Delays, delays

Sorry, I haven't posted any updates, but I've experienced nothing but delays this fall, so there hasn't been much to tell. Finally Time Meddlers Undercover is available at Amazon and the publisher's web site. It may still be some time before it's available in other bookstores. My launch has been delayed as well. I'm shooting for January now. But I'm hoping to get signed books to those who requested them soon.

As for other news, I've thoroughly enjoyed teaching fiction writing at the Shenkman Arts Centre. It was a treat and inspiration to meet enthusiastic new writers and encourage them to develop their skills as they begin a career that is both exciting and challenging. The course will resume again in January.

Now, as far as my web site is concerned, I've finally revamped the biography section and added a new photo. I'm hoping my web master can get around to changing this one in my blog as well. I'd be happy to see the death of it. But new adaptations may take some time. I was hoping to add a "fun stuff" area and the book trailer for Time Meddlers Undercover. In the meantime, I'm adding the trailer here: (and for some reason it's posting a double image--just ignore the second one).

Fall Update--School Visits, Writing Course

Book Tour

I will be traveling to southern Ontario this fall where I have some school visits planned and I'll be doing a signing at the Birtch Farms Applefest. There have been some delays in the publication process, so I may not have copies of Time Meddlers Undercover with me. If that's the case, I'll try to make another trip to the Woodstock area this fall, or at the latest, around the Christmas Break.

Writing course

I will also begin teaching a writing course at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans. It's called "A Novel Idea 1." Don't groan. I didn't come with the name. My initial proposal was for a children's writing course, because there is nothing available for enthusiastic young writers, but, at the time, it was too late to insert it into the listing, so that course will begin in the spring. But when approached about teaching the adult course, I decided it would be a perfect opportunity to share what I've learned about the writing process and help others improve their craft.

Launch

Regarding the upcoming launch of Time Meddlers Undercover, I'll post details once they're finalized. Hope to see you there.

Web Site Update

Just to let you know, I have added a new page to my web site for Time Meddlers Undercover. It has basic information on the Special Operations Executive, Anne Frank, and the Dutch Resistance. It also has a little personal note, and some reading group questions in the Bonus section--please don't read these unless you've read the book. Release is still scheduled for the fall. What do you think of the cover? I think it illustrates a great deal of what this book is about, and captures the deadly atmosphere.

Now I'm on to other things. Time Meddlers Three, first draft done. I have some ideas for a YA series--little romance, little supernatural activity, great tropical setting, intriquing characters. This should take me a few months, or years. . .

March Break

Just a wonderful break, and we didn't go far. A museum trek: The Aviation Museum, to get some dazzling photos for the website and take in the gargantuan aircraft. The Museum of Civilization, to gawk at the Egyptian exhibit--Ramses II statue, a couple of mummies and amazing artifacts. We took in a movie and a hockey game--the Senators even won! Like a holiday at home, but the sun was deceptive. It's still Ottawa, after all.

I'd like to thank Mrs. Shaheen's Grade 6 class for the incredible letters! I'm busy answering them, but it may take me a few days. I'm tickled pink that you enjoyed Time Meddlers so much. To answer a recurring question--No, Matt and Sarah are not based on anyone in particular. Although there may be a few traits that my kids and I share with them, they are entirely the product of my imagination. But I love them just the same.

Letters in the mail soon . . .

New Release Date

Actually,the release date has been moved up. We're now looking at a fall release, September 28. I hope everything will go according to schedule. In the meantime, I should be posting information about Time Meddlers Undercover on my website shortly. It will give you a comprehensive look at some of the research components of TMU. Hope you find it interesting.

Release Date

Hi there. I just received word of a tentative release date for Time Meddlers Undercover. It should be December 28, 2009, but I won't hold my breath, because you know how these things go. I should have some information about it, a cover page, and the first chapter up on my website in the near future.

Stay tuned . . .

