Grimm Re-Writes

I just saw the movie 'Mirror Mirror,' which of course is a re-telling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Dwarves?) I don't usually do re-tellings, and when I did them it was for storytelling on a t.v. show, not for publication in print. But I enjoy off beat or twisted and turned around versions of familiar folk and fairy tales. Maybe I'll give re-telling another shot one of these days. 'Mirror Mirror' pays homage to a number of different tales, and adds a few new twists (even a touch of Bollywood). Paying homage isn't the same as plagiarism, and the reminders of Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and even Alice in Wonderland, are subtle. Seeing the film reminded me that there are old stories out there which could be dusted off and re-arranged and seen from a different perspective. If you want to try a new exercise, take a favourite fairy tale and turn it around a little. See what happens.

Nanaimo Bookfest

I'm heading to Nanaimo on Thursday for the Bookfest. It's always wonderful to meet new readers and writers. Hope some of you will be there. Don't forget to say hi.

Word Counts

Or maybe it should be 'words count.' Either way, it seems that the more you write the smoother it all flows. Naturally, I'll be going back to edit - many times over. So far Pugman PI is 10,174 words and Emily Strikes is 23,564 words. Remember when you had to write 2,000 word essays and you'd wonder how you were going to write something so long? Eventually you realise that the challenge isn't getting enough words written, it's trying to keep within set guidelines that publishers give you.

Travel=Inspiration

I flew to London and Malta this past March, and took along a little notebook and some pens. I know some people write detailed accounts of their day to day adventures, and I'm in awe of those who do that, but I only make notes, add a few amateur sketches(and I mean 'amateur')and when something inspires me with a story idea I scribble a paragraph or two and questions for myself.
Which works for you? Every writer has different ways of writing a journal or making story notes. You can find stories in the most unlikely or surprising places.
Meanwhile, back home, I'm waiting to hear if a publisher likes my second draft of a funny story - my dog story, the one I've been writing and re-writing for years. If she doesn't I'll try elsewhere. I'm also working hard on a longer, more serious historical novel. It's going to need a lot of work.
And then there is Harold the Hero. Looking for a publisher with a quirky sense of humour for that one.
I hope all you writers out there are working hard and feeling satisfied with what you've accomplished. Never give up.