tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633256628717267402024-03-12T21:43:47.107-07:00Roy Blomstrom, WriterRoy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-19818002712978391222023-06-01T09:35:00.001-07:002023-06-01T09:35:25.538-07:00News and Updates<p>Hi, folks! Welcome to 2023, perhaps not yet post-pandemic, but certainly post-vaccine. </p><p>I have news! Since I last posted, two great things have happened. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7seCmZdEKK2ITDtAdvqTmbIE7lO44dQSZPgYwx0qjt5gqiY9uCMXnuRLfHH94XdqAeqpLtZmxXxENX0eS08Jx2HlG6jwfZpro5hly73JPfO3Y4mjamlLhhpAJBpw-oe1is38ijBF4InYX4YglwwWAqeEui8BkIHsNyK1fu8ALyA5JgXiJPM_WFYC/s4032/IMG_5961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7seCmZdEKK2ITDtAdvqTmbIE7lO44dQSZPgYwx0qjt5gqiY9uCMXnuRLfHH94XdqAeqpLtZmxXxENX0eS08Jx2HlG6jwfZpro5hly73JPfO3Y4mjamlLhhpAJBpw-oe1is38ijBF4InYX4YglwwWAqeEui8BkIHsNyK1fu8ALyA5JgXiJPM_WFYC/s320/IMG_5961.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Recently, the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop presented me with the Kouhi Award. I was surprised and of course gratified. In my decades in the classroom, I had the honour of teaching at Churchill High School for a year or so while Elizabeth "Betty" Kouhi was there, and her dedication to students greatly impressed me. After she retired, she wrote some outstanding poetry rooted in both Finland and Northwestern Ontario. It's an honour to have my writing associated with her. </p><p>Here are some more photos. It was a really nice event--and although we're still cautious from the pandemic, it was also good to be in the company of writers.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho023DTm8INAmOv9_msY9Jf3JyfDgSF1HgB2rfZ6voJ4Dgh_P_9s4k_Cc_v0RpUBrZrvZ_94PzWeLRlAqoLaTSkD7rTncBPJgxK09MrPey8SOiaxRRHKk_UiAYC6c7JRpwR4Vr1dD8kpC8aC_mkUVguwrupoTACleg1ovXk91VeEaa2BlhvXLHskgj/s4032/IMG_5954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho023DTm8INAmOv9_msY9Jf3JyfDgSF1HgB2rfZ6voJ4Dgh_P_9s4k_Cc_v0RpUBrZrvZ_94PzWeLRlAqoLaTSkD7rTncBPJgxK09MrPey8SOiaxRRHKk_UiAYC6c7JRpwR4Vr1dD8kpC8aC_mkUVguwrupoTACleg1ovXk91VeEaa2BlhvXLHskgj/s320/IMG_5954.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHxjMMTsTBcCjg4TkcHP2c0NRJF2Nkpfmse_lYOTcQ8KdvXpVUVWwCP4cCc4yIpFlgwZkbrfbP_JGp2df4OchSuBiH2AkBwPg7fadblCKqlyUKwj3QrP6tENd_CJAVw6MIQ5L79wbv1UN3PIDFAPF8zIHoh6qcpm3Ii74W6qq-_vlfwgSp5mG_ilC/s4032/IMG_5962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHxjMMTsTBcCjg4TkcHP2c0NRJF2Nkpfmse_lYOTcQ8KdvXpVUVWwCP4cCc4yIpFlgwZkbrfbP_JGp2df4OchSuBiH2AkBwPg7fadblCKqlyUKwj3QrP6tENd_CJAVw6MIQ5L79wbv1UN3PIDFAPF8zIHoh6qcpm3Ii74W6qq-_vlfwgSp5mG_ilC/s320/IMG_5962.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>The plaque has a place of honour on the wall of my den, just above my computer screen.</p><p>My second piece of good news is that THE ITERATIONS OF CAROLINE was released (very quietly) during the pandemic. If all the talk about the movie <i>Everything Everywhere All At Once</i> has made you hungry for more multiverse stories, give this story of David and Caroline a shot. </p><p>I've been curious about the nature of reality for some time, and I wanted to write a book that conveyed how I think a couple of reasonably intelligent people would respond to sudden shifts in place. It's available locally at Entershine Bookshop (and Chapters should have some shelved), and online. </p><p>And of course, it's available as an e-book, should that be your preference. When you've read it, leave a review somewhere! (My publisher asked me to say that. But I'm curious, so let me know what you think of it.)</p>Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-12825119940149858592021-12-22T12:31:00.004-08:002021-12-22T12:31:56.983-08:00SNEAK PEEK into THE ITERATIONS OF CAROLINE<p> Last winter, the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop, a regional writing organization, published a sneak peek into THE ITERATIONS OF CAROLINE in their members-only magazine. </p><p><br /></p><p>Since then, of course, Caroline has made her way into the world, but not everyone in North America seems to have bought a copy. Mysterious! </p><p><br /></p><p>If you are one who has not yet read THE ITERATIONS OF CAROLINE, either by buying a copy or checking out a copy from your public library, you might enjoy this chance to see what you're missing. <a href="https://www.nowwwriters.ca/noww-blog/the-iterations-of-caroline" target="_blank">Click here: NOWW Blog: Caroline.</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>If you HAVE read about Caroline and David, thank you, and you might also enjoy revisiting their world. </p><p><br /></p><p>It's about brush wolves and tsunamis, and worlds that lack an essential sort of human kindness. </p><p><br /></p><p>Did you know that books--especially thoughtful adventure stories--make excellent gifts for any number of winter holidays? Well. They do! Mine are available at amazon.com and amazon.ca. Enjoy!