Reflections on a writing life by Leanne Dyck

The story comes to me fully formed but barely visible. In order for me to see it (capture the tone, follow the plot) I must become the story. So if I'm writing a children's picture book, I see the world through a child's eyes. The ordinary becomes the unusual. Mushrooms are thrones for frogs. Twigs are boates from fairies. If I'm writing a mystery, I become paranoid. Why did that car drive passed? Where are they headed? What are they doing? 

(Most of the photos that are published on this blog have been taken by me (Leanne Dyck) 

and are of Mayne Island. If they aren't or haven't been, I will tell you so.)

I'm thrilled to be living a writer's life. It fulfills me, even though the process isn't always easy. The dark narratives do effect me. I once shared this with a friend. Her advice was to write something positive. But I knew I couldn't force the story to be something it wasn't. If I tried to do that I knew I would lose sight of it. I knew I had to peer through the fog and record what I saw. I knew that I had to be true to what I found there.

The writing life does come with its share of frustration. It feels like establishing my career is taking so unnecessarily long. If, for example, a publisher had accepted my novel several years ago it could be a bestseller by now. 

But, as I re-write said novel, I'm so glad that acceptance letter didn't come. Sure it was good then but it's so much better now. Sure it flowed then but it flows so much better now. 


Building an author career isn't a race; it's a journey of discovery.

Work with all your heart, because--I promise--if you show up for your work day after day after day after day, you just might get lucky enough some random morning to burst right into bloom. (p. 63 Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert)

Next post (Monday, February 29th):  Book review:  The 100-year-old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared
How I found this book and what I thought while I was reading it. 

Celebrating the Active Pass Festival

The Active Pass Festival celebrated the beauty and inspiration of my island home. 

Opening ceremonies...

 Michael Dunn, master of ceremonies and head organizer

 an excited and supportive crowd

Mayne Island community choir

There was truly something for everyone...

-sailing tours

-walking tours

-studio tours

-craft shows

Terrill Welch at work

-art exhibits

-music concerts

-author readings

and more


Many times during this three-day festival I wished that I could split myself in half and in half and in half again. I figured that way I wouldn't have to miss anything.

The highlight for me were the author readings. These readings were offered on Saturday and Sunday. 

Saturday, I was entertained by two powerful female authors who were driven to tell their truth. 

The first, Adrienne Brown (memoirist), fell era to her artist parents' story. Ms. Brown took on this challenge even though she was not an artist herself. She read from The Life and Art of Harry and Jessie Webb. 

The second, Cathy Ford (poet), felt compelled to make the world remember the women who were killed during the Ecole Ploytechnique massacre. Ms. Ford took on this challenge even though, at the time of the shooting, she lived several provinces away. She read from her long poem Flowers We Will Never Know the Names Of.

Sunday, the day began with...

9 AM author reading by Pam Withers. Pam offered writing tips and talked about her author journey and the research she did in order to write her latest book -- Andreo's Race. This research included a trip to Bolivia.

10 AM author Amber Harvey. Amber spoke about the inspiration for her writing -- to entertain and leave a legacy for her grandchildren. She read from her soon-to-be-published book, Magda's Mysterious Stranger. 

11 AM author Leanne Dyck 
I invited singer, songwriter, and actor Georgia Johnson to perform with me.

Georgia performing on the main stage on the Ag Hall grounds

My recipe:  3 short stories
2 songs
musical accompaniment
audience involvement
Blend together and offer to a room full of supportive friends.
Result:  an amazing author high


Noon with Governor-General award-winning children's writer, Kit Pearson. Ms. Pearson read from her newly released books The Whole Truth and And Nothing But the Truth. She told us that the books had started out as one but her publisher suggested that they become two. Ms. Pearson is a prolific, well-established (over 30 years) author. I'm looking forward to talking with her on May 17th...

(Please click on the image to embolden)

By this time, my brain was exploding with information and inspiration. So I took a small break. I returned to the library for...

