May 19, 2006

OOPS …

Look who dropped by at 05:45 this morning And no, it’s NOT my car. It is my ditch though. The screech of tires followed by that peculiar thud of a car meeting solid object aroused me from my slumber. This was followed by whining tires as the driver tried to reverse out. Yeah, right. Then he or she ran away. Next the cops arrived … which wasn’t on my work schedule, and this odd disruption set the tone for the rest of my day. Nothing went quite exactly as planned. Which totally threw my writing.

And this – yes, there is a point this – reminded of a snippet of wisdom contained between the covers of one of my all-time favorite non-fiction works, Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why. It’s a fascinating scientific investigation into what makes a survivor in some of the most desperate of human conditions — a study of why one man miraculously survives against all odds while everyone else dies. And it draws on some bone-chilling real-life examples to illustrate point. It’s also a touching story about the relationship between a very alpha father and his A-type personality son. Plus the writing is incredibly engaging.

But in addition to all that, the book is a powerful illustration of what makes a survivor in ANY life situation — whether it’s a tough family environment or even just the business of writing fiction. Who survies, and why. One of the key traits of the survivor personality, according to Laurence Gonzales, is the ability to adjust a mental mind map. In other words, stay flexible, fluid, go with the flow, while still keeping an eye on the original prize. Another critical trait is the ability to maintain what Buddhists refer to as ‘the beginners mind’, a state where everything is fresh, and possible. Where experience, hubris, or a jaded outlook don’t get in the way of trying new things … to seeking novel ways to defy death against all odds.

These are two traits I hope to hold onto as I tread the romance writer’s road. I was reminded this morning, in a silly little way, to stay fluid. And later, while scrolling through the romance writing blogosphere, I was reminded that I want to keep that beginner’s mindset. Where everything is possible. And still exciting. Some may see it as naive. I prefer to think of it as survival.  

Yeah, yeah … I know … meet me back here in a few years and we’ll see how I actually fared

Oh, and a little bit of comment on the new name — Silhouette Romantic Suspense — here, and here

What do you think?

May 18, 2006

The bare facts

It’s been one year, almost to the day, since my bad bear encounter while running alone, and this stone bear carving is so far the only one I’ve seen this season. I’m okay with that . But it’s not to say they’re not around. DD’s school was on bear alert for the second time today, with the kids held inside while a mother and her cub sauntered about outside. And I have a very nice photograph of a steering wheel — DH sort of missed while trying to shoot one while driving yesterday.

On the writing front, I’m looking at bare facts, too –  cutting my new synopses down for maximum impact.

My Path- Gypsy Drum

My Time – 37:41

My Beat – Greased Lightning — Don’t laugh. This tune carried me right over the 2005 Marathon line …. and I needed the inspiration. It was hot. Damned hot.

May 17, 2006

BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER FITZ

A little bit of hot sun, the snows begin to melt, and within hours the valley rivers rise to flood levels. That’s the CN railway line you can see over the Fitzsimmons River. Usually there is open bridge space under it — space several feet deep. This water is very, very deep, and literally ice cold as it threatens to spill over the tracks. The color is from suspended particles of glacial silt, and while deceptively flat on the surface, the Fitz has claimed lives in the time I have lived in this valley.

But as I ran over the glacial Fitz today, hazy heat relentless on my back, on the bare skin of my arms, my imagination was back in Africa, my native land. The thick heat I was feeling was that of the Ivory Coast. And instead of predatory bruins waiting to attack as I entered the cool mossy darkness of the forest, it was rebel cadres waiting with kalashnikovs in the shadows. I had become my heroine. She was breathing hard… running hard, throat burning, perspiration plastering her shirt to her belly, sweat dripping into her eyes. Her fear real. Her life threatened. My pulse raced. And my scene was in the bag. Cut.

They say write what you know, but what you don’t know can also become what you do … if you only pull the threads from your daily existence and weave them into your imagination.

And boy, don’t you just love this job and where it can take you the space of an hour?

For the writers out there, where did you go today?

