Category Archives: writing

Writers retreat on Vancouver Island

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I just finished a two day get away for a writing retreat. It was fantastic. I’d never done this before and didn’t know exactly what to expect.

But having the time set aside turned out to be the first big gift. When do you get a chance to set aside two days dedicated to writing? It’s never happened for me. It gave me a freedom to just get started. I haven’t been writing for a few months – too many other issues arising including health problems, business concerns, family responsibilities. I began to think I’d lost my muse. 🙂

It wasn’t automatic and the words didn’t flow smoothly at first, but the process did get me going. I’m so grateful.

Then to have other writers there to bounce ideas off of, to ask for suggestions and receive their support was a real gift. It meant having some serious intense discussions, and laughing a lot. Thank you to my writer community for taking the time. I’m definitely going to do it again.

Above is the fabulous place we stayed on Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island. The water was fabulous.

Beautiful Vancouver Island waters

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Here is a view of the lake at sunset, just before the rain came. The water is so lovely, clear and cool. I have been trying to swim everyday, because it is such a luxury to be up here and have a chance to relax and heal.

I hope you are having a great end of summer as well, with a bit of time to rest and treat yourself before the whole hustle and bustle begins again. 🙂 Writing will start in earnest once fall really hits.

Hot and Dry – wildfires in BC

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Red dahlias

We have had an incredible summer of heat and dryness in British Columbia. Yes, we’ve had wildfires, some from nature, some manmade. Our rivers are low, the salmon are suffering as they swim upstream to spawn. The forests show the effect of lack of rain –the cedars especially seem able to let whole branches go brown and drop to the ground so the rest of the tree continues to survive.

My garden is struggling. The tomatoes on the deck are too hot, even with lots of water, and the fruit starts to rot even as it ripens. Those growing in the upper garden are coming more slowly and most seem to survive long enough to turn a lovely red. I have a huge zuchini plant which gave me one fruit, about 20 inches long and weighing 5 pounds. Everything seems to be out of whack!

The dahlias? Only the red pompoms are blooming. It is so weird. I have 16 different varieties. I don’t know them by name but by description, yet other than red pompoms, I have 1 white, 1 adobe, 1 yellow (with stems so short I can’t cut them and put them in vases). Does this mean only the red ones like this heat? Hard to tell.

How are you surviving the hot weather? I”m not writing and not at work, so I’m going to cool off with a swim in the lake. 🙂

Comment on a blog – is there a right way?

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Connect with your favourite blogger, and the best way is through leaving a comment. Is there a right way to do that?

We all like to connect with a blogger who writes information we can use and appreciate. Kevin Duncan, on http://boostblogtraffic.com/ has written an interesting column on how to go about it. His goal – to connect with the bloggers you enjoy and who you feel can contribute to your own strength on blog sites.

Kevin talks about the bad habits to avoid. Click on the link below to read them. But more interesting are the 4 good habits that he recommends.

1: The Greeting– personalize your comment. All it takes is to include the name of the author. If you’re hoping to catch the attention of bloggers and strike up a relationship, a healthy dose of etiquette will help.

2: The Compliment – make it sincere. You can focus on the blogger, the post, or a combination of the two. If you’re a fan of the blogger’s work, say so. Even better, refer to specific example where their writing has helped you. If you focus on the post, pick a particular point that hit home, and tell them that.

3: Added Value– good comments add extra value to a post. Think about what value you can add by your comments. He suggests mentioning personal insights or anecdotes, or asking thoughtful qustions about the topic.

4: The Parting Promise – I enjoyed this one, as I hadn’t given it much thought. Let them know you’ll share their blog. It’s the perfect compliment when you feel compelled to share what has already helped you. Make sure to tell the blogger so.

You can find the full blog at

http://boostblogtraffic.com/blog-comments/?inf_contact_key=da616ab47ff4c4be2606b9bf34e4befbbc68bfa436b9195eecdbdcf9daa94a1f

The Last War: Book One, Khandarken Rising

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Khandarken rising_CVR_SMLSci fi and fantasy rolled into one with a sure hand and enormous imagination.

On sale, July 4 to 7 for $.99 ebook

Click HERE to buy.

Back Blurb – The Emperor has been defeated. New countries have arisen from the ashes of the old Empire. The citizens swear they will never need to fight again after that long and painful war.

Bethlehem Farmer is helping her brother Abram run Farmer Holdings in south Khandarken after their father died in the final battles. She is looking after the dispossessed, keeping the farm productive and the talc mine working in the hills behind their land. But when Abram takes a trip with Uncle Jade into the northern territory and disappears without a trace, she’s left on her own. Suddenly things are not what they seem and no one can be trusted.

Major Dante Regiment is sent by his father, the General of Khandarken, to find out what the situation is at Farmer Holdings. What he sees shakes him to the core and fuels his grim determination to protect Bethlehem at all cost, even with his life.

Ms Grayson has created a fascinating new world with a lot of the same old problems.