Hello, Sleevers, I hope you are keeping well. I have missed our back and forth here at the blog. I have been absent lately, but I have a good excuse. Book release!
My debut novel, Daughter of the Moon is finally ready! Release date is October 3, 2024 for the eBook and October 6th for the paperback.
Click for the e-book on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca
art Henri Matisse
It's Woman's Work
He rushed past the threshold
With barely a glance back
No concern for his son’s lost shoe
Or his daughter’s missing “my little pony”
It’s woman’s work
And he need not bother
He works hard, he explained
But went to great pains
To catch a game
He was important, you know
Above menial chores
But he would soon learn
The cost of his absence
Could not be repaid,
Ever, amen
And the perpetual woman’s work
Came to an end, left undone
When the love dried up
Only a fool assumes she will forgive
Without appreciation for the little things she did
Like a kettle overboiled scalding his heart
The scar will remain long after she departs
Memory of her holding their son,
Or kissing a boo-boo,
Vivid and clear
Woman's work endeared
Many years later
The lonely man advises the younger,
"As you pass the threshold
Remember to glance back
For you never know
Which day will be your last"
Hello Sleevers, t’s been a while since we’ve talked. Life has been interfering with my blog.
I hope you are doing well. I thought a nice way to ease in back here is to share what I’m currently reading, doing and anticipating this Spring. We’re half way through spring, that’s true but it’s not too late to share what’s happening mid-season.
First, let’s talk books.
Joseph Campbell’s Hero With a Thousand Faces. I’m sure you’ve all heard of it. I found this gem at a used bookstore last year but have only begun reading it about a month ago. I’ve put it down in the last few weeks to take up a library book and a lighter read for our recent vacation. The book is fascinating especially the historic folklore and mythology. Campbell takes you through the hero’s journey from Departure (some do not answer the call), Initiation (the perils they must overcome), Return (some do not return) and the Keys (I haven’t gotten to this part of the book yet). In any case, the theme is that we are all on a journey that looks similar to the hero’s. It’s interesting to note that our modern day tropes in fiction and film are also based on the premise of hero’s journey.
After the Funeral and Other Stories by British author, Tessa Hadley. This is a new release from a debut author who has been compared to Alice Munro. I had to check her out as Munro is one of my all time favourite authors and not just because she is Canadian.
I loved the first story which is the title story of the collection. However, so far each successive story has become more grim, the characters less enchanting. I hate to say it because this author’s style is typically the kind of writing I like to dig into. However, some of her similes are simply ridiculously over written. There’s nothing worse than a writer who shows off their finessing of words to the point of distraction. I’m still reading it though, so I am not reviewing it, just sharing my thoughts on it so far.
Cedar Cove #6 Ranier Drive by Debbie Macomber. I picked this up at the drugstore to take on my vacation because Macomber’s books have always satisfied my need for a cozy, laid back read. Turns out this book is one of the Cedar Cove series. It’s a popular television series on the W Network although I have never watched it. It was a slow start as there are so many characters my head was spinning and it wasn’t from the Mai Tais. Now that I’ve gotten halfway through, I am getting to know the characters and enjoying the stories of each one. She writes child characters very well, too.
Taking one last go through of my manuscript, Daughter of the Moon, before sending it to the editor in May. I’m very excited to take the next step and get the editor’s eyes on it. As for the cover, I have done some mockups but I’m not satisfied with any of them. I’m considering having no image on the cover.
As a reader and buyer of books, what do you think of a cover with simply a nice colour and the title like the After the Funeral book cover pictured above? Let me know in the comments what you think.
Packing. We are moving again. I’m very excited as we are moving to a larger space and will have a yard for the first time in years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed where we are living now. The apartment itself was perfection, the location also perfection. City life was lots of fun and convenient for my husband’s work. I’ve enjoyed a space of my own here for painting and writing, with windows facing the Northshore mountains. Walking distance to amazing restaurants, the seawall and popular beaches. Sigh. I will miss it but of course, we won’t be too far away and will still call the city home.
A road trip with my daughter! This should be adventurous. What could go wrong? A mother and daughter in a car together for two days…well, she has promised my playlist. She has also asked me for my favorite podcasts because “We can’t listen to Abba the whole way.” Haha! Absolutely true. We are driving from Vancouver to Edmonton, Alberta. One night’s stay in Jasper. I haven’t been to Jasper in over a decade so it will be lovely to see again. It really is beautiful there with the majestic Rockies and ice blue lakes.
Packing, packing, packing. Moving and setting up house. These will be taking up most of my month of May.
Closing arguments. Last week of May I will be attending court to listen to closing arguments of my trial that took place January 29-February 28. Here is a pic my husband took of me about to begin day 7 (day four of cross examination) on the witness stand.
Me about to begin my last day of cross examination. I’m certainly relieved that’s behind me now.
So lots going on this spring. Lots of change and perhaps some closure along with a little adventure.
Please tell me, what are you reading currently? What are you up to this spring? Don’t forget to let me know what you think of book covers without images.
