driving rain, temps 10
Blech. Still, we're home and that is wonderful!!! We had planned to stay the night in Montreal and drive back this morning, but the forecast was so horrible we decided might as well face the rush hour traffic out of the city and get back to Sutton. Which we did, and happy for it!
We got back to Montreal mid afternoon Sunday after a terrific Bloody Words conference in Ottawa. Loads of fun. Extremely well organized. This is actually an annual convention and is normally held in Toronto, but they're trying to expand it...hence the Ottawa locale this year...back to Toronto for next year. But the year after is very exciting...it will be in Victoria, British Columbia.
Bloody Words is really very fun, and if you can make one it's well worth it! You can go to their website for more info.
One important thing I forgot to mention about the Arthur Ellis awards - indeed the MOST important thing - is that Michael got to present the award for the Best Unpublished First Novel. This is an award he and I helped found a few years ago, but is the first time we've actually been at the ceremony. He looked stunning in his suit...one actually made by a Monsieur Gamache...his tailor and the initial inspiration for Armand. Interestingly (at least, I find it interesting) by our bed in the hotel room there was a piece of art signed by the artist. Gamache.
Gamache is not a common name, so this was quite surprising...and actually sort of neat.
But - back to Michael. I just wanted to say what a very beautiful job he did. Dignified, warm, thought...he made certain everyone knew what a big night this was for those on the shortlist for Best Unpublished Crime Novel. (the entrants send in the first 3,000 words and if shortlisted they send in their entire book to be judged by editors and agents and other writers.)
He did a wonderful job!
Well - just had a power outage - started this blog at 11:30 and it's now almost 6pm. and power finally on again.
Just also wanted to thank everyone for their support over the past couple of days! And nice comments.
yesterday we started on our apartment move...Gary came and took down the light fixtures and curtains and moved them to the new place. We adore the new place! Thrilled we're making the move. But it's a lot of work getting packed up, and co-ordinating things. Thank God for Gary. Poor man is going to start screening our calls...it's always something not very fun. Septic tanks exploding, dogs throwing up in electrical sockets, roofs ripping off, balconies either collapsing or verandahs leaking. And now having to take down and put up curtains.
Nancy, who fixes our computers, and I were talking about it this morning...how people ask for favours and feel if they put the word 'just' into the sentence it sounds easy. And, actually, it might be easy. But multiply it by the 150 people asking for favours that day and suddenly it isn't so easy. It feels bad to have to say no to people - especailly since they feel their request isn't so unreasonable. Just a little favour.
I wonder if Gary feels like that with us?
Well, we are more than just a little grateful to him. As we are to all the people who help us. Like Lise and Donna. Nancy, Pat and Tony, Wayne. Deanna. Ken and Mary. And Gary, of course. In the summer it looks like a theme park sometimes, with trucks and cars everywhere. I'm not even sure what most of the people are doing, but I do know they're doing more than I am.
Have the week in Sutton to relax. Was planning to watch wall-to-wall videos and eat gummi bears, but the TV stopped working 20 minutes into CNN last night. Serves us right. Then with the power failure even if we'd had TV it wouldn't have worked. So we drove to US - got gas, mailed some books, had lunch in the 1950's at The Crossings restaurant...hot beef sandwich.
Now home.
Talk tomorrow...
Showing posts with label Bloody Words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bloody Words. Show all posts
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Bloody Words
sunny, mild, lovely, temps 20
Anotehr gorgeous day...happily we had a chance to go out into it for lunch. Met a group of Quebec and East Coast Canadian crime writers for lunch along Sparks Street, at a pub called the Cock and Lion...it has an outdoor terrace. Beautiful to sit out there, chat, visit, have a burger.
Bit of a busy day. Like most of these writers and readers conventions, most of the 'stuff' actually happens in the hallways. Meeting a lot of old friends, but the most fun is meeting readers and getting a chance, albeit brief, to talk.