Back from Sunny Florida

Hi there. I just got back from a much-needed vacation in the south of Florida. It was wonderful to escape the snow. I've included a couple of photos, since I had quite the experience.

Pristine beach, Bonita Springs

On our excursions we ran into this "little" fellow: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. Luckily avoided a nasty bite.

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

And we tried to keep out of range of the dozens of alligators, except when I was trying to get a good shot.

Highway 41, near the Everglades.

But mostly, we encountered these fearless guys!

Time Meddlers up at Fictionwise

Just a little note to let you know that Time Meddlers has just been released as an e-book on Fictionwise. Already it has leaped onto the bestseller list, after one day. Interesting, and rather exciting! I will have some more news shortly regarding Time Meddlers Undercover--hopefully a release date.

First Draft Almost Complete

Yes, I'm still waiting on Time Meddlers Undercover. An endless process, I know. In the meantime I've nearly completed the first draft of Time Meddlers 3. Now, first draft means just that. I like to leave it to grow dusty in a drawer for a few months before I pull it out again and begin revising. But I really think it's coming!

Update and Kindle

Okay, the fall season is upon us, and usually that sends me into a melancholy mood, thinking of impending snowfalls and bitter winter cold. But, instead, I've been focusing on the "next" project. Time Meddlers Undercover is presently in the editor's hands, and I must wait for news on revisions, and a release date. So . . . I've been researching and have begun to write the first draft of Time Meddlers 3. If you have access to Facebook, and have been tracking the books I've been reading, you may get a sense of which time period and what direction the next book will take, but I'm not giving anything away at this point.

The last few weeks I have been attending writers' conferences as well. It's always a great experience to meet with other writers, discuss the business, and get a sense of what is occurring in the publishing industry. The Amazon Kindle seems to be catching fire, even with agents, because of its convenience. However, I still think much more can be done with it. Considering the electronic age we live in, the amazing computer graphics, why can't they combine an electronic book with additional graphic components and make it more enticing to children? Since most kids are hooked on electronics anyway--you know you are--it would be the ideal solution to drawing them back to books. Imagine, the author describes a particular setting, or character, and you click on a highlighted word—-up pops the scene or character. Or, let's say there’s an action sequence that merits a second look. Click, pop, you’re actually witnessing the sequence, almost like a movie. I know it's been done with multimedia books, without the greatest success because of expense, but if the cost could be lowered, it might be another option for children other than video games. That's my opinion anyway.

Finally, I will be resuming school visits again this school year. If you're interested in having me visit your school, you can email me regarding a possible date, and I will be happy to discuss it with you.

Well, summer is almost over, and so is Time Meddlers Undercover. Besides giving a few more polishes to the manuscript, I've been traveling, exploring, something I love to do. This summer my family and I did our traditional camping trip to Algonquin Park, but we also discovered the east coast of Canada. Here are a few shots of our excursion:

Grand Falls, New Brunswick--Still shots can't capture the force of the water barreling through this canyon.

One misty morning on the Fundy Trail, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick.



Waterfall, Fundy Trail




St. Martin's Caves, New Brunswick.
These are sea caves exposed only during low tide. Right now we're walking on the bare sea floor.

Seaweed, snails and barnacles. The sea floor, Bay of Fundy.

Cape Enrage, Bay of Fundy.

Confederation Bridge, on the way to Prince Edward Island.

Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island. Note the red rocks!!

Cape Tyron, PEI. This was at the end of a dirt track, sort of in the middle of nowhere. We wouldn't have found it if a former resident hadn't given us directions. Amazing view. No photograph can capture it sufficiently.

Grape jelly-fish. It would have been risky to swim here, but the water was too cold anyway.

Artsy shot, Dunes Gallery, PEI.

Seal watching, Montague, PEI.

Unfortunately we only saw one seal bobbing up and down on the water, but we did catch a couple of lobsters.

How did that get in there?

From the top of the Dunes Gallery.

Had to stop at Anne's village--Anne of Green Gables, in case you're not familiar. This is a fictional village based on a fictional character--ain't that grand??!

