Search Results for: writers

TUCKER: On the responsibilities of a self-publisher

The responsibilities behind self-publishing go beyond just writing a polished and refined manuscript. Proper, professional and quality editing must be considered as important as the writing itself.

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COMMENTS re the USA 2020 election

We are completely opposed to Trump in every legal and peaceful way possible but as we believe in  freedom of expression, we post views comments and opinions from both sides. [We reserve the right to reject opinions which may be … Continue reading

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GRAMMARLY: the paring knife in a writer’s kitchen

Just as a good chef has a favourite knife, usually a cousin of the ubiquitous paring knife, a good writer should have ‘Grammarly‘ in their kitchen drawer.

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EDITORIAL: PRINT MEDIA NEEDS SUPPORT

We read the Toronto Star, unapologetically. We don’t defend it. Rather we commend it. Let it fights its own battles, against those who criticize it for being too this, too that, too left, too right, too liberal, too conservative, whatever. … Continue reading

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I KNOW A SECRET, Tess Gerritsen

I KNOW A SECRET, Tess Gerritsen Synopsis: In the twelfth gripping novel featuring Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles, the crime-solving duo—featured in the smash-hit TNT series Rizzoli & Isles—are faced with the gruesomely staged murder of a horror film producer. … Continue reading

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INNOCENT, David Baldacci

Baldacci never fails to deliver an entertaining, well-written crime story. The Innocent delivers very well. However, Baldacci may be beginning to fade.

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Ronald Reagan said…

Ronald Reagan may have had the best writers of any president. 

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June 15 – Confirmed…Rotzy’s a lightweight !

Some of us are heavyweights workin’ on lightening up. Others are lightweights who’d like to step up a level.

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GRAMMAR rules – do you break them?

To rrrr is not human but we all make mistakes. Grammar mistakes are the effluence of poor writers.

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The SZPINNER JUNE 2020 NEWSLETTER

Dear site Visitor, We hope you and your family are doing well during these surreal times. Usually, we see all these things that are happening around us only in the movies. Unfortunately, now we are the movie. Walking ‘Fermo-the-Scottie’ nightly, … Continue reading

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LINK to WEBSITE

Lucy is a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada. She has published short stories in Ireland, the UK, the United States and Canada. Black is also the author of a collection of short fiction, The Marzipan Fruit Basket (Inanna … Continue reading

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Hook Your Readers and Reel ’em in

When I wanted to write an essay about my difficult relationship with my brother I had to figure out a way to make it interesting to other people so I turned to these 10 elements to keep the story rolling.

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Publishers brace for another big hit

Book publishing is a challenge at the best of times. With the onslaught of COVID-19, it has cause even more problems. Book publishers suffer as sales of printed material wanes. Book publishers, authors, libraries and book clubs need to sit … Continue reading

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Editing services

Self-editing can be a problem for writers because they are so closely bound to their work.

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Contests for self published authors

Self-published writers may find this contest a worthwhile consideration. Good luck to all entrants.

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Every writer could use these in their toolbox

A writer should have a toolbox for that little bit of assistance that is needed from time to time.

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PRODUCTIVITY: GOOGLE Chrome EXTENSIONS: valuable tools

Chrome extensions are little program applets that add more capability to your Chrome browser and related apps than you would have normally.

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Please help us update our subscriber list

Dear COOKz, BOOKz & NOOKz site visitor, Please help us update our mailing list When I started publishing this website many years ago, there were no laws/regulations about spam, emailing and Internet confidentiality. I created my subscriber list via personal … Continue reading

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LAST MILE, David Baldacci

It may not be Baldacci’s best but even at his most mediocre, Baldacci kicks literary field goals with minimal effort. The Last Mile is an acceptable read for a Baldacci creation, better than most other writers by far but not … Continue reading

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2020 – A town hoping no one else discovers it

In 1985, Hollywood star and director, Ron Howard, directed a film called ‘Cocoon.’ Its storyline: a group of aliens return to earth to retrieve cocoons containing the people they’d left behind from an earlier trip. These cocoons had been resting … Continue reading

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Be a “joiner,” not a loner.

