Blogtography

Portraits for Authors at the Halifax Central Library

Mar 04, 2024

In January, I did a day of headshots with the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia. I thoroughly enjoy these events. I get to talk to writers in various stages of their careers, find out what's up next for them, share ideas, discover who's a Pantser and who's Planner... It fills me up. The Halifax Central Library's RBC Learning Centre has floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls. The natural light is marvellous, especially on a winter day when the outside temperatures aren't kind to the ...

Ann Connor Brimer Award

Jun 08, 2023

I'm trying to get some work done today but it's tricky when your brain is prancing about saying "WE WON." And when I say "we" I mean me, the writer, alongside my fictional characters (human and animal) and all the people that bring a book to its final form. If I could yank Dot Grey from the pages of the book, I'd have given her a big hug and asked her to type a hearty thank you to the audience using Morse code. She would have refused if I know Dot, but I think she'd be privately ...

One Mistake at a Time - Getting Used to Public Speaking

May 23, 2022

One Mistake at a Time - Getting Used to Public Speaking I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the launch of Decoding Dot Grey (held at the Mic Mac AAC on Lake Banook here in Dartmouth, NS). And that's a revelation for someone who would have put herself in the category of Petrified of Public Speaking before the launch of my first novel:Heart rate at a dangerous levelStrong buzz in the earsDry mouthThroat constrictingWishing for some kind of horrible accident to occur on my way ...

Getting the Word Out - Launching my Second Novel

Mar 11, 2022

Getting the Word Out OR Time to Strut My Stuff If Toby the crow (from Decoding Dot Grey) was real, I'm certain this is how he'd walk. I could learn a thing or two from him.It's almost time to launch Decoding Dot Grey. With Covid restrictions expected to loosen March 21st, one day before the official publishing date, there just might be a chance to do an in-person event. But there are no guarantees so I've been brainstorming about the best way to get the word out ...

Podcast Paradise / Podcast Purgatory

Mar 01, 2022

I have a...dependency. It used to be CBC. Don't worry my darling Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, you're still the first voice I hear in the morning. But the wide world of podcasts has overtaken me. It's intoxicating. I find things like author interviews, comedy, technology, psychology, science, arts and entertainment are available from all over the world. If I enjoy an obscure interview, I can probably find another on the same subject or with the same person on another podcast. You can get ...

5 Tips for Headshot Posing

Feb 28, 2022

It's fascinating how awkward we feel when we know we're being observed, even worse, recorded on camera. Suddenly our hands, so essential in daily activities, become useless flaps at the end of our arms. "What do I do with my hands?" people say, holding them out to me like they're things they'd like me to take from them and dispose of in the nearest bin. I know, I'm the same when a camera points at me. Really. I'm used to hiding on the other side. I forget everything when things are ...

The Lazy Third Book

Feb 28, 2022

You'd think the second book would have been the problem. After the excitement of the first, I might be a little intimidated, unsure if the second measured up. But, no. It's this third one that feels like a large boulder being pushed up a steep hill on a cold night after a few drinks in a Halifax pub. I wonder about it. Usually, it's at night when the bladder has ordered the march to the bathroom and I'm back in bed with cold feet and a wandering mind. The middle of the night is where ...

Pets and their People at Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia

Nov 04, 2021

In my last post about Author Headshots at the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia, I mentioned I chose that location specifically for its dog-friendly atmosphere. Possibly the best thing about visiting the office (for me) is having Toulouse come out and offer her belly for a rub. She's one of those dogs that smile with her whole body. You can't help but fall to your knees and speak in the most ridiculous of doggy voices. Or is that just me?Anyway. The idea for doing these ...

Author Headshots at WFNS

Nov 02, 2021

In October we held another headshot session for authors at the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia.The first time I did one of these I was ridiculously nervous at the prospect of shooting so many portraits back to back. Would the window light work for me or against me? Would I have enough time for each person? Would the backdrop of the room work for everyone? It went better than I could have hoped. And it turned out to be a great way to meet a lot of writers in my community. We're kind of ...

Getting Ready for Your Closeup

Apr 19, 2021

A photographer’s tips on prepping for headshots Being in front of a camera can feel daunting so I often send out a little checklist to clients ahead of time to help them plan. This is a more in-depth description. Some things will apply to you, some not, but I hope it helps!TEETHBrush and flossHave that coffee/tea AFTER your photos. It will undo your careful brushing and then there’s Murphy’s Law of spillage.If your teeth have stains and you’re worried about them in ...

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