Celebrating Firsts
It’s been a long time coming. Learning curves have been steep enough to toss me on my back. Family crises have intervened. Distractions abounded. But I made it! YAY! Massive hugs to all the amazing people who helped… Read More
How do I love thee…
Let me count the raise. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My yeast can reach… Did you guess from my mangled paraphrasing of Elizabeth Barrett Browning‘s poem that I love bread? Yes, earlier, I confessed… Read More
Sleight of Mind
Writers find ideas in a lot of different places; the shower, the cafe, a wine glass. Many ideas pop up in the middle of some mundane chore or oft-repeated task. Why does this happen? I believe it’s “sleight… Read More
Shots in the Laneway
Deep in the heart of my city, strange things happen… © Joan Leacott 2012
Writing Course in Toronto
Eve Silver‘s books are awesome, so she knows what she’s talking about! Course: Writing Popular Fiction Instructor: Eve Silver Where: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, St. George Campus When: Tuesday October 2 – Tuesday November 27,… Read More
Serving up Firefighters
A room full of women surround a catwalk. The fashion show is over. The women grow restless. Two Toronto firefighters strut out and flex their suspenders. Programs stir up a breeze. The auctioneer opens the bidding for the Food &… Read More
Writing Lesson in Music Class
As mentioned in my last post, I’m taking piano lessons. With five kids, my immigrant parents couldn’t afford them. Now that I have lots of time on my hands, I’m treating myself to something I’ve always wanted to… Read More
Silence in Writing
I adored The Artist. Jean Dujardin, as Valentin, deserves his Best Actor Oscar. In one scene, the irrepressible Peppy disparages the broad gesticulations and exaggerated facial expressions of the old silent films as “mugging for the camera”. This film has none of that…. Read More
Roller Coaster Writer
Get an idea for your next book from an everyday event that you really look at for the first time. Read a craft book. Figure out why your last scene sucked. Write 2k words on your Work-in-Progress in one… Read More
Somebody to Love
Deep in the bowels of a century-old stone building is a room few outsiders dare to enter. Scales, spikes, fuzzy skins, and blue tongues adorn strange beasts living in the oddly-scented heat. Keepers take regular delivery of living creatures… Read More
Joan Leacott 