We were so pleased to have you and Douglas in London last week. There has been a flurry of emails and comments and happy people connecting ever since. Thanks so much for coming, Terry.
Terry, thank you for the generosity of your Substack posts, and the great effort you put into fleshing them out with interesting bits of information about your writing process, persons in your writing world, pictures of events that you attend. It gives me such a glimpse into 'a world' I am curious about. I appreciate seeing, how you are create your writerly existence . I am especially impressed by the energy and consistent commitment you put forth to keep a pace of aliveness going in all of it, including driving miles and miles (still sounds better than 'kilometres and kilometres') to connect with people in the flesh in diverse locations and venues. Bravo! You touch so many lives.
Is it ever a stretch to balance out the in-person writer events and teaching, live and screen, with enough time holed up on your third floor? Do you manage all the details of events yourself - phone calls, planning, etc?
Congratulations on two years running, Terry! Thanks for inspiring us.
Thank you, Beverley. I think I’ve somehow managed to strike the right balance. It is busy but I do believe strongly that saying “yes” to invitations to speak builds a network of supporters across the province and the country. It particularly helps around the launch of a new novel. Many of those people who have seen me speak in their community pre-order the new novel. And that really kickstarts sales and so far has pushed every new novel onto the bestsellers lists. The fact that I actually enjoy nearly every aspect of the writing life makes it easier to drive two hours, visit with a local book club, and then drive two hours home again. Hope you’re still writing. Take care.
Congrats on the 2-year milestone and upward trajectory of readers. Thank you, as always, for your update. It's exciting to see your progress on The Marionette and to get a sneak peak. It's interesting how you balance working on it while also promoting A New Season. I look forward to your talk this Friday in Gravenhurst.
Honestly, Terry, what do you do in your “spare” time? Sheesh! You certainly don’t let much dust settle.
Thanks for sharing images of your bullet point process, the word count sheet (an intriguing way to stay on track), and a sneak peek at the rough draft of the opening (great hook).
Rest assured, receiving a notification that you have posted a new substack (stack?) is always welcome. Congrats on two years, here’s to many more!
I was thinking about you last night. It was the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop's annual LitFest, an event that you've graciously guested and keynoted before. This year, we had a theme: plotters vs. pantsers. The idea is that the two co-MCs, Jean E Pendziwol and myself, would duke it out to see whether planning or pantsing was the way to go. (As you likely guessed, I represented the pansters...) The schtick seemed to go over well -- nobody ducked out at the end, avoiding eye contact, so I took that to be a good sign. I'm not sure we came to any firm conclusions, but then that wasn't really the point.
In any case, I know we've had this conversation before a couple of times when you've been here. It's an interesting coincidence to read your post this morning, and it made me chuckle.
Although I've always played up the "Go Pantsers!" thing for humour, truth is that I believe every writer should do what works for them. There are clear advantages to planning, and it's something I've tried before. Never took, though. Which is why, I guess, I'm a *confirmed* pantser, for better or for worse.
In any case, I'm really glad to hear your new book is coming along so well! Such a great feeling, to get into that groove and tell the story!
Whenever I give outlining workshops I always start by saying that I'm not telling them they should outline. No writer should tell any other writer how they should write. Then I proceed to share my approach to outlining and why it works for me. I actually think our first jobs as writers is to figure how we write best. I feel lucky that I seemed to have stumble upon the method that works best for me right out of the gate. So I encourage writers who are struggling with their work to experiment with different approaches until they discover the method that works best for them. I never disparage the pantser approach as some of our finest writers are hardcore pantsers. Hope you're well, Graham.
Yes, that was also a topic that came up during LitFest this year: giving advice. I agree 100% with you that every writer has to find what works for them. I try to give tips as, "Hey, this is something that worked for me (or someone else); maybe it will work for you, too!" kind of thing. So yeah, planning, pantsing -- whatever works for you.
But I admit, I looove getting into some shenanigans that pit pantsers and planners against each other in good fun!
Your literary brand symbol is perfect - yes thank your parents! Still have A new Season on my pile to read. Do you plan any book talks in Niagara on the Lake? Wd you be interested in popping into our bookclub fir few minutes in the Fall for this novel in Leaside?
H Terry, In Leaside, my sis & I were at LHS when you were there. That would be lovely. Just having planning meeting next month, so will let you know date we plan for in a few weeks If it’s convenient for you.
Hey, that’s me! So great to get to chat with you. And people keep telling me how much they enjoyed it. All your books are circulating rapidly! Can’t wait for the next one.
Always enjoy your post with my Sunday morning coffee….great way to start the day! Thank you and keep them coming. Looking forward to your new novel now that you have given us a sneak preview.
Good lord, I'm SO late to the party! I read "The Best Laid Plans" and loved it; "Albatross" has been on my shelf, unread, for a couple of months — and as soon as I've finished Geddy Lee's weighty autobiography and Joe Boyd's book about pop music in the '60s, I promise I'll get to yours! I'm happy indeed to be a new subscriber!
As I have read all your novels, I’m looking forward to this one too - though it’s sounding pretty frightening. I’m trusting that you will hold true to form and give a happy ending😊.
Can’t wait to see how you infuse your usual humour into this tale.
Please don’t ever stop writing, Terry, either books or your substack. We are with you! 💜
We were so pleased to have you and Douglas in London last week. There has been a flurry of emails and comments and happy people connecting ever since. Thanks so much for coming, Terry.