</p>Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-91238209613116529392021-11-03T08:23:00.002-07:002021-11-03T08:23:54.938-07:00Author Talk "At" Nipigon Public Library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrak8pdjDk02pN42o4cHecAaGGShWeeUsEtkCVkkg67MThen-TKSWsdzR66yOc0VB6ugeMQ6Ti2FZ6GtDUHvtZTnTotCEUm5mFpxRw_j8ALDyTHsHkhd8bng-kcU_VaXcv4dMxFLAifrQ/s2048/2021_10_25_Blomstrom_author_talk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrak8pdjDk02pN42o4cHecAaGGShWeeUsEtkCVkkg67MThen-TKSWsdzR66yOc0VB6ugeMQ6Ti2FZ6GtDUHvtZTnTotCEUm5mFpxRw_j8ALDyTHsHkhd8bng-kcU_VaXcv4dMxFLAifrQ/s320/2021_10_25_Blomstrom_author_talk.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you to the Nipigon Public Library for inviting me to present an Author Talk, via Zoom.</p><p><br /></p><p>It's happening on Thursday, November 25. For connection information, contact the <a href="https://www.nipigon.net/living-here/culture-recreation/library" target="_blank">Nipigon Public Library directly (info on this page)</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nipigon" target="_blank">check out their Facebook page</a>. </p><p><br /></p><p>I look forward to sharing some behind-the-scenes information about my books, how I write them, how I research them, and how I decide what fascinating information I (sob) have to leave out. </p><p><br /></p><p>Each talk is an interesting opportunity to note changes to the publishing landscape, too. Years ago, less information about the Finnish Civil War was available. Now a lot more resources are online. It's a great development. </p><p><br /></p><p>I'll also be mentioning THE ITERATIONS OF CAROLINE, which is now available in Thunder Bay at <a href="https://www.entershinebookshop.ca/" target="_blank">Entershine Bookshop</a> and <a href="https://www.fireweedcrafts.ca/" target="_blank">Fireweed</a>, and of course can be ordered from <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Iterations-Caroline-Roy-Blomstrom/dp/1775052648" target="_blank">Amazon.ca here</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Iterations-Caroline-Roy-Blomstrom/dp/1775052648/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1635952954&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> here. </p><p><br /></p><p>I hope you can join me at this event! </p>Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-39368459417870184122021-08-04T05:54:00.002-07:002021-08-04T05:54:18.775-07:00Interview with Thunder Bay Public Library<p>The kind folks at the Thunder Bay Public Library interviewed me for their Off the Shelf column. Shauna Kosoris asked really great questions and allowed me to rattle on at length. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkqF8LUhpdNVCNokR_lNPbHM57wm3m-davaZyiywpEHgXYWBLDL5Qkw2MIseAEXLxSkHs48rWZFt-jYaXCNLLQVbu-RT9928jw_GotAZIGgNAW4NWklsMdIt4JYhe79ddjvxdh0Qn2vE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="1140" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkqF8LUhpdNVCNokR_lNPbHM57wm3m-davaZyiywpEHgXYWBLDL5Qkw2MIseAEXLxSkHs48rWZFt-jYaXCNLLQVbu-RT9928jw_GotAZIGgNAW4NWklsMdIt4JYhe79ddjvxdh0Qn2vE/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I even had the chance to mention Mrs. Cupples, who set me reading aloud to the class as a young kid. I wonder if she knew what she set in motion.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://tbplofftheshelf.com/2021/08/04/interview-with-roy-blomstrom/" target="_blank">Go here to read the full interview.</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>Support your local libraries--and perhaps request that they procure copies of THE ITERATIONS OF CAROLINE as well as SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR. <br /> </p>Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-66474606052935955582021-05-12T10:20:00.002-07:002021-05-12T10:20:28.676-07:00Newly Published!<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm proud to announce that my second novel, <i>The Iterations of Caroline,</i> has been released by Shuniah House Books!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b7NsgdnDg8BczujTRiOGcduUoB4dMPNbEY5tt5tX1Ius0_3Df4oYGQ5lohoA85-1MwVZbGjbRR9v1hyphenhyphenazOgyKkghV_bdhqODIl0PX9fujuXJ04EuTr1kWEmxnnrlr_CkwrZt3Zu-P4o/s499/Iterations+cover+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b7NsgdnDg8BczujTRiOGcduUoB4dMPNbEY5tt5tX1Ius0_3Df4oYGQ5lohoA85-1MwVZbGjbRR9v1hyphenhyphenazOgyKkghV_bdhqODIl0PX9fujuXJ04EuTr1kWEmxnnrlr_CkwrZt3Zu-P4o/s320/Iterations+cover+small.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This novel has been a long time in the making--even before the pandemic showed up, I'd been working on it for many years. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It's about ... a lot of things, really. What would it be like to experience the many universes of the multiverse? What would that do to your sense of reality--to your sense of self? How can we know we aren't, actually, skipping from version to version of the multiverse?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">You know, the small things. