tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:48:28 +0000SuperstitionsHeliumDiamonds From HellHumber College School of WritersConferencesIncubation3-day novel contestSpeaking EngagementsInspirations3-day mid-novel marathonMarketingHealth-WellnessWriting Drafts2010Fiction PracticeSing_Girls_SingWriting WeekendsIdeasVacationNaNoWriMo 2009Employee EngagementLibrariesBloggingSlice of Lifeliving with and without writinghttp://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (bobbie)Blogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-951763089981997795Sun, 07 Aug 2011 16:35:00 +00002011-08-07T09:35:55.604-07:00LibrariesInspirationsWe don't keep libraries open so we have a place to put books. We keep them open to keep our communities options open, to open our souls to learning and discovery, to open our minds to the possibilities that lie ahead for us, no matter what our financial, emotional or real situation is. We keep libraries open to save our souls. There's no price on that.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2011/08/libraries-are-places-of-possibility.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-4378076109694494997Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:35:00 +00002011-04-10T16:36:22.516-07:00Employee EngagementConferencesSpeaking EngagementsI have been invited to speak at a few conferences this year. The first one, run by Marcus Evans, is: "Internal Branding and Employee Engagement" which happens this week in Toronto at the Fairmount Royal York Hotel: April 14 & 15. I am quite looking forward to learning tons from this event and sharing what I've learned already about making the transition to a new Internal Communications platform http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2011/04/employee-engagement-conference-speaker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-7026454373667867293Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +00002011-01-09T08:00:00.123-08:00Slice of LifeThe only time I ever have to write out numbers is when I write cheques, but I can't remember the last time I wrote a cheque. With online banking, pre-authorized payments, direct payroll deposits and automated transfers, I rarely write cheques or SEE money. This new year brings with it a swell of opportunity for change, progress and growth. I don't plan to see more money, but I plan to earn more.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2011/01/two-thousand-and-eleven.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-2933183062685257962Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:40:00 +00002010-12-06T08:40:39.087-08:00Slice of LifeIf you've ever driven from Bracebridge (2.5 hours North of Toronto, cottage country) to the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), you know what kind of strange and chaotic snow conditions can exist and disappear within 20 kilometres / miles of each other. Driving home last night, we left the clear albeit snow-covered town of Bracebridge, home of Santa's Village, where he and Mrs. Claus spend their summer http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/12/snow-squalls-in-land-of-lakes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-6691670562002968981Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:41:00 +00002010-11-25T18:38:17.824-08:00Health-WellnessIt's hard for me to pinpoint the exact time I got sick; but if pushed, I would say: Labour Day Weekend. I was in the throws of writing a targeted number of words (25,000) for the 3-day novel contest when a semi-flu overwhelmed me, morphing from a long weekend of illness into a few weeks. My energy never quite recovered. I had returned to work but was struggling. I was fatigued despite a full http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/11/health-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-1539790711863581310Fri, 15 Oct 2010 01:52:00 +00002010-10-14T18:52:23.545-07:00Health-WellnessFeeling really tired, yet still wired.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/10/tired.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-1958373688166519938Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:39:00 +00002010-10-10T17:39:19.396-07:00Health-WellnessI have not been writing due to not feeling well. I've managed to sometimes do my morning pages to perk me up a bit, however real writing has escaped me in the last 6 weeks. I've not given up; I've simply recognized that when I'm not well, neither is my writing. And when I'm not writing, I'm usually not well. I don't need to know whether it's chicken or egg to make it stop. I just have to rest, dohttp://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/10/health-wellness-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-8107221299091279356Sat, 04 Sep 2010 02:13:00 +00002010-09-03T22:37:00.323-07:003-day mid-novel marathonLast Labour Day Weekend, I registered and participated in the 3-Day-Novel Writing Contest and wrote 25,000 words. This year I have a tougher challenge: I have to keep writing the same novel only add another 25,000 words. To register in the authentic 3DN contest, you have start at the very beginning and all your writing must happen over Labour Day Weekend. Since I've already started, I can't http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/09/3-day-mid-novel-marathon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-7739525351909793099Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:32:00 +00002010-08-20T11:33:14.484-07:002010VacationTwo days ago, I spent hours on end, watching trees go by: deciduous, evergreen, short, full, tall, sparse, backed by dark clouds, then blue horizon. We drove from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, the city whose moniker is "Superior by nature". From the town of Marathon to Thunder Bay, the driving experience is stunningly beautiful, varied and unabashedly Canadian. Visitors who come here from http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/08/two-days-ago-i-spent-hours-on-end.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-6924087539208921069Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:01:00 +00002010-08-16T08:01:32.576-07:00IncubationVacationIt's one month since my last post and I am feeling a long way from Burlington, a long way from home and a long way from writing. I have read that writers never go on vacation. Even while 'resting', we incubate. That's what happens to me: I incubate. So while Eric, Josh and I scuttle from one neat little northern Ontario town to another, I incubate until I can find an afternoon or a few early http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/08/on-vacation-from-my-day-job.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-6380435204330278933Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:13:00 +00002010-08-16T07:43:02.123-07:00Humber College School of WritersWith only one week left, I am a bit shell-shocked that this program is over. It began in January, and I can hardly believe we're almost done. I'm been puttering away at the 25,000-word draft that came out of my participation in the 3-day novel contest in September 2009. I'm now at 48,258 words; and not just any words. I've sweat over many of them through many revisions and grown the story into http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/07/update-on-humber.