Terry, thank you for the generosity of your Substack posts, and the great effort you put into fleshing them out with interesting bits of information about your writing process, persons in your writing world, pictures of events that you attend. It gives me such a glimpse into 'a world' I am curious about. I appreciate seeing, how you are create your writerly existence . I am especially impressed by the energy and consistent commitment you put forth to keep a pace of aliveness going in all of it, including driving miles and miles (still sounds better than 'kilometres and kilometres') to connect with people in the flesh in diverse locations and venues. Bravo! You touch so many lives.
Is it ever a stretch to balance out the in-person writer events and teaching, live and screen, with enough time holed up on your third floor? Do you manage all the details of events yourself - phone calls, planning, etc?
Congratulations on two years running, Terry! Thanks for inspiring us.
With admiration,
Beverley
Thank you, Beverley. I think I’ve somehow managed to strike the right balance. It is busy but I do believe strongly that saying “yes” to invitations to speak builds a network of supporters across the province and the country. It particularly helps around the launch of a new novel. Many of those people who have seen me speak in their community pre-order the new novel. And that really kickstarts sales and so far has pushed every new novel onto the bestsellers lists. The fact that I actually enjoy nearly every aspect of the writing life makes it easier to drive two hours, visit with a local book club, and then drive two hours home again. Hope you’re still writing. Take care.
Congrats on the 2-year milestone and upward trajectory of readers. Thank you, as always, for your update. It's exciting to see your progress on The Marionette and to get a sneak peak. It's interesting how you balance working on it while also promoting A New Season. I look forward to your talk this Friday in Gravenhurst.
I'm looking forward to Gravenhurst, too.
Honestly, Terry, what do you do in your “spare” time? Sheesh! You certainly don’t let much dust settle.
Thanks for sharing images of your bullet point process, the word count sheet (an intriguing way to stay on track), and a sneak peek at the rough draft of the opening (great hook).
Rest assured, receiving a notification that you have posted a new substack (stack?) is always welcome. Congrats on two years, here’s to many more!
Very kind.
I was thinking about you last night. It was the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop's annual LitFest, an event that you've graciously guested and keynoted before. This year, we had a theme: plotters vs. pantsers. The idea is that the two co-MCs, Jean E Pendziwol and myself, would duke it out to see whether planning or pantsing was the way to go. (As you likely guessed, I represented the pansters...) The schtick seemed to go over well -- nobody ducked out at the end, avoiding eye contact, so I took that to be a good sign. I'm not sure we came to any firm conclusions, but then that wasn't really the point.
In any case, I know we've had this conversation before a couple of times when you've been here. It's an interesting coincidence to read your post this morning, and it made me chuckle.
Although I've always played up the "Go Pantsers!" thing for humour, truth is that I believe every writer should do what works for them. There are clear advantages to planning, and it's something I've tried before. Never took, though. Which is why, I guess, I'm a *confirmed* pantser, for better or for worse.
In any case, I'm really glad to hear your new book is coming along so well! Such a great feeling, to get into that groove and tell the story!
Whenever I give outlining workshops I always start by saying that I'm not telling them they should outline. No writer should tell any other writer how they should write. Then I proceed to share my approach to outlining and why it works for me. I actually think our first jobs as writers is to figure how we write best. I feel lucky that I seemed to have stumble upon the method that works best for me right out of the gate. So I encourage writers who are struggling with their work to experiment with different approaches until they discover the method that works best for them. I never disparage the pantser approach as some of our finest writers are hardcore pantsers. Hope you're well, Graham.
Yes, that was also a topic that came up during LitFest this year: giving advice. I agree 100% with you that every writer has to find what works for them. I try to give tips as, "Hey, this is something that worked for me (or someone else); maybe it will work for you, too!" kind of thing. So yeah, planning, pantsing -- whatever works for you.
But I admit, I looove getting into some shenanigans that pit pantsers and planners against each other in good fun!
Glad that this new novel is not based on personal experience! Looking forward to it. 😉
Your literary brand symbol is perfect - yes thank your parents! Still have A new Season on my pile to read. Do you plan any book talks in Niagara on the Lake? Wd you be interested in popping into our bookclub fir few minutes in the Fall for this novel in Leaside?
I have no trips planned to NOTL yet. As for visiting your bookclub, I think I can make that happen. Would that be in Leaside or in NOTL? Thanks, Jody.
H Terry, In Leaside, my sis & I were at LHS when you were there. That would be lovely. Just having planning meeting next month, so will let you know date we plan for in a few weeks If it’s convenient for you.
I remember you, Jody. Happy to do a Leaside book club. You can email me at tfallis@gmail.com if that's easier. Many thanks.
Hey, that’s me! So great to get to chat with you. And people keep telling me how much they enjoyed it. All your books are circulating rapidly! Can’t wait for the next one.
Always enjoy your post with my Sunday morning coffee….great way to start the day! Thank you and keep them coming. Looking forward to your new novel now that you have given us a sneak preview.
Terry, Overall, your literary brand symbol is brilliant.
Good lord, I'm SO late to the party! I read "The Best Laid Plans" and loved it; "Albatross" has been on my shelf, unread, for a couple of months — and as soon as I've finished Geddy Lee's weighty autobiography and Joe Boyd's book about pop music in the '60s, I promise I'll get to yours! I'm happy indeed to be a new subscriber!
Welcome aboard, Richard. I’ll check out your Substack. Thanks for throwing your lot in with me.
As I have read all your novels, I’m looking forward to this one too - though it’s sounding pretty frightening. I’m trusting that you will hold true to form and give a happy ending😊.
Can’t wait to see how you infuse your usual humour into this tale.
No need to worry!
You are having far too much fun... me, too, reading about it.
Inspiring. Carry on, please.
Keep up the great work Terry although I am not sure I want to read the next paragraph!!
Love your posts. Thank you for sharing your time all over Canada. It is greatly appreciated.😀