The event last night, in which I was interviewed in front of a live audience by Jerri Southcott - a radio and TV host in Ottawa - was fabulous. Not because I was so great but Jerri had done her home-work (interviewing is by far the harder of the jobs) and made it feel more like a thoughtful conversation. And the room was full, which is always wonderful and a bit of a surprise. By 9pm Michael and I were tucked up in bed and had ordered room service.
At 4am there was a commotion in the hallway. The hotel was host to a grad night prom. And the entire prom seems to have decided the 10th floor was the place to be. Not great for sleeping, but I remember doing similar things in my youth, so this seemed like delayed karma. We went back to sleep.
Today, after lunch, I did a half hour Mystery Cafe...which means sitting in a room and reading and talking for half an hour. Standing room only - which felt very good. And terrific questions. Vicki Delaney - a marvelous Canadian crime writer who sets her books in British Columbia - introduced me.
Am back in the room for a shower, then a panel between 5 and 6 - then the gala dinner in which i must speak starts at 7. need to practice, or at least read over, my speech. Blech. I love being interviewed - hate giving speeches.
Still, I need to remind myself I'm among friends, and really, as long as I don't throw up or wet myself, how bad can it be?
Must run - 15 minutes to the panel and I'm still in my bathrobe. this is how bad it can be!!
Anotehr gorgeous day...happily we had a chance to go out into it for lunch. Met a group of Quebec and East Coast Canadian crime writers for lunch along Sparks Street, at a pub called the Cock and Lion...it has an outdoor terrace. Beautiful to sit out there, chat, visit, have a burger.
Bit of a busy day. Like most of these writers and readers conventions, most of the 'stuff' actually happens in the hallways. Meeting a lot of old friends, but the most fun is meeting readers and getting a chance, albeit brief, to talk.
The event last night, in which I was interviewed in front of a live audience by Jerri Southcott - a radio and TV host in Ottawa - was fabulous. Not because I was so great but Jerri had done her home-work (interviewing is by far the harder of the jobs) and made it feel more like a thoughtful conversation. And the room was full, which is always wonderful and a bit of a surprise. By 9pm Michael and I were tucked up in bed and had ordered room service.
At 4am there was a commotion in the hallway. The hotel was host to a grad night prom. And the entire prom seems to have decided the 10th floor was the place to be. Not great for sleeping, but I remember doing similar things in my youth, so this seemed like delayed karma. We went back to sleep.
Today, after lunch, I did a half hour Mystery Cafe...which means sitting in a room and reading and talking for half an hour. Standing room only - which felt very good. And terrific questions. Vicki Delaney - a marvelous Canadian crime writer who sets her books in British Columbia - introduced me.
Am back in the room for a shower, then a panel between 5 and 6 - then the gala dinner in which i must speak starts at 7. need to practice, or at least read over, my speech. Blech. I love being interviewed - hate giving speeches.
Still, I need to remind myself I'm among friends, and really, as long as I don't throw up or wet myself, how bad can it be?
Must run - 15 minutes to the panel and I'm still in my bathrobe. this is how bad it can be!!
Friday, 5 June 2009
Linwood wins!
beautiful, sunny day, temps 20
Gorgeous day, and fun evening. As perhaps you've gathered, I didn't win the ellis award, but a fine writer did! Linwood Barclay. Indeed, the field was so strong I felt relaxed knowing whoever won would deserve it.
There's no doubt I would always prefer to hear my name, who wouldn't. But I also know I've had way more than my share of good fortune. The sun shines on Linwood today, and someone else tomorrow and maybe me another day...and all I can do is keep walking outside and doing my best. and knowing even rainy days are blessings.
Our friend Flora joined us at our table for the dinner. a lovely, supportive, woman.
Had huge fun yesterday - lunch on the Rideau Canal, at the National Arts Centre with our friends Vicky and Howard. Listening to funny stories, getting caught up. then Michael and I took the boat cruise along the canal. Beautiful day for it!
it was a bit crowded with kids...the boat before and after were near empty, but ours was full. Not exactly tranquil, but it could have been worse. No loss of life, or temper. Again - things beyond our control. No use stewing, though I try...for a while. But it's not that much fun, so soon give it up in favour of having a good time. Often the scream in my head is way worse than anything happening externally. the good news is, I can turn that off.
