I have had some pretty adventuresome vacations: Banff, where I had my closest encounter with a grizzly bear; whitewater canoeing in Ontario and Quebec; and last year, when we got uncomfortably close to the wine country wildfires. And last month, I encountered a different kind of adventure in Portugal. It’s a wonderful place, and my […]
You know the phrase “fashion statement.” The clothes we wear can be as much an attempt to draw attention, to attempt anonymity or to fit into a tribe. Most men my age, at least in Canada, are attempting that anonymous-member-of-the-tribe look with our golf shirts and jeans. We’re saying “We’re regular guys, just give us […]
People often say travel broadens you. It opens your mind and your heart to new ideas, exposes you to different cultures and people, and tends to make you more accepting of differences. For me, travel is also inspiring—literally. When I travel, I often get new ideas for stories and novels. These can be sparked by […]
It’s Victoria Day in Canada, a national holiday. As comedy troupe The Irrelevant Show said, it’s “Canadians’ favourite holiday devoted to Victorian oppression and yard work.” For those readers in warmer climes, the Victoria Day long weekend is traditionally the time to plant your garden. It’s the earliest time in the year in most of […]
2015 was a great year for The Written Word Communications Company. Two books edited—Call me Razor by Vic Tomlinson and Dragon by Louise Sorensen (coming) Two novellas published—Torn Roots and Jet – Stealth One longish short story published—Palm Trees & Snowflakes Another novel completed and ready for publication in 2016—Under the Nazi Heel, the follow-up to […]
Why do writers write? I asked a whole whack of writers what aspect of writing do they like best, and what do they wish they could do less of? Today, two very different writers offer their responses, Russell Blake and Bob Nailor. Which element of fiction is most important to you as a writer: Russell Blake: It’s […]