The Thrill of Them All

Yes, I know those words are from a song. (I Remember You by Johnny Mercer)

And this really was not the ultimate thrill, among which getting my book published certainly qualifies.

But--last Thursday, the 21st, I got to hear my name on the radio.

To explain: My niece Amanda belongs to the wonderful Langley Ukulele Ensemble. A group of talented young people, they tour the world, performing, and have released a number of CDs. Their latest CD, Classical Ukuleles, contains some of my favorite works.

Each weekday morning I listen to a (classical) music request show, Here's to You, on CBC Radio Two. Some time ago, I placed a request for Pachelbel's Canon in D by the Ukulele Ensemble. On Thursday they played my request in a fine presentation and announced my name. Twice!

Gave me chills, it did. CBC Radio is not just a local station. It's Canada-wide, coast to coast. Judging by some of the requests they get, many Americans listen. I figure a couple million or more people heard the request. And my name!

And then I wondered: is that my fifteen, well three, minutes of fame?

It was still a thrill. And according to another, much more cynical, song by Marianne Faithfull, A Thrill's a Thrill.

Cat -- listening to Snakecharmer by Ottmar Liebert

~

Quote:

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.

-- Danny Kaye

Small Update

FORTUNE revision number 300 zillion. Or so it seems.

I've been working on this story so long and have revised it so often it bears little resemblance to the original, written by pencil on yellow lined paper. I might as well have chiseled it on stone tablets, it's that old.

Perhaps I exaggerate. The story has evolved greatly, many names have changed, each revision has, I believe, improved the book and been a learning experience.

I no longer work on plot details or character adjustments. Those might as well be carved in stone and will only change if an agent or editor insists.

The last several revisions have all had one purpose--to eliminate that which is not needed (backstory, exposition, redundancy, fluff, bits of history that are there just to prove I did my research), and to tighten what I have left.

How I hated deleting some of the history of my characters!

The thing is, the reader doesn't need to know all these gems of the past for they don't affect the story. I, on the other hand, should know what brought the characters to this point in time. So putting it all down was not a total waste. And some facts will trickle back in on a need-to-know basis.

Funny note:
Had an email rejection today to a query I sent in March. The company wanted an exclusive. I gave them till the end of April. Wrote them off in May. Back on top in June--no, that's a Sinatra song. Anyway, the email was addressed to me, Cat Dubie, but began "Dear Ms. Williams."
Good for a laugh, anyway.

Listening to: Adonais, by Patrick Bernard

Cat

T-Shirt Tales

My husband found an article in the newspaper about 100 things one must do (in BC) before one dies. We discovered we've already done a few and checked them off the list. Some we will pass, such as nude bungee jumping in Nanaimo, hiking up Mount Robson, tackling the Grouse Grind--a difficult way to get to the top of Grouse Mountain when there's a perfectly good tram.

But there was one special thing he wanted to do as soon as possible--have fish and chips in Steveston. We haven't been there for some time, never dined there. Shame on us--Steveston is a unique place, closer to us than Vancouver.

Yes, that was doable. And tastily appealing.

So we wrapped up a wonderful visit with our daughter, who lives in Halifax and was here for a week with her two young ones, by heading to Steveston. This historic fishing village is still thriving:


But it has changed from the one-coffee-shop end-of-the-road spot of interest it was when last we were there into a flourishing town with great waterfront dining, plenty of small specialty stores, and several souvenir shops.

On the boardwalk, Steveston.

After a terrific meal, we ambled along the walkway and headed into a T-Shirt store. Cool Ts, many with pirate themes, many having to do with fish. We all picked one out. I could not resist a shirt with a picture of Mona Lisa, a big fish in her arms, and the words The Da Vinci Cod.

The kids had ice cream in waffle cones that were made on the spot, everyone was happy with their purchases, we left knowing we'd return.

And checked another "must do" off the list.

Back to writing.

Later, Cat

Quote:

All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it.

-- Samuel Butler