Search found 16 matches

by marccolbourne
August 13th, 2010, 9:48 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: How do you get yourself to write?
Replies: 40
Views: 18868

Re: How do you get yourself to write?

This thread couldn't have come at a better time for me! Thank you so much for your ideas and encouragement.

Marc
by marccolbourne
August 12th, 2010, 1:14 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Dead And Alive: Who Are Your Favorite Writers?
Replies: 22
Views: 7675

Re: Dead And Alive: Who Are Your Favorite Writers?

Hmmm...interesting question...

I think I would have to say Timothy Findley for my favorite author who has passed on and Margaret Atwood for favorite author still living and writing. Yes, as you can tell, I am huge CanLit fan.

Marc
by marccolbourne
July 20th, 2010, 12:29 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Canucks
Replies: 16
Views: 6024

Re: Canucks

Hello there, Good to see another Canadian here. I am currently living in Edmonton but am originally from Newfoundland. I also spent about 6 years living 'overseas' before moving to Edmonton four years ago (almost four years in Cuba and the rest of the time divided between Bolivia, Guatemala and Cost...
by marccolbourne
July 14th, 2010, 10:58 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: I am having a scene block. Help
Replies: 3
Views: 1643

I am having a scene block. Help

Hello folks, I am currently three quarters of the way through the first draft of a nonfiction/memoir. It is the story of an Iranian refugee who was forced to flee his country after starting the country's first underground gay and lesbian organization. I started the book with a catching (I believe) s...
by marccolbourne
May 22nd, 2010, 12:12 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Two Competing Ideas...
Replies: 10
Views: 4469

Re: Two Competing Ideas...

I have experienced the same problem. I hate sounding mystical and all pop psychology-y about the writing process, but if your situation is anything like mine, the problem might be that neither of your fiction ideas have finished developing in your deeper levels of consciousness. (gag) Thank you eve...
by marccolbourne
May 19th, 2010, 1:05 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Two Competing Ideas...
Replies: 10
Views: 4469

Two Competing Ideas...

Hello everyone, For the last couple of months I have been working on two very different ideas for a novel. I have written or sketched out enough of both to know that each one could possibly work as a longer piece of fiction. I feel passionate and excited about both of these ideas. But here's the thi...
by marccolbourne
May 12th, 2010, 11:24 am
Forum: Books
Topic: What are you reading now?
Replies: 528
Views: 308569

Re: What are you reading now?

I am on a bit of a Margaret Atwood kick right now. I have finished The Year of the Flood and The Robber Bride. I am now about to start Cats Eye.

I am loving her writing...I can't believe I avoided her (for reasons unknown) for so long.

Marc
by marccolbourne
May 7th, 2010, 3:02 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Bestsellers that don't live up to the hype
Replies: 29
Views: 11479

Re: Bestsellers that don't live up to the hype

I'm currently slogging through "The Cellist of Sarajevo" -- don't know about down in the US, but it was a big seller up here in Canada. I find it... a sluggish chore of a read. Craig, I absolutely loved the Cellist of Sarajevo but I read while in Sarajevo during a backpacking trip through...
by marccolbourne
May 4th, 2010, 11:10 am
Forum: Books
Topic: Funniest book you've read?
Replies: 36
Views: 18319

Re: Funniest book you've read?

Definitely Come Thou, Tortoise by Jessica Grant.
by marccolbourne
March 22nd, 2010, 11:13 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Multiple POVs in first person. help please.
Replies: 11
Views: 4889

Re: Multiple POVs in first person. help please.

Check out Fall by Colin McAdam. Great book and told from multiple first person POVs. It was shortlisted for the Scotia Bank Giller Prize this year which is Canada's most prestigious literary prize.

Marc
by marccolbourne
March 6th, 2010, 4:13 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Recommendations - Books on Grammar
Replies: 9
Views: 3586

Re: Recommendations - Books on Grammar

Thanks everyone!

I just ordered my anniversary edition of Strunk and White online. I am looking forward to its arrival.

Happy writing (and perfect grammar),
Marc
by marccolbourne
March 2nd, 2010, 11:21 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Recommendations - Books on Grammar
Replies: 9
Views: 3586

Recommendations - Books on Grammar

Hello all,

Just wondering if someone can recommend a good book or two on grammar, punctuation, etc?

I am particularly interested in concise, easy to understand, practical books...

Any ideas?

Marc
by marccolbourne
January 31st, 2010, 11:37 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Attachment to your first draft?
Replies: 11
Views: 4525

Re: Attachment to your first draft?

Thank you so much everyone!

There is some great advice here. Now I just need to take it and use it as I continue to revise.

Marc
by marccolbourne
January 30th, 2010, 11:11 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Attachment to your first draft?
Replies: 11
Views: 4525

Attachment to your first draft?

Hello there, I am wondering if anyone has the same challenge that I am facing right now... I have embraced the idea of writing a 'shitty first draft'...just getting something down on paper (or on the screen) so that the book moves along and I can come back to revise. I am in the revision stage now a...
by marccolbourne
January 16th, 2010, 12:34 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What are you writing now?
Replies: 69
Views: 26636

Re: What are you writing now?

Hello there, I am currently working on a non-fiction/memoir of an Iranian refugee currently living in Canada. He is 29 and had to flee his country after starting the first underground gay and lesbian human rights organization there. Punishment in Iran for being gay ranges from torture to execution. ...