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-8078540465980415430Wed, 12 May 2010 02:13:00 +00002010-08-16T07:43:02.124-07:00Humber College School of WritersI have no idea what week I'm in. For tonight, it does not matter. I am working through Ch. 2.5, again...but with a stronger sense of what to do. However, I suspect my mentor is looking to me to write literary fiction -- a noble pursuit. I believe I am writing a more commercial kind of fiction with slightly less 'texture' or detailed description than literary fiction does provide so well. I am http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/05/school-of-writers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-368829670679515487Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:45:00 +00002010-08-16T07:43:02.126-07:00Humber College School of WritersI have heard from my mentor twice now and the feedback has been terrific. He's both encouraging and constructive in giving me just enough confidence and just enough to work on for the next installment.He's looked at my firsts 15pgs, which I submitted to Humber School of Creative Writers for my application. I revised that and added another chunk making it Chapters 1-4. Tonight, I submitted http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-7-bobbie-writes-about-creative.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-1878835045538302130Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:33:00 +00002010-08-16T07:43:02.128-07:00Humber College School of WritersI thought by now I'd be nursing my bruised writer ego suffered from feedback and edits from my mentor. I'm not because I've not yet heard from him. This time of year, he's probably a busy man. This time of my life, I need to know what to fix in my writing. The sooner I hear back the better I'll feel. I knew I was meant to write when I realized I want construction criticism so I can improve.I've http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2010/01/week-3-of-humber-college-creative.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-8149069313902915821Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:28:00 +00002010-08-16T07:43:02.129-07:00Writing WeekendsNaNoWriMo 20093-day novel contestWriting DraftsSigning on from Bracebridge, Ontario in the Muskoka region. Cottage country 2hours+ north of Toronto (GTA). Writing from my laptop on a small table in an upstairs room with a partly slanted ceiling -- yes, like a garret. The window is like a live landscape painting of a snowy climb with wintered trees and the potential for deer to wander by and look back in.It's been almost a month since I last http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/12/bobbie-wrotepicking-up-where-i-left-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-6695535335932783328Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:37:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.759-07:00NaNoWriMo 20099,046 words.9:36am.Need to do homework with Joshua.We need to do a book talk for Wed.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_5182.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-1982034430085389634Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:46:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.760-07:00NaNoWriMo 20098,241 words.11:45pm.need a break now.should sleep. don't know if I can.had coffee late in the day.somehow biker gangs are now in my novel.this process never ceases to amaze me.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_07.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-3662703655640254440Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:04:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.762-07:00NaNoWriMo 20096,620 words.I'm taking a break.Part of that break is trying to get back into writing.Just finishing my tea.Would like to make it to 8,000 words before I go to bed tonight.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_4221.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-570568926294760593Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.763-07:00NaNoWriMo 2009I don't have to work tonight so theoretically, I've got lots of time to write, but I'm spent. maybe I just need a break from my workday and then tomorrow I can dig in. Tomorrow is critique group and lunch with fellow nanowrimo writers: Sylvia and Nicole. Then I will be reset and be able to get into the book.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_06.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-2400942953286793472Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:47:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.764-07:00NaNoWriMo 2009sleepy. want to go to bed early. type out a few words. made progress. that's key.4,542 words clocked. Just past Tuesday's planned word count. so that makes me one day behind. Not bad. had some work-work to catch up on to make up for being sick last week and away at the a conference the week before.All in time...http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_04.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-3437236184989446594Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:14:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.766-07:00NaNoWriMo 2009did it. made it to 3,141 words. nite, nite.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_01.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-4586607063101350943Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:01:00 +00002010-08-16T07:54:50.979-07:00NaNoWriMo 2009ok, it's 10pm (new timezone) and I've got 2,350 words. I'm happy I broke 2,000. Was hoping for three. Maybe I still can....http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_6194.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-617814139343031036Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:01:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.770-07:00NaNoWriMo 2009ok, it's 10pm (new timezone) and I've got 2,350 words. I'm happy I broke 2,000. Was hoping for three. Maybe I still can....http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_9733.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-3487693116061302311Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:18:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.772-07:00NaNoWriMo 2009ugh. my characters are shallow and my plot is thin. must dig deeeeeeeeeper.1,487 wordshttp://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_7.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-4726013476575597217Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:53:00 +00002010-08-16T07:46:06.774-07:00NaNoWriMo 2009drinking lots of water and lots of tea. making my way through this bizarre novel I'm creating. it may take me a week before I figure out what it's REALLY about.so far: 1248 words.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanowrimo-blogger-bobbie-said_1000.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie)0