May 16, 2006

CLEAR SKIES … AND HOT …

… Is the forecast for the road ahead — at least for the next few days, which is generally more than one can expect in a rainforest climate. And the sun has things busting out anew on several fronts, including dandelions, skunk cabbage, bears, winter-white limbs, and translucent spring buds.

But most of all I am delighted to announce that Silhouette Intimate Moments will have a NEW name!! Come February 2007 the line will be known as Silhouette Romantic Suspense, which will give readers a better indication of what to expect from the new vision. For the announcement and re-vamped writing guidelines check out the  eHarlequin site. And starting from October this year, the new-look covers will be phased in. This is simply mahvelous news since the first book in my Shadow Soldiers trilogy launches October 2006. Can’t wait to see the fresh image!!

On a more personal front — I am the proud owner of a new pair of board shorts, and new running shoes with super bouncy insteps . They have officially been christened my 2006 marathon shoes, and today they took me to a new time along my old route, despite the hills, burning high-altitude rays, and serious lack of hydration. I always find those first really hot running days tough. Oh, and I started a new training eating plan — lots of fresh fruit and salads (yum!), more complex carbs, brown rice instead of white, more green tea, broccoli, and fresh ginger, more natural yoghurt, and less coffee and chocolate. Yeah, we’ll see how the last two go . I adore a perfect cuppa Joe. And chocolate? Nuff said. Will have to try and aim for the runner’s high instead. 

I also have a new book underway, and my new computer seems to be working just fine — touch wood. I’ve been told Dell is not what it used be. The tech support in India was certainly a challenge. Not even going to go there.

And on the blogging front, I discovered Tess Gerritsen’s blog has had an upgrade. Tess is one of my favorite writing personalities. I’ve never met her. I’ve never even SEEN her. But I do stalk her around cyberspace (poor woman). Why? JA Konrath says it all. And because Tess has now enabled comments on her site (poor woman ) I found Konrath’s blog. He seems pretty cool himself.

Remind me to watch my cyber time!!

May 15, 2006

WHERE MY IMAGINATION LIVES

Bob Mayer calls it WARGAMING, which I like, because is sounds equal part combat and fun. Stephen King refers to it as connecting with his BOYS IN THE BASEMENT — and you do not want to know what DH thinks the boys in men’s basements are all about ;). Jenny Crusie has her GIRLS IN THE BASEMENT (and exquisite collages), and yet others have their GIRLS IN THE ATTIC.

I know I’m switching it up a little here, but whatever — or however – one refers to that thrilling opening up of the psyche at the brainstorming (or wild first draft) stage of a novel, it has simply got to be the ‘funnest’ part of the writing process. I usually know I am about to be pulled fully into it when I begin to have crazy, vivid, and often terrifying dreams that involve going under water. I’m either viciously hauled under a river by a freak wave or current; brutally drowned by a tidal wave, or flood; or swallowed by an ocean while trying desperately to save someone. In these dreams I fight for my life, but always lose … only to discover that once deep under the surface, there is incredible peace, wonder and beauty  … plus an extraordinary ability to breathe .  But this place is not without its perils. Because down here, monsters lurk too.

I believe THIS is where my muse lives – underwater, below the surface (classic mythological theme here) in a primordial soup of weird stuff — a place that is at once colorful, dark, dangerous, mysterious, out of the ordinary … not safe. Now if only I could learn to take myself there at will, instead of just waiting for the dreams. Because once they do come, I am suddenly strangely in my creative zone.

Where does your muse live? And how do you know when you’re in touch with it?

May 14, 2006

Woman Spirit

She’s Woman Spirit, and according to local First Nations lore, you will always find her near water. This woman spirit was carved from stone by Laurence, a local First Nations sculptor whose last name escapes me. She stands guard near a stream in the valley wetlands and she was there with me on my 22 kilometre run on Mother’s Day. After which my family took me down the River of Golden dreams in our red canoe, which was … interesting. Monday morning my Big Baby takes me out for brunch.

And below is another mum on mum’s day – a Canada goose on her nest in the wetlands (before fast flowing water and beaver dam weirs forced me to bag and strap my camera down and get paddling

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I can hardly walk tonight I am so stiff … and sunburned despite SPF 30. Was a glorious day in the rainforest.