tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:26:33 +00003-day novel contestWriting WeekendsNaNoWriMo 2009Fiction PracticeHumber College School of WritersInspirationsHealth-WellnessStephen KingSuperstitionsVacationWriting DraftsConferencesHeliumIdeasMarketingNovelsPublishingSlice of LifeWorthyliterature reviewstudying fiction20103-day mid-novel marathonBloggingDiamonds From HellEmployee EngagementIncubationLibrariesMFANaNoWriMoPromotionRank on AmazonSalesSing_Girls_SingSpeaking EngagementsTraffic trackingcharacter developmenthigher educationjoypositive vibesspecial occasionswinning the lotterywritingliving with and without writinghttp://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)Blogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-8259301700602630480Mon, 15 Aug 2016 21:39:00 +00002016-08-15T17:39:58.048-04:00 When you spend six years with the same characters, you form a relationship with them. In the beginning, it's so exciting--like a new romance--you can't wait to be with them again, you miss them achingly and you truly feel like they are real people.  A table that looks like a stack of books. When your drafts start falling into the 12-20 range, they don't quite make you vomit http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2016/08/falling-in-love-with-characters-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-6238506612570162495Thu, 16 Jun 2016 23:56:00 +00002016-06-16T19:56:26.700-04:00literature reviewStephen Kingstudying fictionAh, Carrie... Scarred and Scared Stephen King's first published novel -- 1974. I was six when it came out. Yes, it scared the shit out of me; not because I read it when I was six, but because I watched the movie when I was sixteen. [insert shudders] I might as well have been six. That movie blew my mind with horror. I'd convinced myself that I could never read Stephen King books or see any http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-king-canon-reading-challenge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-1687237795959938731Mon, 04 Apr 2016 22:48:00 +00002016-04-18T18:50:51.179-04:00character developmentStephen Kingwriting"Could you be expected to behave as a thinking human being when your hand was being impaled on red-hot darning needles?"That question is brilliant! Can't you feel the angst, the impossibility, the urgency to escape the heat. That question is one of two that Stephen King's character Jack Torrance asks himself in The Shining, as he tries to question how could resist alcohol and his demons from http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2016/04/using-questions-as-form-of-character.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-6399518084237783288Sun, 03 Apr 2016 20:05:00 +00002016-04-03T16:06:35.509-04:00PublishingRank on AmazonSalesTraffic trackingWriting is also a numbers' game; or rather the selling and process of creating an income from writing are part of the numbers' game. Out of curiosity and in an effort to feel some hope that progress is happening, I began counting things: number of print books sold--208 total:  via Amazon--8 via my sisters & mother in Newfoundland--126 directly from me--74 number of eBooks sold--57 http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2016/04/ranked-in-top-500-on-amazon-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-7712910430943174573Wed, 30 Mar 2016 02:19:00 +00002016-04-03T11:03:18.479-04:00higher educationMFAstudying fictionwinning the lotteryDo do an MFA or not to do an MFA... I have read lots from both sides of this discussion and yet, I'm drawn by an invisible thread to the admissions and program overview pages of Canadian universities and US colleges that offer such a thing. I think for me, it might focus my energy, give me post secondary teaching credentials and give me closure on a long-held dream. What's the worst http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2016/03/an-mfa-luxury.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-5139634088616033991Mon, 28 Mar 2016 19:05:00 +00002016-03-28T15:06:06.356-04:003-day novel contestInspirationsNovelsWorthyIs it about you or someone you know?  Is my book about me is one of the first questions people ask me after they've read it. No, it's not about me or someone I know. view from the kitchen window in Fox Harbour I know the outport of Fox Harbour as a context/setting. I know how it smells, how it sounds, how people talked to each other back when I was a child, and I know Newfoundland http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2016/03/is-your-novel-about-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-3063383965676449919Sun, 27 Mar 2016 19:52:00 +00002016-03-27T16:01:14.594-04:00joypositive vibesspecial occasionsThis Easter Sunday happens to be a sunny day in Burlington, Ontario, Canada on the last wisps of winter and pointing directly towards the joys of spring. And no matter where your beliefs sit or who your higher power is, today is an awesome day to rejoice and express gratitude for everything positive in our lives. (Sophie wearing her happy face.)Whether your day involves chocolate bunnies, http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2016/03/share-happy-thoughts-wildly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0Burlington Burlington43.349166 -79.788865tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-447036900100272802Sat, 26 Mar 2016 21:48:00 +00002016-03-26T18:14:03.166-04:00literature reviewNovelsStephen KingI have a confession to make: I have only read less than a handful of Stephen King novels, up til now.I know! He's one of my favourite authors; and I'm an author. Shame on me. But here's the real story:The movie Carrie, based on his first book, traumatized me. I'm not sure I've been the same since. Don't get me wrong; I saw the genius---wait, saw it? I felt it every time the lights went out--thankhttp://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2016/03/stephen-king-did-too-good-job.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-4543588774656985784Wed, 25 Nov 2015 16:03:00 +00002016-02-05T13:45:26.200-05:00NaNoWriMoPromotionPublishingWorthyThis year, instead of trying to stuff 50,000 words into my repertoire of written product--the hopeful outcome of NaNoWriMo, AKA, National Novel Writing Month--I decided to publish and promote a book that I've already written. Worthy, my second novel, is about sin, secrets, shame and solitude explored via the life of a 15-year-old rape victim in WWII outport Newfoundland while this island was http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2015/11/trading-50000-words-in-nanowrimo-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-577108559390010818Mon, 17 Aug 2015 00:03:00 +00002015-08-16T20:03:22.565-04:00Twice in July, I have been reminded by tragedy that every day we wake up is not just a new day; it's a precious gift, no matter how challenging or how ordinary. July 13,  a friend drowned at a cottage weekend. A highly-talented musician with no more than 45 years behind him. I have since said to myself during my commute to work in the morning, or on a crappy day when things don't seem to behttp://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2015/08/tomorrow-could-be-so-different.