Rough seas, endless rain, time to pack it in and head home.

Recent Reads

Doing research for Time Meddlers Undercover. I always loved this book.









More research. This is a fascinating book if you're interested in the SOE during WWII, the way messages were sent by code, and if you enjoy a good laugh. Strange the author can discuss such a serious (and sometimes tedious) subject and yet capture the reader with his wonderful sarcastic sense of humour.






I didn't enjoy this book at all. I found it long and preachy, not even that funny.









I'm reading more Stephenie Meyer because I enjoyed her Vampire series, but I'm starting to find the main character surprisingly similar to the Twilight one--entirely too self-sacrificing to be believable.







Love the Thomas Covenant antihero. I'm re-reading this series.

Update--Time Meddlers Undercover

To get you up to speed, I'm just finishing a second draft of Time Meddlers Undercover. It will need a bit more tweaking before being subjected to an editor, but progress is being made. I've had that "eureka" moment, which means I think I've figured out the greatest flaw and corrected it. Now you wouldn't want to see a second book unless it's every bit as exciting and interesting as the first. Patience is required. For a sneak peek, I'm adding the first chapter below. Beware, though. This is not the "final" draft, so there may be changes made again.

Chapter One

Bite the Bullet

She was doing it again--tempting fate. No sane kid would go back in there. No sane kid would blindly follow Matt, who dared cars to crash into him and plunged into reckless adventures without a nibble of doubt or fear. Was that it? Had she lost her cool, logical mind?

Sarah shivered and paused at the threshold to Matt's old house. She sank her teeth into her lip as she pushed the door a crack wider. She had to keep going. Matt would notice if she lagged too far behind. She winced as the door rasped on rusty hinges, then crept into the foyer, her powder blue sneakers treading lightly on the hardwood floor. Not lightly enough, though, as a creak leaped off the floor, ricocheted in the hall and up the massive, winding staircase, mocking her like a witch's cackle. No matter what Matt said, this house truly was haunted. A chill breeze swept through the corridor, lifting ringlets of hair off the back of her neck and rustling past her to flutter over Matt's bristly head. He didn't turn around or even seem to notice. He was making for the stairs, his Nikes leaving definitive tread marks on the oak floor like an animal's footprints in mud.

"Matt. Take your shoes off," Sarah whispered.

"Why?" he asked in a rather loud voice.

"Because," she said, pointing to the tracks he was leaving. "What if Nadine's around?"

"Nadine's long gone," said Matt. "The cops are still searching for her. She's probably in China by now."

"I wouldn't be so sure. All of her belongings are still here. At some point she's going to come back to get them. Now that the police aren't watching the house anymore, this is her chance. What if she catches us snooping around?"

"I don't see what she could do to us. She's just one scrawny woman."

"She did quite a bit of damage for one scrawny woman." Sarah shuddered. She could never forget that evil woman with ice chips for eyes and a bony face that, if it hadn't been coated with make-up all the time, would make her look like a hag. Nadine had been Matt's guardian for the past twelve years since his father had disappeared, but she had cared little for him, doing the bare minimum to keep him clothed and fed. All she'd really cared about was gaining control of the multiverse time machine--Matt's father's creation--and making those who stood in her way disappear into the past.

"She's gone now," said Matt, gazing at Sarah calmly. "So we don't have to worry."

"I can't help it," she said, still whispering.

"This is my house. We don't have to whisper. And we don't have to sneak around like a couple of thieves."

"Then why are you hunched over? And why are you walking on tiptoe?"

"Oh," said Matt, straightening up and placing his feet squarely on the floor. "Got me there. But hey, I kind of like being a detective."

Sarah smiled. "Admit it, you'd do anything for a thrill."

"And you always come with," he stated.

Sarah eyed him narrowly, but she couldn't deny it. Why did she always have to come with? Was it because they were best friends, or was it something else? Was it the aura of mystery or the sense of adventure--which always seemed to accompany him--that she couldn't resist? Her heart pattered as she surveyed the gigantic hallway of the decrepit mansion.

