2012

Calling all writers to do what you do best -- let the ink flow in 2012. 

As for me, my first project of the new year will be to collaborate with artist/illustrator, Susan Krupp, yuneekpix.com, on my third novel Ellen and The Hummingtree.  Book launch is planned for fall 2012.

cover design by Susan at Yuneekpix.com

My second project is to begin the challenge of writing my memoirs.  While I was disappointed not to be able to attend Dr. Ross Pennie's class on memoir writing while he was here in Elliot Lake at our Writers'  Festival in October, it  has been on my mind for some time to begin this journey.

I feel confident that 2012 will be the perfect year to complete a writing project such as this.

I also plan to continue my short story writing with Wynterblue Publishing Canada.  I will enter the WynLit 24 monthly competitions.     Over the past few years I've had more than 20 short stories published by Wynterblue.  In 2011 four of my short stories were short-listed.   I hope I can do as well in 2012. 

And in 2011 I had three short stories published in  the on-line magazine called CommuterLit.com .  I plan to submit more stories to them in 2012 and hope they will find favour.

I also submitted a short story recently to another on-line site called Chapter and Verse.   I was pleased that they liked my story titled After Words and published it.  I plan to submit more work to them in 2012.

I am also pleased that another on-line site called Suite101.com has welcomed me as a freelance article writer.  I've yet to submit to them but look forward to this new writing adventure in 2012 and hope I can write something that will be of interest to them.

This year I submitted a poem and was very pleased to have it selected for publication in the White Mountain Publication titled Scripted Inspiration Northern Ontario Poetry Collection, Volume Sixteen 2011.  We enjoyed our trip to New Liskeard for the launch of this book and what a pleasure  it was to once again meet with Deborah Ranchuk and the other participating poets.  In the past I've had poetry published in White Mountain Publication Anthologies; Sylvan Jottings in 2006 and Moments in Time in 2008.  I plan to do my best to have at least one or two poems written in 2012 to submit to White Mountain and hope they will find their way into publication. 

Creative writing is my joy.  I look forward to a new year of writing adventures.

Forgive the misquote but Steven King has said something like, "I write because I want to see how the story ends."   This is also true for me.   I begin writing a story but before long the character(s) take over.  I simply do my best to type fast enough to keep up with their thoughts and dialogue. 

Although retiring recently as Elliot Lake Writers'  Workshop Secretary,  I remain an active member and look forward to our monthly sessions where there is always something new and exciting to learn.

My self-help guide titled Keeping it Simple is currently sold out but I do have a few copies available for sale of my anthology titled The Silent Star plus a Dozen as well as a few copies remaining of my two novels titled Sara, a Canadian Saga and Reawakening.  Don't hesitate to contact me if you wish to purchase a copy of one of these books.  

Sara, a Canadian Saga is also published on-line at Amazon.com by Wynterblue Publishing Canada.   

Something I hope to learn more about in 2012 is the on-line publishing process.  I am happy and grateful that Wynterblue Publishing Canada wanted to publish SARA, a Canadian Saga, the E-book   with Amazon.com.  I don't personally own a Kindle or any other form of electronic reader but maybe 2012 will be the year that I give in to what seems to be the book technology of the future.  If you have read and enjoyed Sara, please know that your positive comments are always welcome.  Writers know that those things which bring  joy in the writing are not always appreciated by everyone.  But let it always be known that I appreciate you wonderful readers who  take the time to tell me you enjoy what I write.  Your encouragement and support is valued.  Thank you.

This has been a sort of review of my writing adventure throughout 2011.  Together let's keep the ink flowing throughout 2012.

I wish you a very Happy New Year!  Happy writing!

Welcome home, Dudley!

An Update:

Dudley is home from hospital and experiencing a good recovery from his surgery.   Thank-you to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers.  Special thanks to Dr. Prodan who took time out from his holiday to be there to take care of Dudley.  We are very grateful. 

Dudley has a very sore mouth; he's very thirsty and hungry.   But he has a big, strong heart for a little old guy.  He's a trooper! 

On the road to wellness.  :-)

Praying for Dudley ......

I'm totally lost without him.  Dudley is in hospital.  Thank God Dr. Prodan has him in his care and we are praying that he, at the old age of 16, is strong enough to withstand surgery. 

Love you Dudley.   You are the light of my life.  

Thy will be done --

Merry Christmas everyone!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Pets are family members too -- please keep them warm this winter :-)

At Christmas

by Audrey Austin

Through multi-paned window

Brown eyes wishing, praying,

Desire to be inside on carpet near fireside,

To hear what they say,

To watch children play.

The children are happy, Santa has been most kind

Gifts galore on the floor just inside the door

But I feel all alone on the other side,

My feelings are injured and so is my pride.

Then finally it happens

Susan asks where is Spot?

Bobby cries come here boy and share in our joy

It’s not Christmas without you, we love you a lot.

I lift freezing paw tap, tappity, tap

On the window.  At last she looks up,

Oh, Bobby, you’ve left him outside in the cold, Susan scolds

Just before the big door swings wide.

Now through multi-paned window I watch snowflakes dancing

I lay, tail wag-wagging. I’m loving my life,

Christmas carols entrancing,

Outside reindeer are prancing,

Let me stay on the inside so there’s nothing I’ll miss,

Another dog’s Christmas and life is pure bliss.

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS

WE WISH YOU

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

the reason for the season

I wish you peace, love,  prosperity and words that flow -- keep on writing!

 

A Christmas poem ....

