New novel.
1.5 years in.
Decide to change my main character's name.
Find and replace.
Remember why I named him the name that I originally named him.
Find and replace.
Remember why I decided to change the original name to the new name.
Find and replace.
Wait a minute... Wasn't there...
Google the meaning of the original name.
Ah ha.
Find and replace.
Remember that the original name was too close to a nickname that I gave the main character, which may confuse readers, which I may never even have because this book is a risk and maybe it's terrible and what the hell am I doing who do I think I am Martin freaking Amis?
Find and replace.
But...
Explode.

Women who get $#it done

Hurray for Bronwyn Szabo, Shannon Litt and Caitlin Carmody! Three women who inspire me with their endless creativity and their ability to make actual real things!

Their latest project is a trailer for a series they want to develop called The Take. They shot it for the Independent Production Fund, which funds drama and comedy content intended for the web -- which can lead to a produced pilot, a funded web series, and maybe even a shot at a television series! Here's how they describe The Take:

"Betty, frustrated with being an aging, “aspiring”, broke actress, with the help of her criminal diner boss, kills two birds with one stone by laundering money through a tax-shelter movie that she stars in, and discovers that while she may not be star material, she may be fit for a life of crime."

 

Bronwyn and Shannon also shot this wonderful trailer last year for a series Bronwyn created (and stars in) called Tight Knit:

"Two clashing half-sisters must work together to keep their deceased Grandmothers yarn store, Purls Are A Girls Best Friend, afloat." 

Congratulations to these talented women! I can't wait to see what's next!

"How's the new book coming, Emily?"

I woke up at 4 am to watch speed skating and look up my first novel on Goodreads

It was not a good morning for Canada.

Weekend writing posture

After sitting at a desk all week at work, this is often how I get writing done on the weekends. 

Giving birth to a book ain't pretty or comfortable.

But it's still fun.

Kootenay Inspired

My brother Paul wrote a beautiful coffee table book called Kootenay Inspired. It's about how people in British Columbia's Kootenay region live life, stay inspired and inspire everyone around them. Full of stories of adventure, perseverance and community building, it's a very special read. The photos are spectacular, but it's the stories of the lives lived that will really wow you. With deep empathy and insight, Paul zeroed in on what made these incredible people tick. 

My brother funded this project himself. (He's a hydrologist/scientist who does Shiatsu on the side.) Half the proceeds go to two local charities, the rest he's hoping will cover his costs. This was a passion project. He wrote this book because he cares deeply about his community and also has a nose for a good story. Paul is a fascinating guy himself. A skier and hunter and outdoorsman supreme. True story: he once killed two deer with one arrow. If Paul didn't write this book, he would certainly have been in it. 

You can find out more about Kootenay Inspired here. Below are three photos from the book, but there are many more inside its cover, all gorgeous. 

 

Because I cannot sleep, seemingly, any more at all, ever -- I made this