about:
FlashForward - I was hooked as soon as I saw the cast. Joseph Fiennes (that's Ralph's brother - remember him from Shakespeare in Love?), whom i adore even with the phony American accent, a few cast members from LOST, a brief appearance by Alex Kingston (Elizabeth from ER) and other familiar faces...
It's based on a Robert Sawyer book about a strange phenomenon whereby everyone in the world blacks out at exactly same time and foresees a moment in their future.
Glee - I absolutely ADORE it! It makes me feel good!! Song, dance, great cast. It should be called SQUEE!
Those I'm loyal to from years past:
Fringe - fills the void the X-Files left all those years ago.
Bones - especially since I'm now caught up on past seasons so finally feel like I know what's going on...
Castle - Nathan Fillion. That's all I'm sayin'.
House and Lie To Me - because I seem to enjoy totally obnoxious, know-it-all men?? Hmm... both are British actors. As is Joe Fiennes from FlashForward. I'm sensing a trend...
Shows that didn't hook me (after 2 or more episodes):
Vampire Diaries: Too angsty and, does no one in highschool have parents? The dialogue is soap-operaish (and I should know, having had that one line in Y&R all those years ago - *snort*)
Eastwick: meh. But I'll say this: Rebecca Romijn is gorgeous.
And I'm not doing ANY reality shows this year. NONE. This year, I'm going scripted :)
What new shows have your fire burning, kids?
Better yet, what have dumped or refused to watch?
Tell, tell, tell!!!
Here's what I'm excited about:
FlashForward - I was hooked as soon as I saw the cast. Joseph Fiennes (that's Ralph's brother - remember him from Shakespeare in Love?), whom i adore even with the phony American accent, a few cast members from LOST, a brief appearance by Alex Kingston (Elizabeth from ER) and other familiar faces...
It's based on a Robert Sawyer book about a strange phenomenon whereby everyone in the world blacks out at exactly same time and foresees a moment in their future.
Glee - I absolutely ADORE it! It makes me feel good!! Song, dance, great cast. It should be called SQUEE!
Those I'm loyal to from years past:
Fringe - fills the void the X-Files left all those years ago.
Bones - especially since I'm now caught up on past seasons so finally feel like I know what's going on...
Castle - Nathan Fillion. That's all I'm sayin'.
House and Lie To Me - because I seem to enjoy totally obnoxious, know-it-all men?? Hmm... both are British actors. As is Joe Fiennes from FlashForward. I'm sensing a trend...
Shows that didn't hook me (after 2 or more episodes):
Vampire Diaries: Too angsty and, does no one in highschool have parents? The dialogue is soap-operaish (and I should know, having had that one line in Y&R all those years ago - *snort*)
Eastwick: meh. But I'll say this: Rebecca Romijn is gorgeous.
And I'm not doing ANY reality shows this year. NONE. This year, I'm going scripted :)
What new shows have your fire burning, kids?
Better yet, what have dumped or refused to watch?
Tell, tell, tell!!!
Monday, October 05, 2009
Writer in Residence at Toronto Public Libraries
If you get a moment...
Fellow TRW member Deborah Cooke is currently the Writer-in-Residence at the Toronto Public Libraries. Deborah is the FIRST romance writer in this position which is very exciting!
Writing since the early 90's, Deb(who also writes as Claire Cross and Claire Delacroix) is a font of knowledge when it comes to the publishing industry, so please, check out her blog posts while she's 'representin' us HEA writers :)
http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/deborahcooke
Fellow TRW member Deborah Cooke is currently the Writer-in-Residence at the Toronto Public Libraries. Deborah is the FIRST romance writer in this position which is very exciting!
Writing since the early 90's, Deb(who also writes as Claire Cross and Claire Delacroix) is a font of knowledge when it comes to the publishing industry, so please, check out her blog posts while she's 'representin' us HEA writers :)
http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/deborahcooke
Friday, October 02, 2009
Hockey Night in Canada
I had the pleasure of going to see an NHL game last weekend. It was so exciting to be part of the fan crazy - and believe me, there was tons of fan crazy! The Toronto Maple Leaf fans are known for it. And despite the rant I'm about to go on, I loved it. Every tense second. I'd jump at the chance to go to another... if only the tickets weren't so prohibitively expensive.
BUT...
The fights. Ridiculous! Gloves flying off, grown men beating on each other like schoolyard bullies... what's up with that?
No less than three major fights broke out, one even caused some blood on the ice (okay, that totally turned my on, but that's a whole 'nuther show, people).
No less than three major fights broke out, one even caused some blood on the ice (okay, that totally turned my on, but that's a whole 'nuther show, people).
What did they get? 2 minute penalties for roughing, 5 minutes for fighting or charging. Puh-lease. And they got to sit in a little box on the other side of the ice from their team mates. Hardly a deterrent.
I say - increase the penalty to no less than 10 minutes and make them sit with the other team. Ha! See if you can big boys can deal with that.