This Christmas Let’s Find a Way

by Audrey Austin

What can I say about Christmas that hasn’t been said before?

What do I feel deep down in my heart

As I hang the wreath on my front door?

Am I truly at peace when I string the lights

Around the Christmas tree?

And do I remember the birth of the child who lived and died for me?

Am I so enthralled by the shopping,

The wrapping,

the sharing,

the songs and the fun

That I overlook the Messiah’s birth, the love of the Holy One?

Forgetting that Christmas is meant to comprise,

The love and the hope in a small child’s eyes

Or family together,

friends near to the heart

Rebirthing,

redemption,

joy right from the start.

This Christmas Day let’s find  a way

 to peace and love spread

 through homes starving for bread

of life,

love,

peace and joy.

What more can be said

 as I kneel by my bed

Except thanks for the birth of this boy

who grew tall,
 gave His all

That we live, one and all?

I see the snow falling,
I hear children calling,

Don’t make Him pariah,
 Celebrate the Messiah.

What more can I say about Christmas that hasn’t been said before?

And what do I feel deep down in my heart

when I hang

that wreath

on my front door?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

God loves everybody

"God Loves Everybody" was shared by a friend on Facebook.  I liked it very much and wanted to share it with you here on my blog.

I agree, it is time.  :-)

Chapter and Verse

In addition to having a third short story titled Entertaining Stranger published today on CommuterLit.com,  I am also very pleased that my first short story submission to Chapter and Verse titled Afterwords is published today.

I love writing short stories and because as a writer I often feel that I work alone in a vacuum, to have someone else like what has been written feels just like receiving a breath of fresh air, a pat on the back, encouragement to continue.

My gratitude rests with Maggie Kirton at Wynterblue Publishing Canada who was the first, upon my retirement from the working world and arrival into the writing world, to encourage me by publishing some of my stories in Confabulation issues 2, 3 and 4.

My gratitude also rests with my dear mother who always encouraged me to write my stories when I was a little girl.

My mother always loved to write her own stories.  It is from her I have inherited my interest and joy in short story writing.   My Mom's greatest love was writing poetry; something I try to do once in a while though I don't dare call myself a poet.  I call myself someone who likes to write rhymes.  I am pleased though that a poem I recently read at the Elliot Lake Christmas Concert will be published in our Elliot Lake Standard newspaper sometime before Christmas.

My new adventure is article-writing.  This is a challenge and at this point I am not sure if it is one I can meet but I'm willing to give it my best shot.   Suite101.com has opened a door for me in this area.  I hope I can come up with something acceptable to them.

Christmas is a busy time of year but I've promised myself I will cut back on many activities in 2012 to allow myself the time and the pleasure of focusing on more creative writing.

I am going to be collaborating with local artist, Susan Krupp, to create my third novel titled Ellen and the Hummingtree.  This title may be reduced to The Hummingtree.  I haven't fully decided yet.

Below is a copy of its book cover created by Susan at Yuneekpix.com

Copies of my anthology The Silent Star Plus a Dozen and copies of my first two novels, Sara, a Canadian Saga and Reawakening are available for Christmas gift-giving. To order your copy please email me.

Your encouragement and support mean the world to me.  Thank you.  :-)

Cover design:  Yuneekpix.com

'Tis the Season

Our little one-of-a-kind decorated Christmas Tree

is on display for its second year.

In some ways I miss the big Christmas Tree

but in many other ways I am glad that we are Keeping it Simple this Christmas.

Christmas concerts, pot luck luncheons, parties and church events

all work together

to make this a most joyous season.

This evening members of Elliot Lake Writers' Workshop

will celebrate with our Christmas Pot Luck supper.

My third short story can be found on CommuterLit.com this week.

It will be published tomorrow (Tuesday)

Thank you for your positive comments.

Christmas Eve is just twelve days away. Already we have celebrated and lit the candle for the third Sunday in Advent.

I wish you a peaceful and joyous Christmas.

Elliot Lake Christmas Concert

The Elliot Lake Christmas Concert was a great success last evening with standing room only in the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre's Auditorium.

For the first time Elliot Lake Writers' Workshop participated  in the annual event with Christmas short story and poetry presentations.  The nine participants were Hilda Ross, Bernice Hennebury, Goldie Luckey, Shirley Green, Paul McIlvried, Agnes Davis, Jurgen Braunohler, Gloria Jean Hansen and myself.

Below are some photos taken by ELWW member Frank Spence.  Thank you, Frank :-)

ELSS Band

Thor Bonfig

Hilda Ross

Paul McIlvried

Central Avenue Public School  Choir

Debbie French

Debbie French and Gloria Jean Hansen

Audrey Austin

Kim Arnold

Goldie Luckey

Bernice Hennebury

VFJ High School Concert Band

Jewels of Harmony

Our Lady of Fatima School Choir

Kate Matuszewski

Shirley Green

Agnes Davis

Jurgen Braunohler

Tandem

Elliot Lake Bobcats

An interesting day at the mall -- delivery of a new dining set -- dogs prepare for Christmas and Happy Sweet Sixteen Dudley :-)

Anne Gagnon and I enjoyed our day at the mall.  Sales could have been better for both of us but on the other hand we are grateful that we both had sales.

Although my original intention was to buy a new desk I couldn't resist the good sale at Seidels and bought a new dinette suite instead.

I was very happy on my return home from the mall to have it delivered.

And who is ready for Christmas?

Mrs. Biggles and Mya...

And who is celebrating his 16th birthday today?

Sweet Sixteen, Dudley

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DUDLEY !!