on the writer’s life – Page 10

Old Long Since

January 3, 2022January 3, 2022 Bernice Connell Leave a comment

Old Long Since is the English translation of the Scottish Auld Lang Syne.

It never occurred to me to wonder about the literal translation. I understood the sentiment as remembering the good times and looking forward to more. The utilitarian words Old Long Since sound less romantic and sentimental and are a suitable farewell to this past year in particular.

The collective euphoria at seeing the end of 2021 is understandable given the chaotic spiraling of much that was familiar and reliable in our lives.

The Stories We Hold

December 13, 2021December 13, 2021 Andrée Levie-Warrilow Leave a comment

Old Québec by the author

Ah, the memories we writers carry from all our Decembers Past: how those who loved us would spend hours preparing special foods only eaten at this time, presents, decorations, catching up on family gossip, watching favourite seasonal movies. For me, I especially loved the stories, the family memories.
Now, as my father loses his grip on his memories, his stories, I will catch and hold them for him.
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When Is a Writer Considered Successful?

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Lori Twining Leave a comment

The definition of success:

Success (the opposite of failure or defeat) is the status of having achieved and accomplished an aim or objective. Being successful means achieving desired visions and planned goals. The dictionary describes success as the following: “attaining wealth, prosperity and/or fame”.

Last week, I had at least a dozen weird “writerly” things happen to me. Here are two situations that are relevant to this question: When is a writer considered successful?

Practising My Vocation

November 29, 2021November 28, 2021 Kelly Babcock Leave a comment

Have you ever considered that writing is the art of manipulating words? And art is the correct word for it.

Like paint on a canvas or conté on paper, like the molding of clay or the carving of wood or stone, writing is the act of creating art. And writers are artists.

And being an artist is one of the Read more

Receiving Writing Feedback

November 15, 2021November 15, 2021 Donna Judy Curtin Leave a comment

Driving home from the rink recently, my son begrudgingly shared—and I thank the heavens daily he feels safe to share with me—how during practice, a team member made a viscous comment about a mistake he made on the ice. Doing my best not to slam on the brakes and one-eighty-it to drive over the little bastard, I forced myself to reflect on the resilience it will build in my son to take this hard knock and learn from it.

Heaven knows, it sure isn’t easy.

As a writer in the query trenches, rejections are a constant reality. After I pick myself up, and dust myself off, the next step is to search out advice to improve my writing. I, as well, have had to develop a thicker skin and tune into my inner voice to further understand what advice is best to listen to. Read more

Embracing Autumn

November 8, 2021November 8, 2021 Tracey Richardson Leave a comment

There’s something comforting about autumn.

Perhaps it’s the bounty of all the months spent growing food, and we all know that food is comfort. It’s also comforting to know that it’s that season of warm sweaters, flannel sheets and fireplaces. Doesn’t that visual want to make you curl up with a book in your favourite chair, wrapped in a warm throw blanket in front of the fire?

While it is common to think about cozy scarves and autumnal fruit pies, the symbolic meanings of autumn are more profound than you might think. Ancient cultures, science, and astrology have associated many aspects of this beautiful season to human life. These symbolic associations are powerful reminders that Mother Nature has an incredible influence on our lives. Read more

Writing With Style

October 25, 2021October 24, 2021 Andrée Levie-Warrilow Leave a comment

“If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers,” Dorothy Parker once wrote, “the second-greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style.The first-greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.” Read more

Mixing Solitude with the Camaraderie

October 18, 2021October 18, 2021 Lori Twining 6 Comments

Lori Twining ~ Coffee at Sunrise, Elmhirst’s Resort

What writer wouldn’t love to disappear from their life and spend an entire week hidden away at a remote location? With no other obligations other than to put fingers to keyboard or pen to paper and tell a story. Maybe, a story no one will ever read? That’s a possibility. But hey, if you are a writer, you will have a strong desire to write that story whether someone reads it or not, right?

Disappearing to a remote location sounds fantastic, especially after the tough year or two we have experienced. My doctor said I was becoming a workaholic, even though I’m working from home now, and I should take a mental health break. She said something like, “Take a vacation.”

In my mind, I watched her scribble a prescription on her pad for me:

Category: on the writer’s life