Blog
What’s it all about? An excerpt from Where Do Ideas Come From?
“The idea of creating a learning guide for young people’s books is truly inspired.” Introduction Many of my novels can be used as the basis for workshops and projects in the classroom. The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, and The Heretic’s Tomb are all time travel stories and can be used as the basis for workshops in which students create time machines and stories set in a different era. All three novels are also ideal for studying the different historical periods depicted in the stories. The...
read moreWhat’s it all about? Sources of inspiration for The Alchemist’s Portrait.
The cover illustration for The Alchemist’s Portrait was based on the Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife (1434) by Jan van Eyck. Another famous painting mentioned in the novel is The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals (1624), and the painting entitled Banquet of the Officers of the St Hadrian Civic Guard Company (c. 1627), also by Frans Hals, will give you a good impression of how people dressed in seventeenth century Amsterdam. One of the figures in the painting was also the inspiration for Nicolas van der Leyden, the villain...
read moreWhat’s it all about? Sources of inspiration for the Shadowzone series
The Shadowzone series involves the discovery of a grim dystopian version of Earth that’s ruled by a totalitarian dictatorship called the Ministry, the threat of a deadly virus, and a race against time to save the lives of millions. Here’s a synopsis for each of the novels. Shadowzone While watching intense flashes of lightning during a violent storm, Ben experiences mysterious and disturbing visions of another world, one very different from his own. In the chain of events that follow, Ben encounters Charlie, a girl from a dark version...
read moreCoaching and Consulting
A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions and receive constructive feedback. A professional specializing in coaching and consulting acts as a guide as you build your career as a professional writer. A coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, regain momentum or make a start on a new project. I’m a member of the Calgary Association of Freelance Editors and have served as the Writer-in-Residence with the Canadian Authors Association. Further details, along with numerous references and...
read moreLearn How to Write Effective and Compelling Historical Fiction
Historical fiction combines the events of the past with characters and stories from the writer’s imagination. This course examines the art of writing historical fiction and the need to fully immerse yourself in a particular time period to make your storytelling more believable. Learn how to write effective, authentic and appealing historical fiction and how to turn your ideas into compelling stories. Understand what defines historical fiction and different historical time periods, create believable settings and plausible characters and learn...
read moreWhen Words Collide August 14, 2021
Today, I’ll be appearing online at When Words Collide, Calgary’s exciting annual literary festival . My presentation entitled Writing Historical Fiction is at 10 am on August 14. Learn how to write an effective, authentic, and appealing story in this genre and how to fully immerse yourself in your chosen time period. Understand what defines historical fiction and different time periods, how to create believable settings, plausible characters, and the role of research in the creation of your novel. My presentation on Writing for...
read moreWhen Words Collide August 13, 2021
Today, I’ll be appearing online at When Words Collide, Calgary’s exciting annual literary festival . My presentation entitled Time Travel: Not Just a Thing of the Past is at 3 pm on August 13. I’ll be sharing tips and tricks to weave time travel elements into the plot for any age group. Learn how to plan and realize your novel with an alternate reality element that takes the reader on a logical journey, in an illogical world. To attend presentations register for When Words Collide @...
read moreWhen Words Collide 2021
This weekend, I’ll be appearing at When Words Collide. This exciting annual literary festival embraces literature of all forms, including genre, and this year is held online. When Words Collide exists to provide an opportunity for the literary community, from readers to writers to publishers, to gather and share information and inspiration. With the belief that different genres have more in common than they have differences, the festival includes content for all types of literature including mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance,...
read moreCassa Playwriting this July
Cassa Playwriting this summer will take place in person. This July, in a dramatic fun filled week children write, rehearse, and perform their own unique play in just four days. Students create the plot, craft the script, write dialogue and hone their acting skills for their very own dramatic production, which will then be performed at the end of the week. Register @...
read moreCopywriting for Business
I offer a number of writer services for business. The way in which you communicate with your customers is a vital component of your business and well written content can be the difference between success and failure. I have extensive experience in writing for a wide range of industries and market segments and offer a variety of copywriting services including website content, blogs and newsletters, social media including Facebook and Twitter, brochures, direct mail, sales letters, press releases, newspaper and magazine advertising and...
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