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-8717690262964851418Sun, 22 Feb 2015 02:06:00 +00002015-02-21T21:06:44.203-05:00"There's so many times I've let you down..." From: Leaving On A Jet Plane ~ The Mamas and the Papas I'm talking to my manuscript which has been in-progress since the 3-Day Novel Writing Contest on Labour Day weekend of 2009. It's so important to continue writing and revising as you work your way through a novel and yet, there have been complete weeks, months, years that have gone by on certain http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2015/02/time-to-continue-onward.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-8233586648002163957Tue, 19 Aug 2014 14:09:00 +00002015-02-21T21:20:42.429-05:00Here is the response from the agent. Rejection + hope. :) I see some positives and negatives in here and the criticism is quite good feedback. Key Messages: My writing is really strong and she is open to considering me for future projects. The twist regarding the pregnancy is good. Need to fix the warm maternal feelings that came too soon for the reader. Story is weighed down by unnecessary http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2014/08/rejection-hope-from-agent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-7466261110544415090Fri, 11 Jul 2014 23:07:00 +00002014-07-11T19:07:07.429-04:00I pitched my 99,000-word novel to an agent 3 weeks ago. I'd had 15 minutes to sell her on me, my writing, something. She had already prepped by reading my 1st 10 pages and a query letter. So I decided to focus on my strengths as a writer, using examples to support.My dialogue was sharp, said 2 reviewers.My dialect worked. I was raised in the lingo and culture of Newfoundland yet I didn't http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2014/07/hurry-up-and-wait.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-6139288961824586783Sat, 07 Sep 2013 20:42:00 +00002013-09-07T16:42:14.179-04:00Northshore Wordsmiths: Ready, Set, Type!: The Northshore Wordsmiths kicked off the 2013/2014 season on Labour Day weekend with the 3-day novel-writing incentive. This was an opportu...http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/northshore-wordsmiths-ready-set-type.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-8555970937737352748Mon, 02 Sep 2013 22:26:00 +00002013-09-02T18:26:34.820-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends6:26pm. 20,220 words. done. so tired. I'm happy with my story. Not so happy with my ending but that's because there's more to tell. maybe a sequel. Anyway, I'll be submitting my 20,220words tomorrow for the contest. now, some rest. thanks for taking this ride with me. :) nite, nite.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/626pm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-8054382944621059581Mon, 02 Sep 2013 22:24:00 +00002013-09-02T18:24:42.520-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends6:05pm. 20,002words. can barely keep my eyes open. might need coffee. right arm tendon is a bit tense, too. I'm really liking this story even tho the 1st draft is always crap. that's normal. What's not normal is writing all at once in 3 days!http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/605pm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-1572798983443701657Mon, 02 Sep 2013 21:22:00 +00002013-09-02T17:22:07.106-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends5:22pm. 19,000words. took a big break. back on track. loving my new writing room. makes all the difference for turning out great work.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/522pm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-1335915430525308791Mon, 02 Sep 2013 17:33:00 +00002013-09-02T13:34:44.379-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends1:33pm. 18,367words. rollin, rollin, rollin. choo-choo! the writing train is moving in the right direction--forward. ha. the plot is, too. ya know, I think I might be a YA author (young adult). who knew!http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/133pm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-7944546832948961089Mon, 02 Sep 2013 15:23:00 +00002013-09-02T11:23:07.383-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends11:22am. 16,175words. back at the desk. having a bit of brain freeze, tho I can write thru it. story is unfolding again. it truly is writing itself. I'm just...channeling...http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/1122am.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-1880981639571023002Mon, 02 Sep 2013 02:32:00 +00002013-09-01T22:32:28.751-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends10:33pm. 15,701words. Day 2 nearly done. Goal of 16,000 almost complete. right arm really sore, plus back. Will take a break.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/1033pm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-4227582297362840296Mon, 02 Sep 2013 00:59:00 +00002013-09-01T20:59:31.553-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends9pm. 14,103 words. I've hit a hitch in the story. Maybe it's just a long-short story instead of a novel. sigh. will keep at it but am concerned about plot. story of my life.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/9pm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-4525723644739325145Sun, 01 Sep 2013 20:20:00 +00002013-09-01T16:20:16.791-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends4:21pm. 12,753 words. hooray. it's the halfway mark. Another 12,753 words to go, give or take a word. time to celebrate with a beer!http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/421pm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-3413955862858728466Sun, 01 Sep 2013 19:16:00 +00002013-09-01T15:16:31.143-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends3:17pm. 11,294 words. buzzing along. might have a new working title: "Pretty Blue Things"http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/317pm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-7594412595392521555Sun, 01 Sep 2013 15:26:00 +00002013-09-01T11:26:07.826-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends11:27am. 9,665 words. line I just wrote: “That’s it, Dad,” I said in a quiet whisper, in my quiet room, in our quiet house. “You’re my new obsession.”http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/1127am.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441268218975900301.post-545914681972306515Sun, 01 Sep 2013 14:45:00 +00002013-09-01T10:45:12.044-04:003-day novel contestWriting Weekends10:45am. 9,105 words. on a roll now. main character is 9 and has decided to be a priv detective. she'll start stalking her dad after catching him kissing her teacher. need. more. coffee. I'm back in the game.http://thursdaynightcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/1045am.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bobbie smith)0