As a writer you should join… a book club an association a social group …any group of people, to get ideas, for motivation and for inspiration. WRITERS should join writer associations as found on the NADA site at: WRITER ASSOCIATIONS … Continue reading

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Writing Articles

Unleash your writing potential now with Writer’s Digest writing articles. Here, you can learn everything you need to know about virtually any writing topic and genre. Whether it’s fiction writing, how to write an article, getting published, promoting your work and much, much more. Learn from … Continue reading

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Creative writing prompts

Need an idea to help you get started writing? You’ll find hundreds of fun writing prompts here – perfect for beginning a new novel or short story, or simply giving your writing muscle a workout. Click the link to view the writing … Continue reading

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ASSOCIATIONS – stop working alone

Your writing can be improved but you need to get out of your tower of literary isolation.

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EDITING – Some considerations about editing costs

Editing is a crucial process to publishing a piece of writing. No matter whether an email, a letter, a short story or a novel, the writer must polish the work before publishing it.

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Imagine the stress in being a teacher of ENGLISH

Those who teach English to newcomers to Canada must suffer a lot of stress. Just consider…. We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,  But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.  One fowl is a goose, but two … Continue reading

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EDITING – 10 Tips for SELF EDITING

Here are 10 tips for SELF EDITING… Site link:  SELF EDITING Source: www.suncoastwriters.comAuthor: Camille Cline

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EDITING – Out of date; out of touch! Edit efficiently and effectively.

The old ways of editing may have been easy but they just aren’t the way in the electronic era. Today, many writers use electronic tools to write their material, wordprocessing programs such as WORD, TEXTMAKER,  LIBRE OFFICE and NEAT OFFICE. … Continue reading

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EDITING – hire a professional

Professional editors cost money. Learn how you can save money.

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Aug 12 – mid-summer, mental meandering

It’s summer. So wandering around mentally is acceptable and Rotzy’s wandered around a few topics.

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LOITERING WITH INTENT, Stuart Woods

LOITERING WITH INTENT, Stuart Woods Synopsis The newest addition to the “New York Times”- bestselling Stone Barrington series. Dumped by his glamorous Russian girlfriend during dinner at Elaine’s, and running low on cash, Stone Barrington is having a bad week. … Continue reading

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LONG ROAD TO MERCY, D. Baldacci

Another winner from David Baldacci.

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Slow ageing, live younger

You cannot stop ageing but science is working hard at keep you younger longer.

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Writing my memoirs

Writing my memoirs, a new challenge I have undertaken.

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MAD HONEY, J. Picoult, J.F. Boylan

A sweeeeet read!

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MISSION STATEMENT

A NEW LIFE Mission statement: I am going to develop a new lifestyle based on more regulation in my life. Acknowledgment: The time has come, time for a lifestyle change. Maybe it’s recognition of mortality, maybe it’s fear of traumatic disability; maybe … Continue reading

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Feliz Navidad, Feliz año nuevo

Grey Quills is an association of writers, adults 55+, who contribute regularly to ‘Cookz, Bookz, and NookZ,’ a website dedicated to assisting and informing seniors. Each of these vibrant and dynamic seniors is a dedicated and actively involved member of … Continue reading

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Ageism never gets old ( a 10 min read )

The prejudice is an ancient habit, but new forces—in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and beyond—have restored its youthful vitality. By Tad Friend We tend to caricature the elderly as either raddled wretches or cuddly Yodas. Illustration by Golden Cosmos Early in … Continue reading

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EDITORIAL: PRINTED NEWS must be supported . . . why?

Recognize that ribbon? Know what it symbolizes? If you read newspapers, you might; if your source of news primarily is FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and TWITTER, you likely won’t.

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MURDER in the WHITE HOUSE, Margaret Truman

Yes, Harry Truman,the 33rd president of the United States was her father. Like her father, she was born in Independence, Missouri, in 1923, and pursued a career as a singer. She must have been borderline good, but on the wrong … Continue reading

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ORIGIN, Dan Brown

 Some people love him, some hate em. I suspect the haters come from the green camp of ‘envy.’ The latest opus from Dan Brown will have you grabbing for your iPad, smartphone or tablet repeatedly.