Where else is this crap allowed? You don't see Tiger beating down on Vijay. Selena doesn't jump the net and put her sister in a headlock!
It's called sportsmanship. It should be part of the rules.
Here's my other solution -- Fire the refs, let some MOMS out there. Here's how it would go down:
"What did you say to me? He started it? Really? Because that's not what I saw.... and don't you lie to me, I have eyes in the back of my damn head.
Now stop your whining and go stand in the corner.
No, not the penalty box where you can still watch the game. You stand in the corner, on your tip toes and you THINK about what you did, young man. Ten minutes. You heard me! And if you don't watch your lip, you'll be licking the soap."
Incase you're interested, Leafs beat the Flyers 5 - 4 in overtime.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Writing, or at least i think it is.
With both kids back at school (though one is only in kindergarden so 1/2 days only), I've managed to get back to writing. YAY!
At least I think it's writing... I'm so rusty that the words are coming agonizingly slow. And I'm very unsure of myself so have been relying on my good buddy Red Garnier (who has a novel coming out this December called Satin Sash that is sooooo hot it will make your toes curl!) for the occassional ego boost. Everyone needs a Red in their life. Truly. Someone who'll read your sh*t and assure that you don't suck, but also make little suggestions to take an okay scene into a rockin' good piece of fluff :)
What am I working on?
A light contemporary. I'm aiming for category length, but we'll see. I've never been good at sticking to expected word counts so I may end up with a saga.
What are you working on?
At least I think it's writing... I'm so rusty that the words are coming agonizingly slow. And I'm very unsure of myself so have been relying on my good buddy Red Garnier (who has a novel coming out this December called Satin Sash that is sooooo hot it will make your toes curl!) for the occassional ego boost. Everyone needs a Red in their life. Truly. Someone who'll read your sh*t and assure that you don't suck, but also make little suggestions to take an okay scene into a rockin' good piece of fluff :)
What am I working on?
A light contemporary. I'm aiming for category length, but we'll see. I've never been good at sticking to expected word counts so I may end up with a saga.
What are you working on?
Friday, September 25, 2009
But she promised to only brag once!
Hey, remember I mentioned that futuristic, post-apocalyptic book of mine that finalled in the Original Golden Opportunity Contest -- JUMP ZONE???
(Yes, I know... I promised to only brag once... but this is more of a reference point rather than outright tooting-of-horn)
Where was I? Oh yes, the future! It's impossible to foresee the future but one must make educated guesses, extrapolations, etc... based on the knowledge we now have. A writer's future world MUST have some degree of authenticity so readers don't toss it to the wall and declare it absolute rubbish.
In my case, I wrote about a future world that was devasted by a combination of war and climate change... so naturally, I can't wait to see this film starring one of my fave Brit actors Pete Postlethwaite (try saying that name after a few pints!):
The Age of Stupid: A wakeup call on climate change
I'd love your thoughts.
One last thing. If you enjoy historical romances and you haven't read Judith James's BROKEN WING, I urge you to. It's very different. Busts the comfortable barriers of more traditional HRs but in a refreshing, dark and dramatic way. Go. Read. Support this book.
(Yes, I know... I promised to only brag once... but this is more of a reference point rather than outright tooting-of-horn)
Where was I? Oh yes, the future! It's impossible to foresee the future but one must make educated guesses, extrapolations, etc... based on the knowledge we now have. A writer's future world MUST have some degree of authenticity so readers don't toss it to the wall and declare it absolute rubbish.
In my case, I wrote about a future world that was devasted by a combination of war and climate change... so naturally, I can't wait to see this film starring one of my fave Brit actors Pete Postlethwaite (try saying that name after a few pints!):
The Age of Stupid: A wakeup call on climate change
I'd love your thoughts.
One last thing. If you enjoy historical romances and you haven't read Judith James's BROKEN WING, I urge you to. It's very different. Busts the comfortable barriers of more traditional HRs but in a refreshing, dark and dramatic way. Go. Read. Support this book.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
What's in your mouth?
A friend mentioned that she'd had a few metal amalgams removed.
I thought she was talking about her star chart...
alas, I am stupid. Amalgams are dental fillings.
Like most good Canadian children who were raised on pixie sticks and MacIntosh toffee, I have a fair share of mercury amalgams myself so naturally I asked her why she was getting hers removed.
Apparently, mercury is a dangerous substance to have in our bodies (right Jeremy Piven??) and they've outright banned mercury amalgams in many countries. In Canada, they're not given to pregnant women or children. But the U.S. FDA seems to think they're okay.
I realize there are always two sides to the story, and having read a bit on both points of few, decided to share my favorite article (at least the one that made me groan, chuckle and gasp with fear):
http://www.oneradionetwork.com/health_-_articles/dental_healing_-_articles/mercury_dental_amalgams_banned_in_3_countries_20090114717/
I especially liked the bit about a school evacution due to a teeny tiny amount of mercury leaking from a necklace.