Shadowed secrets
Weight my mind
Ground me in clouds
Greyer than time
Do you remember me?
Or am I a figment
Of a lie
You pretend to deny
Open now to sunlight
In the gloom
I make no sound
Simply pray
On a starlit wing
Returning to me
my soul replete
Treading lightly
In a new day
-Lisa Thomson Wells
Challenge: If you can guess the Christmas song that the following lyric excerpts belong to, then you win a free copy of my upcoming book I Don’t Drink Alone and Other Lies.
Simply write the song to which the lyric belongs (in order) in the comments section.
Challenge closes December 24th at midnight, moments before Santa comes clattering down your chimney.
Here goes:
“…I’m gonna make a lot of money and quit this crazy scene…”
“…Now we are tall and Christmas trees are small…”
“…folks dressed up like Eskimos…”
“…how many people are crying, people are dying, people are asking for love?…”
“…door bells and sleigh bells and warm schnitzel with noodles…”
“…bells on a wintry night with a friendly fire burning warm and bright,,,”
“…Once bitten twice shy, I keep my distance but you still catch my eye…”
“…you will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear voices singing let’s be jolly…”
“…someday soon we all will be together if the fates allow…”
“…a long time ago in Bethlehem the holy piper said…”
Good luck, everyone and have yourself a Merry little Christmas.
December 26: Winner-Kevin Shaw 🙂
My last mail out I had asked my subscribers which upcoming book they would like to read of mine, given a choice of the three works currently in progress. The results are listed below in order of popularity:
I Don’t Drink Alone and Other Lies-a hilarious essay collection
Draft Book Cover
Between Midnight and the Moon-Poetry Collection
Daughter of the Moon-a Novel
So I did have a set back with editing my novel. But I am getting back on track with that and I Don’t Drink Alone is pretty much ready to format. So looks like I will have a few new releases in early 2024.
In other topics; The strangest thing has been happening to me. I come up with an idea to write about here on the blog and then moments later, I forget what my brilliant idea was. What the heck?! Also, I re-read my post on “Ten things Covid Made Me Do”. I looked for it on the blog because there was a Leonard Cohen special on HBO which triggered my memory. I thought of the time during Covid that I tied my Beau to the kitchen chair. You know what came next.
image source: Ben Nelms for CBC “Aggressive Wildfire Threatens Major Okanagan Cities”
Untitled
Only the Lucky Ones
Orange, smokey skies
Cloud our thoughts
Confusion and loss
Invade our lives
Burning out of control
Devil’s breath destroys
Leaving our home behind
Only the lucky ones
Get out alive
-LTW
With the wildfires foremost on my mind, the above poem came to me naturally. I can’t think of a title though. Strange as usually titles come to me first.
I’ve been thinking about the evacuees due to wildfires in both the Interior British Columbia and Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories. In addition, the tragedy of Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii has weighed heavily on my mind as I’m sure it has with you as well.
Normally I would write about ‘summer’ and what I’ve been up to but summer hasn’t been pleasant with wildfires dominating the news. The season’s no longer as charming as its endless blue skies and incredible sunsets. It is disturbing. I do feel that our world is truly on fire.
Just for reference, the city of Yellowknife is the most northern city in Canada. There is no daylight on the winter solstice and no darkness on the summer solstice. I’ve heard from people who have lived there that it is a magical place where the Aurora Borealis dances and the community, although fraught with a colorful history, is tight knit.
If you are curious about this city, I recommend reading Elizabeth Hay’s Late Nights On Air. I’ve read it twice because it’s that good. It is fiction (semi-autobiographical) and takes place in the mid-late 1970’s. She weaves the political issues and the growth of the city of Yellowknife in her story making the city itself a central character. The story takes you through the wilderness as well which is a vicarious way to experience the Great North without leaving your couch (haha).
I pray the city will survive and the evacuees can return to their homes and livelihoods. Ditto for the city of Kelowna which has been hit hard in the suburban areas. I saw on the news that the conditions for fighting the fires have improved but still, no rain in forecast to assist.
To give you a visual, you see on the map below exactly where Yellowknife is located. The Interior cities in British Columbia are southwestern part of the map.
Summer isn’t over yet and nor are the wildfire dangers. Let’s hope for improvement in the next few days. What’s happening in your part of the world? Do you feel overwhelmed by climate change, or the ‘news’ in general? Let’s chat in the comments. Also, if you can suggest a title for my poem please tell me in the comments. 🙂 Thank you, LA CONTESSA who suggested the title for my poem!
Photo by Randy Kinne on Unsplash
Do you love him? he asked
Yes, she answered a little too quickly
He could see through her lies
And her phony goodbyes
He touched her hand
His heart flickered
And he saw into her soul
His twin flame alight
When I was a child this odd and haunting song was often heard on the radio. I didn’t know what it was called or who sang it but it was both dreamy and sad. Something about life’s illusions. What even are life’s illusions? I would ponder.
There was a carousel or was that a different song? No, it was a ‘ferris wheel’ and a ‘circus crowd’.
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