I posted a motivational blurb on the SCBWI Canada East website today, about slogging it through the last days of November's novel-writing challenge. I have never actually made the NaNoWriMo journey, meaning I've never done a start-to-finish draft in the month of November. I've started books, and I've finished books, but never both in November.… Continue reading NaNoWriMo on the Slow Track
It's the first day of Inktober. Illustrators know this. The rest of us might not -- but we should, all of us. Because Inktober is awesome. And it's for everyone. Inktober began in 2009, by artist Jake Parker, as a challenge to improve drawing skills and practices. The gist is simple: you make an ink drawing… Continue reading Inktober for those afraid to Draw
The Goodreads folk are awfully good at keeping in touch. They send me monthly updates, alert me when a favourite author publishes a new book, advise me on how to generate reader interest in my own books, and notify me whenever someone likes one of my reviews. Alas, I cannot reciprocate in good time! Even their notices reminding me,… Continue reading Oh my Goodreads!
You may know the old story, The Child and the Brook: One day an old man was out walking when he noticed a child standing by the side of a stream. The boy stood there for over an hour, shifting from leg to leg, fidgeting, sighing, and staring at the water. "Why do you gaze so… Continue reading Friday Fable: The Writer and the Busy Life
You may know the old story, "The Fox and the Goat:" Prologue: A fox fell into a well and couldn't get out on his own. He swam there for a while making plans... 5 hours later: A goat was walking through the farm, just minding his own business eating a shirt, when the fox called to him from inside the… Continue reading Friday Fable: the Writer and the Missing Links
Catherine Austen 