Tag Archives: Montreal

The Gossip in Montréal

Posted on by
Reply
Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto, on the cover of NME (photo via The Gossip on MySpace)

Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto, on the cover of NME (photo via The Gossip on MySpace)

The Gossip are in town tomorrow night (October 13), and tickets are an unbelievable $20! I have no idea if any are actually still available, as the Admission.com website doesn’t seem to want to sell me any (stupid technology), but that doesn’t mean you can’t snag a few at the door (also for only $20).

Also important to note: The show has apparently been rescheduled from its original venue, Sala Rossa, and is now happening at Le National (1220 St-Catherine East) instead, to accommodate the overwhelming demand.

Um, duh! The Gossip are FRIGGIN’ HUGE, yo. Who the hell booked ‘em at teeny Sala Rossa to begin with, anyway?

At any rate, my birthday’s on Wednesday and I figure it’s as good a time as any to embrace my inner party animal, get out there and dance. Oh, and force my entourage to buy me early-birthday drinks, of course.

In honour of Beth Ditto’s amazing voice and fuck-you attitude, I offer you this tabloid-esque haiku:

The Gossip in town:
dimestore diamond in the rough
proclaims “Kiss my ass!“

On entering the 3-Day Novel Writing Contest

Posted on by
Reply

Laura3DNSince it’s already turning into a crazy time in my life, and because I hadn’t realized Labor Day was popping up so soon (i.e. this weekend), I’ve decided to do something totally insane: I am entering the 3-Day Novel Writing Contest.

That’s right: I’m going to write an entire novel in only 3 days. Some say it can’t be done. Others have tried and failed. Still others have paid their 50 bones, entered the official contest, mailed in their manuscripts and WON.

I’m not doing this for shits and giggles, people. I’m doing this to WIN. It’s the 30th anniversary, if their first contest was indeed held in 1979. I’m 30. It’s the end of the summer, and I’ve got everything to prove. The stars are aligned. It’s do or die.

Who’s with me?

P.S. Props to my ol’ pal, Abbie Norml, for prompting me to consider this insane mission, as I do every year. This time, it’s on.

P.P.S. If you live in Montréal and want to enter the contest for cheaper than 50 bones, email me quick like a bunny (the deadline is this Friday) and we can form a group!

P.P.P.S. If you aren’t already following me on Twitter, and want to check in on my progress this weekend, you should follow me on Twitter here.

Some new writing

Posted on by
Reply

notebook1As mentioned in my last post, I’m going to have some of my erotic short stories appearing monthly at Oysters & Chocolate, which is awesome. Since it’s been a while since I updated my list of writing credits, here’s what I’ve been up to lately:

  • I’m the new Montréal Maven over at GiftedTravel.com, and have been writing weekly articles for this site on one of my favourite subjects: Montréal! My first post (“Budget style in Montréal”) was about eco-friendly shopping in the city, while my second (“The Best Coffee in Montréal”) was a round-up of some of my favourite cafés, by neighbourhood. Coming up this week: Used Bookstores in Montréal.
  • A piece I submitted to The Writer Within newsletter, entitled “From a Writing Degree to a Writing Career,” is currently available online, for those who may be wondering how to get started on their writing careers after finishing university. I think I would like to write more articles on the subject, since I do get questions from people wondering how to get started freelancing, but since I am still fairly new to freelancing myself, I always wonder if I have enough helpful advice to share! After all, a lot of the time, I find it’s just a matter of luck, or being in the right place at the right time. You need to do your homework, too, but it can be hard to tell why something works in one place and not in another.
  • I’m also still chipping away at my book proposal for my sexy Montréal guidebook, and hope to put that in the mail by the end of this week. I’ve got some good stuff written, but I want to be sure to send the stuff that’ll really wow an editor, so I’m trying to make sure it’s all gold.
  • Finally, I’m hoping to finish up a short story today that I’ve been wrestling with for the past few months. I’d like to get that off my hard drive and into some editors’ laps, and if I can manage to get that ready to go to the post office (or virtual inboxes) by tomorrow, that’d be great. I’ve had a lot of help and great feedback on it from my writing buddy, Jimmy Callaway, so I thought I’d give him a shout-out and link to his blog so you can enjoy a bit of his writing as well. Maybe it’ll encourage him to actually update it a little more often! ;)

So that’s the round-up for me. What have you been up to? Any joys, successes or news from your own writing desks?