Things that inspire me to write #95: Camilla Gibb

October 25, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

“ So, when are you going to start your Phd?” That was the first thing people asked me after I finished my master’s of education degree several years ago–and I never knew quite how to answer them. On the one hand, it almost seemed inevitable that I should continue on the path I had started and work towards a […]

Things that inspire me to write #96: 1000 awesome things blog

October 24, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

Reading Neil Pasricha’s blog about all the things he’s grateful for is definitely a smile-rising experience, but it’s the story of the blogs creation that captivates me most. According to a radio interview I heard on CBC with the author, Neil first set a goal of 1000 hits for his blog–and when he met that […]

Things that inspire me to write #97: Running

October 21, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

My legs are pumping, my feet are pounding and my heart is dancing in my chest like one of those dapper kids at the Robson square swing night. I don’t know exactly why or how–maybe it’s the faster than usual movement of blood or the sudden uptake of oxygen I can always think much clearer […]

Things that inspire me to write #98: How I live now

October 21, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

We have all read books that changed our lives, and for me one of those was Meg Rosoff’s How I live now, which made me first realize that there was more to Young Adult fiction than Sweet Valley High–and that I might just want to contribute to it. Yes, it is that excellent. Even now, several years later, […]

Things that inspire me to write #99: Margaret Atwood

October 20, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

There is nothing quite like reading a really good author to fuel one’s creative juices–however that’s not why I have included Mrs Atwood here. What I really find inspiring about the lady is her attitude. I saw her for the first time yesterday at the Vancouver Writer’s Festival and was impressed by her humor and humbleness. Despite her amazing […]

Things that inspire me to write #100: The Vancouver Writer’s Fest #writersfest

October 20, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

Could there be a better way to kick off my Mental Gatorade challenge than spending the day at the Vancouver Writer’s festival? What I love about this festival is the opportunity to hear authors and publisher talk about writing like it matters, like it means something–like when I am sitting alone at my computer I […]

Mental gatorade: 100 things that inspire me to write

October 19, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Writing is hard: the rejection part, the critique part, and just the sitting down to do it part (especially when you have experienced a lot of the first two) Since completing my latest novel manuscript I have been finding it especially difficult to get back at it. Which brings me to this: a daily challenge to list […]