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PARIS WIFE, Paula McLain

Paula McLain writes well. I think my review may be more of a bit more of a rant rather than a review because I am becoming resentful of writers who exploit famous persons for their own profit and benefit. Hemingway … Continue reading

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Website disclaimer

Website DISCLAIMER The purpose of our website is to inform and/or assist older adults. In the course of its publication, comments and opinions may be published which may unintentionally offend someone. These comments and opinions are created by the site … Continue reading

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Toronto squirrel population harvesting more nuts

Toronto the good? Hog town? World class city? Old sobriquets for the city which now need to be changed: Nut town, squirrelly city, NY2, Detroit+. Not to cast aspersions on the USA but remember when “Gun city” applied to American … Continue reading

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May 7

 Rotzy dishes it out…again. About Dr. Suzuki, walleye fishermen donations to his freezer, and his cole slaw. Even the NHL takes a lickin’ I think. We’re all dying to try out his northern famed slaw now!

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APRIL 16

The GTA is being hit by “April showers” from the NORTH POLE…and it is crippling us. The northerners in Ontario are laughing at us…and talking about ‘Spaghetti suppers!’

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Democracy threatened…repeatedly and globally

When Trump was elected, we warned that democracy was threatened by this pseudo-politician. Today, his right-wing populism is metastasizing all over the world.

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RAZOR GIRL, Carl Hiassen

Hilarious crime fiction, Mickey Spillane channels Jerry Seinfeld.

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RECKONING, John Grisham

Every author eventually dreams of channelling of Harper Lee and creating a comparable classic to her incomparable one, To Kill A Mockingbird. Grisham comes closer than any author I have read.

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ROGUE LAWYER, John Grisham

Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham The synopsis (Source: GoodReads) On the right side of the law. Sort of. Sebastian Rudd is not your typical street lawyer. He works out of a customized bulletproof van, complete with Wi-Fi, a bar, a … Continue reading

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Moses had 5 more commandments…for TABLETS !

Moses had 10 commandments for living. But he also had 5 more people don’t know about. Email is very commonly used now days and all too often, we receive email from someone who has no knowledge of Moses’ other 5 commandements. … Continue reading

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Another great writer enters our fold in 2018

We are fortunate to find writers worth their weight in gold and our latest treasure is Bob Rotz.

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SECRET KEEPER of JAIPUR, Alka Joshi

THE SECRET KEEPER OF JAIPUR Alka Joshi Synopsis It’s the spring of 1969, and Lakshmi, now married to Dr. Jay Kumar, directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Malik has finished his private school education. At twenty, he has just met … Continue reading

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Sittin’ on our asses…true !

Our writers are never sitting on their asses, well almost none. All of our writers are involved in working for the community, from organizing food drives to bringing needed school supplies to third world communities. Read about Todd’s impressions about … Continue reading

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Navigating our Website

To help visitors navigate the website, the website MENUS used on the site are displayed below under their respective TOPICS. Each TOPIC can be found on the BLACK Menu Bar located near the top of the HOME page or opening screen … Continue reading

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Issue 1-2, October, 2017

Vol 1, Issue 2 George Ashe Library Book Club October, 2017

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EVA’s BIO

We welcome Éva Henn as our newest addition to our regular contributors writing staff. Éva is a retired teacher with a large family: husband, 2 married adult sons with their own children which makes Eva a very happy and active … Continue reading

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SIR JOHN JAMES TAYLOR – DE FACTO RULER OF IRELAND, Richard R. Pyves

Sir John James Taylor De Facto Ruler of Ireland by Richard R. Pyves Chronicles the incredible story of the author’s great-grand-uncle, Sir John James Taylor, Assistant Under-Secretary of Ireland who was the de facto ruler of Ireland from 1918 – … Continue reading

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Fallis writes another enjoyable read

Books are piling up on the staircase like on a shelf at the local library. I read and read and as soon as finish one, there’s another waiting to be read. Now, if I only could learn to read while … Continue reading

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AGEISM means seniors are treated as a second class citizen?