Perhaps this will age me, but when I was in school -- elementary and highschool -- a big highlight in science class was a game of Let's Chase the Mercury! whereby the teacher spilled the silver liquid on the floor and we stupid unsuspecting and now quite poisoned children ran after the little balls as they scattered about.
Any one else?? LOL
Guess I'll see you on the Alzheimer's Ward in a few...
I thought she was talking about her star chart...
alas, I am stupid. Amalgams are dental fillings.
Like most good Canadian children who were raised on pixie sticks and MacIntosh toffee, I have a fair share of mercury amalgams myself so naturally I asked her why she was getting hers removed.
Apparently, mercury is a dangerous substance to have in our bodies (right Jeremy Piven??) and they've outright banned mercury amalgams in many countries. In Canada, they're not given to pregnant women or children. But the U.S. FDA seems to think they're okay.
I realize there are always two sides to the story, and having read a bit on both points of few, decided to share my favorite article (at least the one that made me groan, chuckle and gasp with fear):
http://www.oneradionetwork.com/health_-_articles/dental_healing_-_articles/mercury_dental_amalgams_banned_in_3_countries_20090114717/
I especially liked the bit about a school evacution due to a teeny tiny amount of mercury leaking from a necklace.
Perhaps this will age me, but when I was in school -- elementary and highschool -- a big highlight in science class was a game of Let's Chase the Mercury! whereby the teacher spilled the silver liquid on the floor and we stupid unsuspecting and now quite poisoned children ran after the little balls as they scattered about.
Any one else?? LOL
Guess I'll see you on the Alzheimer's Ward in a few...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Summer Lovin'
Hello Blogworld! It's been awhile :)
One heck of a busy summer. But it had a GLORIOUS ending, which I'll brag about just once, I promise:
My futuristic, post-apocalyptic novel, Jump Zone, finalled in the Original Golden Opportunity Contest and is now sitting on the desk of a Dorchester editor for a final round of judging. Squee!
My fellow Toronto Romance Writer, Bonnie Staring, finalled too in they YA category, so let's give a WHOOP to the BonStar!! (pom pom swish)
**
And your Summer Lovin' activities? Come on, play along and tell me, what was the HIGHLIGHT of your holidays?
One heck of a busy summer. But it had a GLORIOUS ending, which I'll brag about just once, I promise:
My futuristic, post-apocalyptic novel, Jump Zone, finalled in the Original Golden Opportunity Contest and is now sitting on the desk of a Dorchester editor for a final round of judging. Squee!
My fellow Toronto Romance Writer, Bonnie Staring, finalled too in they YA category, so let's give a WHOOP to the BonStar!! (pom pom swish)
**
And your Summer Lovin' activities? Come on, play along and tell me, what was the HIGHLIGHT of your holidays?
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Hey, where'd she go?
Kinda quiet in here...
Nope - didn't fall of the end of the earth, but motherhood is smothering the Wylie right out of me! Haven't written lately (but hoping to change that soon) due to a badly planned overkill of children's activities ranging from school projects (Grade 4 is HARD!!!), martial arts and soccer. I don't remember my childhood being this crazy. Better go check with my mom...
Blogging has sadly fallen off the priority list, but before I disappear for another extended period of time (otherwise known as summer holidays) I must mention:
Thomma Lyn Grindstaff's Mirror Blue is out. This literary romance is a MUST READ. Her characters are richly drawn and grounded in real-life, full of conflict and utterly engaging. (And she's the only author I know who can mix cats, hogs and snakes effortlessly into a plot!! LOL)
Happy summer!
Nope - didn't fall of the end of the earth, but motherhood is smothering the Wylie right out of me! Haven't written lately (but hoping to change that soon) due to a badly planned overkill of children's activities ranging from school projects (Grade 4 is HARD!!!), martial arts and soccer. I don't remember my childhood being this crazy. Better go check with my mom...
Blogging has sadly fallen off the priority list, but before I disappear for another extended period of time (otherwise known as summer holidays) I must mention:
Thomma Lyn Grindstaff's Mirror Blue is out. This literary romance is a MUST READ. Her characters are richly drawn and grounded in real-life, full of conflict and utterly engaging. (And she's the only author I know who can mix cats, hogs and snakes effortlessly into a plot!! LOL)
Happy summer!
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Changing of the Guard
My Uncle Bill died last week at the sprightly age of 93 and it hit me really hard. He was one of the remaining few of my mom's generation.
It's scary - watching these matriarchs and patriarchs go down, one by one, leaving gaps in the front lines -- gaps that MY generation have to fill. We've all taken one proverbial step forward, becoming the new guard, becoming the 'adults' in the eyes of our own children -- protectors, the 'wise ones'.
I'm scared.
It's scary - watching these matriarchs and patriarchs go down, one by one, leaving gaps in the front lines -- gaps that MY generation have to fill. We've all taken one proverbial step forward, becoming the new guard, becoming the 'adults' in the eyes of our own children -- protectors, the 'wise ones'.
I'm scared.
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