2016-on-this-blog list

In many ways, 2016 was a unique year. You couldn't call this year 'Ann' or 'Mary'. You'd have to call it 'Pathan' or 'Sarren'. 

Snow on Mayne Island? Honestly? Snow on Mayne Island that lasts more than a couple of days? Really? But it sure does did  look pretty...

(LDyck 2017)

Okay, back on topic. 2016-on-this-blog list.

What did you like about this blog in 2016?

The 6 most popular posts...

1. (205 page views) Book review:  Shimmer by Paula Weston

2. (200 page views) Interview with Maggie de Vries
on being a multi-genre author

3. (174 page views) short story: Sarren's Curse:  part 1

4. (159 page views) workshop review:  Maggie de Vries' workshop

5. (149 page views) book review:  Burn by Paula Weston

6. (127 page views) article:  It's All Good
(127 page views) short story:  Lasting Love

What did I accomplish in 2016?

My skill level and confidence increased thanks to the input of my first readers and the information I gathered at workshops given by 

Maggie de Vries 

and

Jami Macarty

and from books such as Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul

For example, from Writing Picture Books, I learned to write short stories from the child's perceptive, that captures the reader's attention from the first paragraph.

My author journey is not always smooth. I get my fair share of rejection letters. Reading books such as Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert helped me maintain a positive attitude.

If destiny didn't want me to be a writer, I figure then it shouldn't have made me one. But it did make me one, and I've decided to meet that destiny with as much good cheer and as little drama as I can--because how I choose to handle myself as a writer is entirely my own choice... My ultimate choice...is to always approach my work from a place of stubborn gladness. -Elizabeth Gilbert

But the star of my writing year was Bim...

Dear Reader,

Thank you for spending this year with me. Wishing you a cozy holiday. Looking forward to visiting with you in 2017.

Next post

Published on Sunday, January 1st (New Year's day) at approximately 5 PM PST
2017 a year of possibilities
A post that answers the question:  What one essential ingredient do make next year what could and should be?

Picture Books in Canada

The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers (a program on Canada's public radio station) makes 15 great book recommendations for young readers--including picture books.

Sharing my author journey...

Book review: Burn by Paula Weston

After reading Shimmer (here's a link to that book review), I waited with eager anticipation for Burn--the fourth and final book in the series. And Paula Weston delivered--a kick-butt female protagonist, sizzling sexual tension, and action-packed battle scenes. Burn has everything that Shimmer offered and more.

The More...

Burn summarizes and provides a satisfying conclusion to the series as well as answers burning questions.

Burning questions like...how did Rafa and Gabe's friendship become a romance?

I've seen Rafa shirtless a thousand times, wrestled with him half-naked on the training mats just as often. I've always known how fit he is, but I've never been distracted by his bare flesh before. (p. 31)

And what happened to spoil it. 
No spoilers here. Just one name--Mya. Enticing, yes?

The Ending...

What if you--like Nathaniel (Gabe's adopted father), like Gabe (kick-butt protagonist)--discovered the mission that gave your life purpose was a lie?

Enter Semyaza (Gabe's birth father).

In fact, Burn was just too good. I'm still hungry. Digging for truffles, I came across this quote...

He knows how much worse the next battle will be. (p. 407)

Doesn't that sound like there'll be more?

Paula Weston answers that question in the Acknowledgments...

I've loved writing this story and these characters--and they've certainly brought an amazing new dimension to my world.

For that, I will always be grateful.

I'm so glad I had an opportunity to read Paula Weston's work as I write my first YA novel--even though I'm not writing a fantasy. Weston has taught me the power of writing in the present tense and the secret of how to get inside a character's mind without using the rusty 'I thought'. 

Paula Weston's author web site

More...

(photo by Leanne Dyck)

Picture Books in Canada


CWILL BC
(Children's Writers & Illustrators of British Columbia Society) 

is a lively group of published writers and illustrators for children. With close to 150 members across British Columbia, we exchange information about creating literary works for young people, we support one another and we help promote our books. Our volunteer, cooperative organization also communicates with other arts groups, schools and libraries in BC and Canada.

learn more:  www.cwill.bc.ca

(photo by Leanne Dyck, taken on Mayne Island, BC, Canada)

Next post:  Sunday, June 19 (published at approximately 5 p.m. PST) Next week  I will attend writing events sponsored by CWILL BC. I look forward to sharing what I learn with you.

(photo by Leanne Dyck)

Sharing my author journey...

In On Writing, Stephen King advises against filling a life with 

Book review: Shimmer by Paula Weston (YA fantasy)

Title:  Shimmer -- book 3 of the Rephaim series

Author:  Paula Weston

Publisher:  Tundra

Date published:  2016

Book blurb:  Gaby thought her life couldn't be more complicated. She was wrong.

She's not the teenage backpacker she thought she was. She is one of the Rephaim, descended from fallen angels. The brother she thought she'd lost is alive. And now Rafa--sexy, infuriating Rafa--is being held, and hurt, by the demons who want to get to her.

Gaby needs the bitterly divided Rephaim to work together; or Rafa has no chance at all. It's a race against time. And it may already be too late.

Author website  

Buy this book

It's a series...
As this is book three and I'm new to the series, I was concerned that I won't be able to break in. But that wasn't a problem because there's a who's-who character list at the front of the book and the prologue offers a review of events. 

I read on and discovered a dense population of characters, a detailed world and a complex plot.

So many names...
Due to this dense population, the plot occasionally bogs down in a swamp of names.

And you are?
With so many characters it's difficult to develop individuals. Weston manages to maintain the individuality of her protagonist--Gabriella--but, unfortunately, many of her minor characters are largely indistinguishable.

Wham bam pow...
Weston is skilled at writing action...

Daisy takes off away from Jones, plants a foot on the second rope, spins and launches at him. He dives out of the way. She curls up and lands in a commando roll. (p. 55)

More, please...
The suspenseful last chapter makes me yearn to read book four Right Now!

Thank you, Paula Weston, for this entertaining read.

Hop on the tour (link)

Next post (March 20th):  Have you ever found a book that answered all your questions--even questions you didn't know you had? That's what happened to me when I read Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul. It was like taking a highly rated workshop from the comfort of my reading chair. I'll share my notes in my next post.

Sharing my author journey...

Re-writing my novel is going smoothly, now.