"Right," she said, looking away to conceal her frown. Well, at least there was a good reason for her to consent to this little break and enter. Matt still maintained hope that he could crack the code that Nadine had incorporated into Dr. Barnes's--Matt's father's--computer. She'd ensured that Dr. Barnes would remain trapped in the past, using his own creation—the time machine—against him. Sarah and Matt had been searching for this code for the past year, ever since Matt had come to live with her and her father, but with no luck. Scientists had been selected to assist him, but no matter how much they battered at the wall Nadine had erected in the computer, they couldn't break it down. But maybe, just maybe, they could find some clues the police might have missed in Nadine's personal paraphernalia.

The stairs groaned as they mounted the spiral staircase. "It sounds like a banshee," said Sarah, giggling a little hysterically. Matt just rolled his eyes and kept climbing. It looked like he was trying his best to climb casually, but soon he'd hunched over again and his toes barely touched the steps. He turned back and winked.

"You really get into this, don't you?" said Sarah.

"And you don't? I seem to remember you breaking into the lab last year."

Sarah ground her teeth into her lower lip, remembering, yes, that she, the girl who always abided by the rules, had become somewhat of a delinquent since she'd met Matt.

"Let's not talk about it. Let's just find Nadine's code and get the heck out of here." She'd forgotten to whisper. Her words bounced off the vaulted ceiling and seemed to rain down on her.

"Shh," said Matt.

"Nothing to worry about, he says," she muttered, tiptoeing into the hallway close behind him.

They stopped beside the elaborate French doors leading into Nadine's old bedroom. Matt pushed them open hesitantly. A gush of stale air rushed into the room, stirring up cobwebs and driving some scuttling insect out from under the furniture.

"I swear this place is haunted," said Sarah. "How did you ever live here?"

Matt shrugged. "You survive, I guess, with what you have. The house never bothered me. Just Nadine."

He walked purposefully into the obsessively ordered bedroom. Dust clouds seemed to follow him.

Sarah hung back for a second. Crossing this threshold seemed like crossing into another time period. Nadine had state-of-the-art organizers, computers and video recorders on the desk she kept in her room. There wasn't a paper to be seen, and everything was filed, even her make-up and perfume. Not a wrinkle deformed her bedspread or a mislaid item of clothing spoiled the creamy carpet. It seemed even the spiders had been reluctant to spin their webs. She walked over to the dark mahogany dresser.

"What are you doing?" asked Matt. "You're not going to go through her underwear, are you?" He crinkled his nose.

"The police have already looked through this room. If she left anything, it would have to be hidden somewhere they'd missed or didn't want to look through."

"Okay," he said. "You can do it. I'll look through her desk." He opened the top drawer of the matching mahogany desk.

Sarah sorted through the drawer, lifting and shaking underwear, examining pantyhose. She ran her hand along the bottom and back panel, but could find nothing unusual. She slammed the drawer shut.

"Anything?" Matt asked.

"Nothing but skimpy silk undies."

Matt shuddered.

"You?"

"No luck," he said. "Maybe we should try somewhere else." He gently clicked the next drawer open. A slightly louder click came from downstairs.

Sarah froze. "Matt. Did you hear that?"

"What?"

"There was a noise downstairs. I think it was the front door."

"That's impossible," whispered Matt. "I locked it after we came in."

"And who has the key?" asked Sarah, raising her eyebrows.

"Oh no," said Matt, shaking his head vigorously. "Not good."

"We’ve got to hide." Sarah looked frantically around the room. She dove for the closet door at the same time as Matt. They scrambled inside and pulled the door toward them just as a floorboard creaked on the top floor.

Sarah and Matt peeked through the crack they had left between the door and the jamb. A thin scarecrow of a woman thrust her high forehead and narrow nose through the French doors into the room.