Governor-General award-winning poet and fiction author, Arleen Pare. Ms. Pare read from her newly released poetry collection Lake of Two Mountains. I enjoyed listening to Ms. Pare's poetry, but I am a huge fan of her fiction. Here is my review of Ms. Pare's last novel -- Leaving Now.

More...

Mayne Island web site 

Mayne Island news blog

Writing contest...

Room's Poetry and Fiction Contest is Now open
Deadline:  July 15, 2015
contest guidelines


Sharing my author journey...

Free knitting pattern: accessory (hood)

Red-Nose Hood

This hood wraps around your head and keeps you warmer than a cowl would. 

Skill level:  Beginner

Material:

Knitting needles:  4.50 mm/ US 7/ UK 7 or size to obtain tension

Yarn:  one skein (200 yards/ 182 metres) worsted weight yarn

Tension:  5 stitches x 8 rows = 1 inch (2.54 centimetres) worked over Stockinette stitch

4 x 4 rib stitch (over an even number of stitches)

Row 1:  knit 4, purl 4 -- repeat to end of row

Repeat row 1 for pattern

seed stitch (over an even number of stitches)

Row 1:  knit 1, purl 1 -- repeat to end of row

Row 2:  purl 1, knit 1 -- repeat to end of row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Cast on 80 stitches

Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 2 inches (5.08 centimetres)

Work in seed stitch for 12 inches  (30.48 centimetres)

Cast off

Finishing:

Sew two seams to form hood. (Sew a seam joining ribbing and top of hood)

***

This just in...

The email stated that Wintercraft (a gallery on Salt Spring that sells art and craft created on the Southern Gulf Islands) is opening on Friday, November 29 and will remain open until December 22. I was a participating artisan for many years and was always impressed by the diversity and quality of the work for sale. And this year promises to be just as impressive with over 90 artisan participating--including more than 10 new to the show. WinterCraft is held in Mahon Hall on Rainbow Road on Salt Spring Island.

Mayne Island Farmers' Market

Have I told you lately that I married into a talented family. Oh, yup. The men in the family are gifted musicians. And my mother-in-law is an artisan. One day, while visiting her, I sat transfixed as she fancied a delicate flower out of clay. Then, in front of my eyes, she rolled it back into clay. She explained that she was only showing me--and that she could easy make another one, when needed. Of this, I had no doubt.
She also makes stylish purses...

See I told you they were lovely. And not only that but they are also good news for the environment. Okay, so, allow me to explain... These stylish bags are made from recycled plastic bags. You know the bags that we will out live us by 50 years--lurking in our landfill sites. 

I have claimed over four purses. And I did try to justify my acquisition of more but sooner or later I knew it would have to stop. Inspired by the kind compliments I've received each and every time I carry one, I've decided to share her creations with others on Mayne Island. That's what I'll be doing every Saturday in July. I hope you'll drop by my booth at the Mayne Island Farmers' Market (on the Agricultural Society grounds).

Am I taking a summer break from knitting?
Nope.
I recently designed and knit this...

A children's cardigan with those cool I-cord buttons I taught you how to make.

Oh, yes and I'll also be here...


8th Annual TCAC (Mayne Island Art Council) Group Show
Friday, July 13 5 - 9 p.m.
Mayne Island Library
New Art
Food & Beverages
Readings (I'll be reading a short story)
Prize Draw


The 24th Annual St. Mary Magdalene Church Fair
Saturday, July 14
10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
at the church
(I'll be there after the Farmers' Market around 1 p.m.)

***
Next post:  Reviewing To Any Reader by Robert Louis Stevenson

#photography: #ArtCraft gallery tour

Here's the link to the ArtCraft Artist Gallery and Gift Shop site on facebook.

(yup, you spotted them. I knit these)

(and these)

(and these too. : ) )

***
Next post:  Guest post--Author Lou Allin (She Felt No Pain, That Dog Won't Hunt) takes us to the Crime Writers of Canada award night. Thank you, Lou