• ponder an historical series,
• try out a new biz concept,
• get dirty in the jardin,
• spin along our rural bike trails and…
• indulge in fudge, bien sur!

Enjoy your summer. You can still check out my previous posts, especially if you’re interested in:

• how to write a mystery novel
• my garden
• podcast interviews with published authors
• self-publishing your ebook
• my novels.

Cheers!

The Novel Experience podcast is now available via Digital Podcast.

Check it out at The Novel Experience.

The Novel Experience Podcast

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing.

Novel Experience Podcast

No fluff, no filth, just fun, fascinating and fruitful discussions with authors, editors, booksellers, publishers and agents to help you fulfill your writing career. Your comments, guest suggestions and topic ideas are welcome.

Episode 15: Bloody Words Mystery Conference, June 3-5, Victoria, BC

Today, I interview Kay Stewart, published mystery author and co-chair of Canada’s largest mystery conference, being held in Victoria, British Columbia this June. (click link above or below).

Discover Kay’s embarrassing writing secret (I’m amazed and impressed that she revealed it), add her excellent tips to your writer’s toolkit, learn how she successfully collaborated on a mystery novel with her husband, find out about Bloody Words and why she’s desperately seeking a coffin maker before June! (duration ~ 38 minutes)

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 15 – Kay Stewart

Also, hear our title track, Devil in the Details by Glynne Turner.

Something new and very cool is in the wind.

So this blog is now on hiatus, though The Novel Experience podcasts may continue.

Thanks for your past support. Of course, you may still read my old posts (over 150 of ‘em!) and listen to my published podcasts.

And no…I can’t tell what it’s about.

At least, not yet.

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 14: From Words to Print

Today, I complete my three-part chat with publisher, editor and visual artist Clare Thorbes (click link above or below).

Clare brings a diverse perspective to the writing/publishing business, being a professional editor and former co-owner of Salal Press, a boutique publishing company during the nineties.

Listen to discover what challenges Clare encountered and surmounted as a small publishing house, learn what she would do differently if she were entering publishing today and find out she thinks makes an ideal manuscript. (duration ~ 18 minutes)

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 14 – Clare Thorbes

This episode’s music track is the rockin’ instrumental Don’t Give Up, by Glynne Turner.

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 13: From Words to Print

Today, I continue my three-part chat with publisher, editor and visual artist Clare Thorbes (click link above or below).

Clare brings a diverse perspective to the writing/publishing business, being a professional editor and former co-owner of Salal Press, a boutique publishing company during the nineties.

Listen to discover the inside scoop on what a small publishing house looks for in a manuscript. Also, ever wondered what is meant by “finding your voice”? Don’t despair; using the visual arts as a comparison, Clare’s explanation is simple and clear and soon you and your “authorial voice” will be one. (duration ~ 15 minutes)

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 13 – Clare Thorbes 2

This episode’s music track is a demo of a very touching song, A Better Man, by Glynne Turner.

Find out more about Clare’s editing services and her art by emailing her at thorbesedit (at) gmail (dot) com.

The Novel Experience Podcast

Yeah, I know. Probably piddly stats for many podcasts but nonetheless, I’m pleased.

Got 10 episodes ‘in the can’ and plan many more this year but could use your help.

If you’re already at TNX fan, thank you, stay tuned and please consider letting your writer friends in on the Experience!

If you haven’t heard TNX yet and you’re interested in improving your writing and chances of getting published, please give The Novel Experience a whirl.

Think you’ll be pleased. I’ve interviewed a variety of published authors. Picked up practical suggestions on thriller writing from best-seller Chevy Stevens, learned some fab insight on screen writing from award-winner Don Truckey and dug deep into character development with best-seller and funny gal Denise Dietz.

And that’s just a few helpful tidbits, plus you’re missing the helpful excerpts from my how-to write a mystery primer, Youdunit Whodunit!…so what’re you waiting for?

Welcome to The Novel Experience®, the podcast dedicated to the craft and art of fiction writing. Listen, enjoy and improve your chances of getting published!

The Novel Experience Podcast

Episode 11: From Screen to Page Part 3

I’m pleased to announce the release of the last episode of my three-part conversation with award-winning Canadian screenwriter and children’s author, Don Truckey (click link above or below).

Don, whose credits include the television series, Street Legal and Urban Angel, and the movies, Net Worth and Chicks with Sticks, discusses the differences in the crafts of writing prose and penning a screenplay. He’s also the author of the children’s series, The Adventures of Caraway Kim.

Don and I worked together on some TV pitches and scripts; he’s funny, talented, quick thinking and very professional. Plus, he wrote a movie about women’s hockey!

If you’ve ever thought of writing a screenplay or adapting a novel to the screen, you’re gonna want to listen to this episode as Don offers practical tips to help you fine tune your blockbuster, provides nifty insights into the screenwriting world and gives us a taste of his new script. (duration ~20 minutes)

The Novel Experience Podcast Ep. 11 – Don Truckey 3

This episode’s showcase song by Glynne Turner, a lovely story aptly titled Our Children, resonates our children’s theme.

Click below to discover more about The Adventures of Caraway Kim by Don Truckey:

Last year at this time, I created my own little awards, The Nikis, to honour the best of 2009.

So, continuing this tradition, I’ve nominated a new top ten for 2010.

My categories are mostly related to creative endeavours, are arbitrarily chosen and listed in no particular order.

So, drum roll, please; a Niki nod to each of the following:

1. Top Technology of the Year: E-readers

2. Top Multimedia Company of the Year: enkHouse Transmedia Storytellers

3. Top Cool Thing of the Year: iPad

4. Top Food of the Year: my sister’s Microwavable Chocolate Fudge

5. Top Song of the Year: Missing by Glynne Turner

6. Top Plant of the Year: My Phyllostachus Vivax Bamboo

My Vivax Bamboo

7. Top Radio Play of the Year: BBC Radio 4 Short Story Contest

8. Top Photo of the Year: Our new Yorkshire pup, Geordie

Our new pup, Geordie

9. Top E-Book Publisher/Distributor of the Year: Smashwords

10. Top Fun New Effort of the Year: The Novel Experience Podcast

So…what’re your top ten?

It’s been terrific: fabulous interviewees offering fascinating tales and wonderful writing tips. Am looking forward to more in 2011.

As the year draws to a close, I’ve been pondering what I’ve learned and heard and have come up with the following two-steps to a successful life:

Find something you LOVE.

Learn to do it WELL.

And…you’re on you way to being HAPPY!

Glynne Turner & Nicola Furlong celebrating Their Quillr Multimedia E-book

So…what’re you waiting for?