"Bloody kids," she muttered, her greasy blonde hair hanging in tangled clots around her face. Devoid of make-up and creased with frown lines, her face was like a white mask. This was nothing like the Nadine that Sarah remembered. It seemed that life as a fugitive had wreaked havoc on the formerly immaculate woman.

Nadine wobbled on the chipped heels of her pumps toward her dresser. She wrenched open a drawer and withdrew some underwear and knee-highs. "Bloody miserable kids," she muttered.

Matt made a motion with his hand around his ear. Sarah nodded.

Nadine turned abruptly and headed for the closet. Sarah and Matt quickly backed up--it seemed forever--in the enormous walk-in until they hit a wall. Long evening gowns hung beside them in the corner. They snuggled in behind the silk layers and puffy taffeta. Sarah held her breath as the woman teetered into the closet-warehouse and thrust aside dresses and suits.

Sarah and Matt shrank together as she came dangerously close to their corner. Finally, she withdrew some items of clothing and stumbled back into the room. The door to the closet remained ajar.

Matt and Sarah sighed quietly and rested their heads together, but Sarah sensed something in Matt that was more that just fear. His neck and shoulders appeared tight, his eyes narrowed with intensity. Sarah tried to snare Matt's arm as he sneaked out from behind the gowns and crept toward the opening. Matt shook off her hand. It seemed like he'd come to a decision and she probably wasn't going to like it. He pantomimed attacking Nadine, making punching motions.

Sarah shook her head. Was he crazy? That woman was evil. There was no telling what she would do.

Matt clenched his fist.

Sarah grabbed his arm again, pleading silently for him to reconsider. Matt looked at Nadine, now hunched over her make-up table trying to repair her face, then back at Sarah. She shook her head again. Why couldn't he see that this was madness?

Matt ground his fist silently into his hand. With his chin thrust out, he inched up to the door. Sarah stepped in behind him and peered over his shoulder. Nadine was getting up from the table, her icy blue eyes now enhanced by dark make-up. She crossed over to a mirror beside her bed. Strange. She'd just spent five minutes staring at her reflection in front of her make-up table. Why was she looking in another mirror? Sarah's brow puckered as the woman reached out and caressed the smooth surface. She must see more in that ghastly face than Sarah did. With a jerk, Nadine slid the mirror aside to reveal a square steel door with a dial on the right-hand side. A safe! She spun the dial right, then left, then right. Click. It opened. She reached inside and clamped her spindly fingers on a dark object with a bluish sheen.

Matt coiled back, ready to spring on her, but he froze in that position. Sarah peered over his shoulder and sucked in a gasp.

The object was a gun.

Sarah yanked Matt back into the closet, clamping a hand over his mouth.

Nadine moved as a distant shadow through the room, the gun extending from her hand like an additional appendage. Any thought Matt might have had about jumping the woman seemed to have sped out of his mind. He was heaving silently, his eyes flicking from Nadine in the other room to Sarah with her hand still clenching his mouth. They heard a click as Nadine released the clip to check if the gun was loaded. She slammed the magazine back into the pistol. The snap echoed throughout the room and seemed to drum right into Sarah’s head. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. She couldn't believe it when Nadine touched her lips to the barrel, then slowly lowered her arm and aimed at the closet.

"I'll get you kids," she snarled. "One of these days, I'll get you back." She laughed--an eerie high-pitched laugh that sent chills down Sarah's spine.

Nadine tucked the gun into her purse and walked out the door, leaving the safe wide open. Her sneer was still vividly imprinted in Sarah's mind as she heard the front door slam shut.

Matt sighed loudly. Sarah couldn't seem to catch her breath. She was gasping, hyperventilating. "I . . . don't . . . feel . . . so good."

"Look at me," said Matt, grasping her by the arms and making her face him. "Calm down. She's gone. We're okay."

"I . . . thought she . . . was going . . . to shoot us."

"So did I," said Matt, "but she didn't really see us. She only pictured us in her mind. We're safe for now."