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As the back cover says, "<i>The Iterations of Caroline</i> is the story of a woman growing into her power, the man who loves her, and the evil that pursues them both." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There are also lupines, discussions over coffee, the Spanish flu, Terry Fox, and Route 66.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's more from the back cover:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On a summer afternoon, David Williamson almost--but doesn't--run into a miror version of himself in his upstairs bedroom. Downstairs, he finds that his world has changed, and so has he, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">While investigating this same-yet-different world, David meets Caroline Reynolds. Caroline's ex-husband, Rey, is trying to kill her, and soon, Rey wants David dead as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">From a former student and a network of physicist friends, Caroline and David learn that they're traveling through the multiverse--multiple versions of the universe. And ominously, Rey seems to be in charge of their trip. </span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm happy that this book is making its way into the world. My publisher assures me that discussion questions and a Q&A are coming soon to the publisher's website: <a href="http://shuniahhousebooks.con">shuniahhousebooks.com. </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And if you have a moment, my publisher would also appreciate it if you left a review at Indigo or Amazon. That not only lets us know your opinion, it also helps others who might enjoy reading it find the book. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></blockquote>Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-70083392591384016692020-07-22T10:29:00.000-07:002020-07-22T10:29:24.274-07:00Congratulations to the Finalists for the Whistler Independent Book Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mXA-KgL3otV6NYFWdYw8pd1Bl9UcnKaEX9qXDxw3AAtG0OEIXvli6C4ktS415UMQ57Xhovn4vX-0HKmTUvjT58PzJu5uqeTSFSNg0q41H6UUW9_iV7u5STp8rg2vxJVCpQ9MYudtg50/s2048/WIBA-shortlist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mXA-KgL3otV6NYFWdYw8pd1Bl9UcnKaEX9qXDxw3AAtG0OEIXvli6C4ktS415UMQ57Xhovn4vX-0HKmTUvjT58PzJu5uqeTSFSNg0q41H6UUW9_iV7u5STp8rg2vxJVCpQ9MYudtg50/s2048/WIBA-shortlist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mXA-KgL3otV6NYFWdYw8pd1Bl9UcnKaEX9qXDxw3AAtG0OEIXvli6C4ktS415UMQ57Xhovn4vX-0HKmTUvjT58PzJu5uqeTSFSNg0q41H6UUW9_iV7u5STp8rg2vxJVCpQ9MYudtg50/w200-h200/WIBA-shortlist.jpg" width="200" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR was not a finalist for this award, I'm proud that it finished on the shortlist. I think it's a good book, and a relevant book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As people are stressed, that stress trickles down into our social norms and institutions. Historical fiction, like SILENCES and other stories and novels, can help us all understand the all-too-human choices available to us. I'm pleased that SILENCES has resonated with readers, and continues to do so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kudos also to the Whistler Independent Book Award. It's no small feat to organize an award at any time, and I appreciate their continuing to offer the award in this time of COVID-19. <a href="https://independentbookawards.ca/" target="_blank">More about the awards is here.</a> </div>Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-18481743838568392972020-06-04T12:50:00.000-07:002020-06-04T12:50:08.713-07:00SILENCES RecognizedThis year so far has been ... interesting. My wife and I are hunkered down, working on my next novel, THE ITERATIONS OF CAROLINE. We hope to release it at the end of the summer, pandemic permitting<br />
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Meanwhile, exciting news! <a href="https://independentbookawards.ca/wiba-2020-shortlist-announced/" target="_blank">SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR is on the shortlist for the Whistler Independent Book Awards</a>.<br />
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My book is one of six recognized in this way. Three finalists will be announced in mid-July, with winners announced in October--pandemic permitting, I suppose.<br />
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To learn more about the awards, <a href="https://independentbookawards.ca/" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
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It's welcome news, to know that people are reading my book and (apparently) enjoying it.<br />
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And even as the sun and warmth returns, we're still mindful of the little we know about COVID-19, its prevalence--and I suppose its malevolence, although it's not fair to anthropomorphize. It's just doing what viruses do.<br />
