I’m often asked if I can recommend writer’s workshops or books on writing. The answer to that question often results in a shrug of the shoulders and an apologetic smile. Can’t say I’m particularly a fan of either, although in the book department there have been a few that were helpful, just plain nuts and bolts, straightforward discussion of the craft, no cloud creations, no gimmicks. I think the light went on for me in…
A Paradigm of Earth by Candas Jane DorseyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars A Paradigm of Earth, by founder, and fellow SF Canada member Candas Jane Dorsey, is a remarkable work of literary science fiction. Although the premise of first contact is not new, Dorsey brings to the discussion a complex, poetic exploration of what it means to be human. Through the characters of Blue, one of twelve aliens dropped on Earth to become the…
If you’re an indie author, there’s a marketing philosophy that reader reviews matter. I suppose that strategy arose out of the fact critical reviewers (those who write for literary or trade publications) for the most part won’t consider an indie book. Books, experts, publicists — all of them tell either the publisher or the author that you have to get your book out there for review, with the idea you’ll then clip pithy lines for…
The Colour of Magic by Terry PratchettMy rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve come to Terry Pratchett somewhat late, only to find I’ve overlooked a writer deft at the difficult art of farce. Imaginative, funny, zany and without any pretense, Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic is an easy, entertaining read that demands nothing of you but your willingness to again become a child and explore a sense of wonder. The world Pratchett creates is a…
Azincourt by Bernard CornwellMy rating: 3 of 5 stars Cornwell turns to the now legendary Battle of Agincourt as inspiration and foundation for his novel Azincourt, using the archer, Nick Hook (an actual historical archer who was at Agincourt) as the vehicle for this story. The story itself attempts to illuminate the actual events that led to King Henry V’s resounding victory over the French, using a fictional backdrop of Hook’s family feud, a damsel…
Karin and Bo Vandenberg How do you summarize the life of a friend, particularly one you have loved, lost, found and then lost permanently? I’m afraid I’m not up to the task, it would seem. There is so much to say about Karin. I first met Karin through my son, who was studying theatre arts in secondary school. Karin was an intern teacher at Orangeville District Secondary School. We all knew immediately this young woman…