"For now," heaved Sarah.

"Besides, what kind of detective are you if you can't face the wrong end of a gun barrel once and while?"

"Matt. I just decided. I don't want to be a detective anymore."

Matt let go of her arms and walked into the room.

"Matt. I'm waiting for you to say the same thing."

Matt didn't answer. Sarah reluctantly left the shelter of the closet.

"What are you doing?"

He was heading for the safe.

"Have you flipped out? Let's get out of here."

"I think she left something."

Sarah shuffled behind him and peered into the murky black hole. "I don't see anything."

"Voila!" Matt held up a tiny ebony capsule.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I think it's microfilm. This might be our code."

"Why would she use microfilm? It's way outdated."

"I know it's kind of strange, but then again, she's kind of strange. I don't really care as long as I've got something to go on now." Matt’s face seemed radiant as he clasped the film to his chest. He peered into the safe again and removed a bullet.

Sarah backed up a step.

"It's not going to bite," said Matt, "unless it's in a gun."

"I hate guns."

"I don’t think we have to worry about guns or Nadine anymore," he said. "Because, with this," he threw the microfilm up in the air and caught it, "I'm going to set my dad free."

Article in MORE

There's an article in MORE Magazine--Canadian edition--Midlife Career Change: from banker to rabbi, nurse to novelist. I suppose you can guess which one refers to me. It's in the April issue, which just hit the stands. Have a look. It contains a few telling details about my life.

Also, I wanted to let you know that Time Meddlers is sold out in Amazon.ca and Chapters.ca at the moment. You can still purchase it from the LBF website or Amazon.com.

Just wanted to share this:

"I never had read a book that I've liked until this one! Before I read this book, I thought of reading as homework or a chore. I never read for a pastime, I was what you would call a "Couch potato". Soon after I started reading it, I would stay up WAY past my bedtime to read saying to myself "Ok, just one more page." I would bring it in the car every were I went. As soon as I finished the book, I went to the beginning and read it again. I am proud to say that this is by far the BEST book that I've ever read. And it's going to stay that way until she makes a Time Meddlers 2!"

-Sarah. R., age 11.

I became all teary-eyed when I received it. Sarah, I'm diligently working on Time Meddlers 2. I hope it will keep you reading!

School Visits

I just visited Berrigan and Jockvale Elementary School in Barrhaven. It was wonderful to see the students so interested in books and reading. So much for the Internet and video games. There's still nothing like a good story, in any form, right? If you still have any questions, just email me, or add a comment to my blog.

Visual Bookshelf

People often ask me, "what kind of books do you like to read?" I've composed a visual list of books I've read recently, to give you an idea. Currently I've been reading mostly children's or young adult books, but I'm inclined to read the occasional adult book as well. A bit of an ecclectic list, but it still reveals a little about my taste. I have reviewed a few of these books on facebook, if you want some more details.

I' ve set this one aside because it's an Ottawa author--Peter Clement. You may want to look up his books. They're medical thrillers.

This is a Canadian SF author who is quite talented. Below is the review I wrote of her book:

People don't usually realize how difficult world-building in science fiction and fantasy is. The Okal Rel Saga is a perfect example of the complexity of the craft. Every detail is slotted and fitted like the cogs of an old timepiece, setting in motion a world with entirely unique qualities through a combination of genetics, culture, politics and space travel, but with a few uncomfortable similarities to our own. Although primarily science fiction involving intriguing concepts such as "reality skimming," it has certain aspects of fantasy--sword-fighting, for example--that make for an interesting blend. And because of its complex structure, it is not a novel to race through at blockbuster speed, but one to be sipped and savoured like a fine cappuccino.

