Women’s Adventure Fiction Novel Recommendations

Women’s Adventure Fiction Novel Recommendations

I will be publishing my first book within the next few months. Currently, the manuscript is finished and I am doing my second round of personal editing. Then, I will be getting beta readers to critique my work, then a developmental story editor and then a line (grammar/spelling) editor. With my own edits based on their suggestions between each step. Just because a book is written does not mean it is ready. Numerous substantial steps are involved in creating a…

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Do you have crazy friends? Mine ran 100km!

Do you have crazy friends? Mine ran 100km!

My very good friend, Monica, has been running long distances for years. The entire time I’ve known her she has been running. She and I ran our very first marathon together in 2014. That marathon turned Monica into a marathon machine, she’s run 12 more marathon races since then. She has qualified for the Boston Marathon three times. She ran it in person in 2018 and ran the virtual one in 2020 with me along on my bicycle. Last summer,…

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Writing a Novel – First Draft Complete

Writing a Novel – First Draft Complete

I have completed the first draft of my novel. I actually typed THE END. It is a surreal feeling. The desire to write a book has been ever present in my life. Like a shadow. Always there but never within grasp. Now it is. The first draft of my first ever novel is complete. Since I have decided to become an independent author/publisher, I have been filled with a fever to get it done and get it published. Working on…

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Tapping Maple Trees: A Canadian Right of Passage

Tapping Maple Trees: A Canadian Right of Passage

I was born in Canada and have spent my entire life here. But this passed weekend, I participated in a true Canadian right of passage. I tapped my very first maple tree. Growing up, my fiancé Frank, used to tap maple trees and boil the sap into maple syrup with his dad. As an adult, the seasonal routine had fallen by the wayside. Last week was March Break here for our kids. Last year, we took a family road trip…

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My Sister’s First Mountain

My Sister’s First Mountain

I have been climbing mountains for seven years now. I’ve hiked 25 of the 4000 Footers in New Hampshire, USA and I’ve hiked many of our local mountains here in Quebec, Canada. I love being out in the woods, pushing my body and my mind to finish the hike, to summit, see the views and conquer another mountain. I’ve shared my photos on social media often over the years and my sister, Corinne, has always been interested in trying but…

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Winter Cycling: Adventures with a new sport

Winter Cycling: Adventures with a new sport

I love being outdoors. I crave fresh air and nature the way other people crave shopping sprees. I’ve spent most of this year weight training in the gym and at home once the gyms closed. I enjoy lifting weights and building muscle. But I have missed my regular outdoor exercise. I run once or twice a week but last summer I started cycling with my friend, Monica, as she ran. She runs ultramarathon distances for fun. My kind of crazy…

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Writing a Novel: From Dream to Plan

Writing a Novel: From Dream to Plan

As with most writers, I have had the dream of becoming an author since I was eight years old and finished reading my first chapter book. The magic of words on a page transforming into an entirely new universe was astounding to me. Reading still has that effect. When you see beyond the black and white lettering and fall whole heartedly into a story created entirely in writer’s mind, there is magic in that. I want to wield magic. The…

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