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Page 98
Early on in the writing process for The Ravenstones I came across an invaluable website and blog for writers, called Writer Unboxed (WU). The site, hosting contributions from a host of authors, editors, literary agents and industry experts is “dedicated to publishing empowering, positive, and provocative ideas about the craft and business of fiction.” I… Read more
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A dendrophile; yes indeed.
Full marks for anyone who figured out what a dendrophile is and knows the roots of the word: the Greek dendron (tree) and philos (loving). The truth is that I’ve always loved trees. It seems highly appropriate: I live in Canada. The country abounds with nature, parks and trees. And everyone must know by now… Read more
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A Creature of the Underworld
“Badgers are the creatures of the underworld, denizens of earthen darkness…It is in the hidden places under the night sky or in the twilight hours that they are most commonly to be found…Symbolically they inhabit the forbidden domain of the dead, the dangerous destination of [those] who journey to the underworld in search of treasure.”… Read more
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The war is three years in
The war is three years in. A charismatic leader of the attacked nation rallies his citizens, but looks to the United States for survival. The oppressor has made large territorial gains but seems to be stalled in its tracks. Who knows how long the war will last? Who knows how much more sacrifice is to… Read more
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The Golden Spruce
If one book could be chosen to represent an entire geographic entity, and for the sake of argument, the entity was the province in which I live, British Columbia (BC), this book would likely be that choice. Toronto: Vintage Canada (a division of Random House), 2006 The Golden Spruce was the local library’s book club… Read more
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In Praise of the Short Story
“The slaughter hasn’t started yet.” Thus begins a short story by Lee Abbott, called “One of Star Wars, One of Doom”, published in 2001. Is that a great beginning or what? There’s no way one turns away from such an opening – a sense of real foreboding and mystery. And the use of the present… Read more