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So sometimes we mow the lawn, sometimes we rake last year's leaves, and we always keep an eye on our view. This year, we have redwing blackbirds nesting down near the lakeshore, and they're brave to take on and chase away the ravens that plunder their nests. Meanwhile, the ravens (joined by gulls and even crows) harass the eagles.<br />
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They all, too, are just doing what birds do. People, though--we can do better. We don't have to kill each other. I think the characters in SILENCES, from Jussi to the Solbakkens to Jimmy, would all agree.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-48462665563150740652019-11-06T11:35:00.000-08:002019-11-06T11:35:34.630-08:00Speaking Soon<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Of course, the underlying, unanswerable question that I will, nonetheless, attempt to answer: How do you DO it? How do you write a historical novel?</span></div>
<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here's what I'll say. </span></div>
<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Start with an event in history that you are, yourself, interested in. Read a lot about it. This is why you need to be interested in it--you'll be spending a lot of time with it.</span></div>
<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Develop a central character who will be changed by this thing, this event, this time period. Who is this character? Where does s/he start, and where does s/he end up?</span></div>
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<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Then, more fun: more in-depth and focused research on the time period and places.</span></div>
<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At some point, you have to start the actual writing part. My way is to organize it in your head, and just start writing it. </span></div>
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<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once you have a chronology of the character moving through the event, you can play with the order of events--add a prologue or tweak the order in which the reader learns about events. </span></div>
<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's that easy, and that complicated.</span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So that's what I'll say to those writers, who are so kind as to invite me. Meanwhile, my publisher and I are working on a new novel, one NOT about the Finnish Civil War. More about that later. </span></div>
Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-62957351106610434972019-07-10T10:49:00.001-07:002019-07-10T10:49:43.274-07:00Local Book, Local AuthorSo many local folks are interested in local history. It makes for some great reading about this region. Alan Wade recently joined the pack of local writers.<br />
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Alan Wade's <i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/PREHISTORIC-LAKEHEADERS-90-Century-Pre-Contact-Thunderbayans/dp/1928045243" target="_blank">Prehistoric Lakeheaders--the 90-Century Story of Pre-Contact Thunderbayans</a></i> is an interesting, easy-to-read history of the people who lived in this region long before the arrival of Europeans.<br />
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He writes about three distinct civilizations as categorized by their different technologies--the use of stone, copper, and pots. The reader will learn as much about the archaeological process as about the people who lived at the various sites.<br />
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Alan's style of writing is both enthusiastic and demanding. His tone is that of someone who has a gripping subject that he wants you to feel as fascinated by as he is. His interest--in the discoveries that various people have made, in the technology that each of the three peoples developed, and in the methods the archaeologists employed to make sense of it all--is infectious.<br />
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Want to know how amateur archaeologists work with professionals? Want to know how a dig is mapped out and the finds recorded? Look in Alan's book.<br />
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Nice work, Alan.<br />
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You can buy his book <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/PREHISTORIC-LAKEHEADERS-90-Century-Pre-Contact-Thunderbayans/dp/1928045243" target="_blank">here: Prehistoric Lakeheaders</a>.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-87394554789013382442019-06-26T07:13:00.002-07:002019-06-26T07:13:38.822-07:00Thank You!The summer season is officially beginning, with all the sun and rain and growth. Hard to believe in the throes of January.<br />
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A huge THANK YOU to Ron Harpelle and Kelly Saxburg, organizers of the Finnish Festival 2019 celebrations in Thunder Bay this past weekend.<br />