Today is splendid - working on my speech for tomorrow night and having lunch with friends...then either off to the war museum or a nap. Am quite tired. And since I'm one of the guests of honour at Bloody Words (the Canadian Crime Writers conference)I have a feature interview tonight, from 7:30 to 8:30 I suspect it will be me, Michael and the interviewer. If I wasn't the interviewee, I wouldn't be there! Oh well. More things I can't control. Actually makes life quite relaxing.
Take care and thank you for all your good wishes regarding the Arthur Ellis. I'm so proud to be a Canadian Crime writer, and the award would have been a treasure, but perhaps another year.
Gorgeous day, and fun evening. As perhaps you've gathered, I didn't win the ellis award, but a fine writer did! Linwood Barclay. Indeed, the field was so strong I felt relaxed knowing whoever won would deserve it.
There's no doubt I would always prefer to hear my name, who wouldn't. But I also know I've had way more than my share of good fortune. The sun shines on Linwood today, and someone else tomorrow and maybe me another day...and all I can do is keep walking outside and doing my best. and knowing even rainy days are blessings.
Our friend Flora joined us at our table for the dinner. a lovely, supportive, woman.
Had huge fun yesterday - lunch on the Rideau Canal, at the National Arts Centre with our friends Vicky and Howard. Listening to funny stories, getting caught up. then Michael and I took the boat cruise along the canal. Beautiful day for it!
it was a bit crowded with kids...the boat before and after were near empty, but ours was full. Not exactly tranquil, but it could have been worse. No loss of life, or temper. Again - things beyond our control. No use stewing, though I try...for a while. But it's not that much fun, so soon give it up in favour of having a good time. Often the scream in my head is way worse than anything happening externally. the good news is, I can turn that off.
Today is splendid - working on my speech for tomorrow night and having lunch with friends...then either off to the war museum or a nap. Am quite tired. And since I'm one of the guests of honour at Bloody Words (the Canadian Crime Writers conference)I have a feature interview tonight, from 7:30 to 8:30 I suspect it will be me, Michael and the interviewer. If I wasn't the interviewee, I wouldn't be there! Oh well. More things I can't control. Actually makes life quite relaxing.
Take care and thank you for all your good wishes regarding the Arthur Ellis. I'm so proud to be a Canadian Crime writer, and the award would have been a treasure, but perhaps another year.
Monday, 30 June 2008
Lovely day
sunny, hot, beautiful, temps 27
Another unexpectedly glorious day! Last year, when we had 6 kids visiting, it was bitterly cold and rainy the whole time. This year it's been fantastic. And it makes such a difference. having loads of fun.
Had a meeting today too in Knowlton about the launch of book 4 - The Murder Stone. Hoping to have the first launch at Brome Lake Books in Knowlton, and then the next day, have an event at Hovey manoir...but I'll keep you posted.
Anotehr bit of great news is that the Canadian crime convention, Bloody Words, has chosen its International Guest of Honour...Peter Temple...who's come from Australia. So he'll be the Int'l and I'll be the Canadian...it's next June and we really hope you can make it.
Must run - kids calling. Don't smell smoke, so it can't be that bad.
Another unexpectedly glorious day! Last year, when we had 6 kids visiting, it was bitterly cold and rainy the whole time. This year it's been fantastic. And it makes such a difference. having loads of fun.
Had a meeting today too in Knowlton about the launch of book 4 - The Murder Stone. Hoping to have the first launch at Brome Lake Books in Knowlton, and then the next day, have an event at Hovey manoir...but I'll keep you posted.
Anotehr bit of great news is that the Canadian crime convention, Bloody Words, has chosen its International Guest of Honour...Peter Temple...who's come from Australia. So he'll be the Int'l and I'll be the Canadian...it's next June and we really hope you can make it.
Must run - kids calling. Don't smell smoke, so it can't be that bad.
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