The story begins with young Horth Nersal, the product of a union meant to unite two rival clans and put an end to war. Horth has a speech impediment, but makes up for this with a remarkable skill in battle, particularly in sword fights, which are the primary method in this society of settling differences. Lynda Williams skillfully portrays this character--his fears, his shame regarding his difficulty expressing his thoughts, yet the depth of intelligence and the strength of heart that exists within him. We follow his growth and increasing maturity, and often the lack of words is made up for with significant ones. In the end Horth will have to make a decision that may fundamentally change this world and break his own heart.

Space battles, sword fights, but ultimately a human story--a story that will resonate for years to come.

I'm currently reading this one. A bit didactic, but I love learning about pirates.

Up and running

Well, I'm back at it again. I'll be doing some school presentations this month and some signings in March, maybe a tour in the spring. Further details later on.

I also wanted to let you know that I am reaching a conclusion to this years-long quest of writing an unconventional "ghost story". By George, I think I've got it. Then I will resume revising Time Meddlers Undercover, and I have some NEW ideas I want to sort through--maybe an unconventional pirate story. We'll see.

The website may undergo another update. Since I seem to getting very positive feedback on my school presentations, I may add a page that will supply more information about it. In the meantime, just to let you know, the presentation is not the typical reading, Q & A that an author generally does in schools. Instead I have a power point slide show explaining several aspects of the curriculum that I had to research, plus an interactive workshop on the process of writing. I also bring along some hands-on paraphernalia for the children to examine. Birch bark canoes etc., although not life-size, in case you're wondering.

Finally, I wanted to add that I have reached the pinnacle of my career. Not a bestseller. Not oodles of money. Not critical acclaim. What does a writer write for anyway? To be read. A children's writer? To hear of the delight of a child in your book. I have learned recently that I have reached that goal. Not only has Time Meddlers been read to the delight of several children, but it has been devoured by a "reluctant reader" no less. Sigh.

Epiphany

Grey's Anatomy Quote:

Meredith: At the end of the day faith is a funny thing. It turns up when you don't really expect it. It's like one day you realize that the fairy tale may be slightly different than you dreamed. The castle, well, it may not be a castle. And it's not so important happy ever after, just that its happy right now. See once in a while, once in a blue moon, people will surprise you, and once in a while people may even take your breath away.

This is my favourite quote. It's rife with the world's potential. 2007 was a rather rough year for me, healthwise, and as much as I love to bury myself in the fairy tale, it's reality that really got me through it. The reality of people. Not the dreams and visions of far away places, not the delicious soaking up of words from books (as much as I love books), but the love and support of those around me. At one point I was robbed of my passion--incapable of reading and writing--and it really made me view the world in a different way. Without your passion, what is left?

People. And I realized that people should be my passion.

Tagged

Yes, I'm still alive. I've been focusing rather exclusively on my writing lately, and ignoring my blog. But I am out there signing occasionally, and participating in school visits. Not to worry. I haven't become encased in an ice tomb.

Apparently I have been tagged. This means I must reveal ten random things about myself. So here goes:

1. I love skiing. I hate falling, though. So I'm a little more cautious than I used to be, but you may see me weaving, and sometimes flying, down the slopes.

2. I'm volunteering in the school library this year--because I love books and kids and kids' books. Also because I've been cooped up in my house, writing, and the four walls are driving me crazy. It's been great fun, chatting with the librarian, cataloguing new books, and just being surrounded by stacks. Can you guess I'm a bookish person?

3. I grew up on a farm, but I have no pets. Okay, we did have rabbits, a hamster and some fish for a while, but now there's a void in the house. What will I fill it with?? I was thinking a polar bear.

4. Unlike Lizann, I love writing a first draft, drek or no drek, but I can't stand revising. Especially that Ghost in the Piano thing. I've redrafted it so many times that it seems to have lost its magic. First drafts possess a spark--the initial inspiration. Revisions sometimes lose their shine.

5. I learned how to use the snow blower this year. We already have six-and seven-foot banks on either side of our driveway, and this is only December. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I can't wait to use it again. Weird, eh? Well, I suppose the allure will eventually wear off, particularly if this trend of snow dumps (not just storms) continues.