The Girdle of Melian

arksong is so close to the end! Larksong is set in a lakeside town on the outskirts of Montreal, in July 1914. In chapters 1 to 10, Alice arrives at the family cottage following her grandmother's funeral, to take care of her grandmother's aviary--only to find that her parents have already leased the cottage to another prominent Montreal family. The only way she can have one final summer in her favourite place is to surreptitiously take on the role of governess to the two young girls. Gradually, she bonds with them, and eases into her feigned position. Then she learns that their older brother George, laid up with a broken leg, will be staying as well, for rest and recuperation. Upon his arrival, Alice keeps up her governess role as best she can. She finds George attractive and interesting--but also unbearably entitled. They can't seem to stop arguing over everything--including the rumours of political events in Europe. As they spend their evenings together over c...

arksong is nearly at an end! Soundtrack for today's snip comes from The Sami Sisters: Larksong is set in a lakeside town on the outskirts of Montreal, in July 1914. In chapters 1 to 10, Alice arrives at the family cottage following her grandmother's funeral, to take care of her grandmother's aviary--only to find that her parents have already leased the cottage to another prominent Montreal family. The only way she can have one final summer in her favourite place is to surreptitiously take on the role of governess to the two young girls. Gradually, she bonds with them, and eases into her feigned position. Then she learns that their older brother George, laid up with a broken leg, will be staying as well, for rest and recuperation. Upon his arrival, Alice keeps up her governess role as best she can. She finds George attractive and interesting--but also unbearably entitled. They can't seem to stop arguing over everything--including the rumours of political eve...

elp! I need more time! One of the first things I ever blogged about was how I Need An Intern . A few years ago, I revisited the intern task list . The time has come to do it again! I'm going to do it as part of an update to the eight things list ; I'm adding a group, so now we have... 10 lots of eight things about me 8 projects I'm working on 1. sort all the finished novels and stories into order of priority for editing 2. find an agent for The Charm of Time 3. draft a short story for the SIWC contest 4. knitting projects: following along with the Margery Allingham club of designer Kate Davies 5. think of compiling short stories for an anthology (and thinking of short stories featuring Kedi) 6. find a publisher for Larksong 7. write the latest Our Flag Means Death story ! 8. organize long-term plans and clean-ups for the blog 8 TV shows I watch 1. Our Flag Means Death season 1 2. Our Flag Means Death season 2 3. Father Ted 4. Rhys Darby: Big in Ja...

ou know how newspapers and other media always have obituaries for celebrities ready to go? Not only do I not have that, but half the time. I'm blindsided by the news. Then I never know what to say, because I'm not family or a friend. I'm just a reader, who treasured an author's words. And now the author has passed away. Here's the obituary for Paul Auster in The Guardian . Here's a really good interview with Paul Auster from the Paris Review archives. Here's an old blog post about regret : We all lug books (or at least our e-readers) on vacation. But sometimes the most exciting book discoveries come while we're on vacation and either find a new book or author, rediscover an old favourite, or have someone recommend a book. I first read The Stand at the age of 13 because my uncle happened to have it lying around. And I first came upon Paul Auster the same way - visiting cousins in France and, of course, looking through their bookshelves. The...

ello and welcome to another Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!     The Insecure Writer's Support Group A database resource site and support group for writers and authors. Featuring weekly guests and tips, a monthly blogfest gathering, a Facebook group, a book club, and thousands of links – all to benefit writers! #IWSG Website / Facebook Group / Twitter  / Book Club Reedsy Discount /  Past Issues Fast Five Free Gift - Mobi / Epub / Pdf Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles ...