Book Talk

I have a few events on the horizon, starting with today. I'll be signing copies of Cold Mourning at Brittons in the Glebe from one to three p.m. today.Linda Wiken, who used to own Prime Crime bookstore, stocks a wall of mysteries  that make for great Saturday browsing especially since coffee is available.

On Thursday, April 24 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., I'll be joining Barbara Fradkin, R.J. Harlick and Michael McCann on a panel called "What's in the Water?" (why so many crime writers in this Nation's Capital?) that will be moderated by C.B. Forrest with master of ceremonies Mary Jane Maffini - we'll be on the second floor of Rideau Chapters. This is a Crime Writers of Canada event, linked with other events across the country to announce the Arthur Ellis shortlist nominations. Other local authors are dropping in so this should be a very entertaining few hours if you are also able to drop by.

The last event I'll mention today is called Capital Mayhem and it  takes place Saturday, May 10 at the main branch of the Ottawa Public Library. It is a free day of author readings and panels with celebrity readers and special guest Peter Robinson. A homemade lunch is provided, also free. This event is jointly sponsored by Capital Crime Writers and the Ottawa Public Library and open to all.

So lots of opportunity to come out and meet authors, talk books and forget that the weather outside is frightful.

I wrote most of last weekend and then ran out of steam during the week. Actually, I spent three evenings reworking one page, trying to get the tone just right. It's quite an emotional scene that I was attempting to underwrite (my term) - say a lot in a few words and let the reader fill in the emotional bits from their imagination. My favourite example of this is a scene in Catcher in the Rye when Holden Caulfield says that he smashed out all the windows in the garage (going from memory here) after his brother died. The image so powerful and raw because he doesn't say how he felt but we all know that his brother's death has destroyed him. One image can give more emotional impact than passages of description.

I've been receiving some heart-warming feedback as people finish reading Cold Mourning and I thank each of you for taking the time to let me know your thoughts or for posting a comment on one of the book sites. I especially like the discussions I've had with different readers about the plot and characters. The consensus seems to be that Kala Stonechild is a complex but likeable main character. I reveal more about her as the books go along and am finding her fascinating too.

Well, I've got lots to do before I head out to Brittons in the Glebe this afternoon so I best get this day underway. I hope you can come by and spend some time this afternoon. Coffee, conversation and mysteries - sounds like a good way to while away a bit of the day.