Successful Book Signing

Last Saturday's book signing went very well. This is what the press wrote: http://www.emcottawawest.ca/20110331/news/Author+chronicles+extraorinary+Canadians

Family Treasures

We all have them. Those treasured items that have been passed down from one generation to the next. It might be a painting, a vase, a teapot. These items have stories, tales that connect the item to the family, tales that trace the connection to yourself. These family stories need to be written down, saved for future generations to appreciate, for the next owner of the treasured item to remember the family connection.

Family Photos/Family Stories

People don't realize how many stories are locked inside family photographs. I recently unearthed a family photo album from the late 1800s. What a find! It was in excellent condition. Each photo was clearly labelled with a name: Aunt Molly, Grandma so-and-so, Uncle somebody; but where they fit in the family tree, I have no idea. The photos are fascinating. I just wish I knew who these people were. It has given me new resolve to go through my own albums and clearly label people with full names so that 150 years from now, someone isn't wondering who is Aunt Molly and how she is related. There is a story in each one of those photos. Once I do my genealogical search on the names and sort out the question of who's-who, perhaps I'll create my own stories about these serious-looking people.

Autumn

Join your favourite author of "Autumn", (Emily-Jane Hills Orford) for a full day of dialogue, February 25, 2011, at AUTHORS AT THE VIRTUAL PARK.


http://authorsatthevirtual/ park.blogspot.com/

When the World Goes Crazy, Watch your Dog.

Dog's are not just man/woman's best friend, they are a constant source of amusement. My new puppy, Duke, loves to run around carefree in the backyard, back and forth, faster and faster. When I'm stressed or annoyed, I find just watching his antics relaxes me and I can even find a laugh or two. A big bear hug from Duke also comes in handy.

Journalling One's Daily Life

I can't stress enough the importance of keeping a daily journal. Every seemingly trivial information about a person's life is important and should be recorded. For the writer, this is essential. Writers never know when somewhere down the road something that happened today might be important as a clue, a setting, a plot for that great story we all want to write. So, writers and everyone else, too, start that journal and write something every day.

What is Your Earliest Childhood Memory?

I try to think back, over the years, and put together memories from my childhood. I was always amazed at my grandmother's ability to remember the minutest detail of things that happened all throughout her life. There are some years I can't remember a thing. Perhaps it's the fact that previous generations would spend good quality family time reminiscing tales of times past. Now, we're all too busy to talk about our childhood, let alone anything else. What a shame, really, when you think about it! That means a lot of lost stories. Life is, after all, a story waiting to be told.