We have written about AGEISM before. Ageism is where an older adult is treated as a less important individual in the marketplace. Does the younger person beside you seem to get priority or better attention than you do? Do you feel that … Continue reading

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Erma’s bio

We welcome Erma Washington as a unique addition to our site writers. Erma is an inspiring professional working with families in community and social services where she counsels and links clients to community support services to assist individuals and families … Continue reading

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GREY QUILLS:

HOME Grey Quills… some of our associated writers are no longer contributing as frequently and as regularly as they once did. Time, age, health issues and life affect all of us, sometimes adversely but we go on as best we … Continue reading

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The TESTAMENT, John Grisham

The Testament, John Grisham At times the book bogs down in detail and depth, but it becomes a worthwhile read with its logical and justifiable conclusion. Synopsis In a plush Virginia office, a rich, angry old man is furiously rewriting … Continue reading

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Oldest person in the world

The oldest person in the world: a woman and Italian. Sadly, she passed away April, 2017

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The OUTSIZED LIFE OF MUHAMMAD ALI

by David Remnick The New Yorker What a loss to suffer, even if for years you knew it was coming. Muhammad Ali, who died Friday, in Phoenix, at the age of seventy-four, was the most fantastical American figure of his … Continue reading

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PICKERING NUCLEAR’S DETRACTORS: Shut it down

TORSTAR Letters to the editor call for shut down of PICKERING NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT . In the last couple of months, the Star publishes two four-page pro-nuclear ads, then allows Mr. Jack Gibbons (Ontario Clean Air Alliance) a column to say “Too much … Continue reading

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HUNGARY BOUND ? Budapest Theatre – a must visit site !

Theatre and the Arts are alive and well in Budapest. Budapest’s city centre twinkles with jewels of theatrical gems – focused on different aspects of the arts – National Opera House ( and Ballet) The Comedy Theatre, Erkel Ference Theatre, National … Continue reading

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TRACE ELEMENT, Donna Leon

Another in her series of Commissario Guido Brunetti sleuthing stories set in the Venetian environs….age takes the edge of every one of us, older writers as well.

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“LIVE LIFE”…AS WRITTEN BY A COMPUTER GEEK

Being A Developer After 40 (This is the talk I have given at App Builders Switzerland on April 25th, 2016. The slides are available on SpeakerDeck and at the bottom of this article.) Adrian Kosmaczewski, programmer Hi everyone, I am … Continue reading

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BOOKz

HOME I read a lot. My favourite authors are: David BALDACCI, Lee CHILD, Robin COOK, John GRISHAM and DONNA LEON. I put LEON at the end because she is in a separate category of writers for me. She writes about Venice, … Continue reading

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WALK THE WIRE, David Baldacci

Amos Decker — the FBI consultant with a perfect memory — returns to solve a gruesome murder in a booming North Dakota oil town in the newest thriller in David Baldacci’s #1 New York Times bestselling Memory Man series.

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WHISTLER, John Grisham

Best-selling authors taking too many shortcuts ? Could authors be cutting corners on their best efforts…

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WHY BE HAPPY WHEN YOU COULD BE NORMAL?

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson Why Be Happy…is a memoir written by a young woman, likely over a number of years. Jeanette writes about a mismatched life: her real life is a mismatch to … Continue reading

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Terry Fallis in the flesh…great fellow, terrific writer!

On Monday, I attended my first “meet the author” book signing at the Bram and Bluma Appel Salon in the Toronto Public Library. I met my favourite Canadian author, Terry Fallis, author of a number of books, the first and … Continue reading

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Thoughts about the English Language according to George Carlin. We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,.               but the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes;             … Continue reading

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EDITORIALS: Public libraries: they ain’t what they used to be !

Libraries in the past were invariably located in the oldest building in the city. My guess is that city councillors of that era would give libraries the most aged property the city owned free of charge. Likely their view was … Continue reading

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