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So much music, so many vendors, so much celebrating. I appreciated being able to participate with fellow Finnish Fiction (and non-fiction) authors Liisa Kovala and Mark Munger. They shared so much of their paths to their work. Go check them out.<br />
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Liisa: <a href="https://www.liisakovala.com/">https://www.liisakovala.com/</a><br />
Mark: <a href="http://cloquetriverpress.com/">http://cloquetriverpress.com/</a><br />
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Also, thank you to Thunder Bay's own Finnish Bookstore, part of The Kitchen Nook at the corner of Bay and Algoma. They now have copies of SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR available. It's an honour to have work supported so well in the community.<br />
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As for what else is happening--some revising, some writing, some waiting, a lot with the chainsaw and loppers and splitter.<br />
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On a related note: Did you know that alders grow quickly? It's a fact I get to remember every year.<br />
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<br />Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-31867415805520119312019-05-22T08:56:00.002-07:002019-05-22T08:56:48.951-07:00Finn Festival 2019!Finn Festival 2019 is coming up. This cultural get-together is held in different locations every year. This year it's in Thunder Bay, and I'll be speaking about SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR.<br />
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The festival runs June 20 through 22. Events will be held in what we locals still call PACI (Port Arthur Collegiate Institute), even though it's housed the Lakehead University law school for several years, as well as Waverley Park, Trinity United Church, and St. Paul's United Church.<br />
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I'll share more dates and times as I know them. Meanwhile, start exercising those wife-carrying muscles.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-12598214419260982982019-03-27T13:04:00.000-07:002019-03-27T13:04:23.439-07:00Author Panel DetailsA week from tomorrow, I'll be participating in <a href="http://www.royblomstrom.ca/2019/03/ask-author-panel.html" target="_blank">that panel discussion I mentioned last week</a>.<br />
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Here's a poster for the event, showing the rest of the panel. I'm looking forward hearing their stories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6AdHuY9fvZ5LORGheQS3dTPKCTyFq__tpJepADtDoFx3MtgcC375cx84OqLvPR91MCOJl6OyBT1SloPfqQl7TIkYYitwrnTs2fw-xH2mEFqse3d_aNEpPYiP26gtv8rGVs9ID04rTHc/s1600/NOWW+2019+Ask+an+Author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="785" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6AdHuY9fvZ5LORGheQS3dTPKCTyFq__tpJepADtDoFx3MtgcC375cx84OqLvPR91MCOJl6OyBT1SloPfqQl7TIkYYitwrnTs2fw-xH2mEFqse3d_aNEpPYiP26gtv8rGVs9ID04rTHc/s640/NOWW+2019+Ask+an+Author.jpg" width="485" /></a></div>
If you're in the area, check it out.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-4254111242434067602019-03-20T13:49:00.000-07:002019-03-20T13:49:09.159-07:00Ask an Author PanelThunder Bay has lots of interesting writers and a thriving community. I'm honoured to be appearing as part of a panel on April 4, 2019.<br />
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Sponsored by the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW), the Ask an Author panel gives readers and writers an informal setting to get some burning questions answered. (Or at least discussed.) Jean Pendziwol, Heather Dickson, Jeannette Lynes, and I will all read briefly from a recent work and then be open to pontificating about our experiences in response to your questions.<br />
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More information about the format and panelists is at this link:<a href="https://www.nowwwriters.ca/workshops.html" target="_blank"> https://www.nowwwriters.ca/workshops.html</a><br />
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Other relevant details: April 4, 2019; 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Mary J L Black Library at 901 S. Edward Street in Thunder Bay.<br />
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See you there!Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-9962282308628990142019-01-30T14:02:00.000-08:002019-01-30T14:02:15.711-08:00A Writer's LifeThe writing life can be a lot of fun.<div>
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For example--this month, I've attended a book club meeting, where SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR was discussed. It was interesting to hear local readers compare notes: "Did you know about that?" "No, not until later." "I had no idea." "We walked back there often." "We went to the circus ever summer!" "My husband's grandmother refused to talk about her life before immigration." Et cetera. </div>
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The books have been disappearing from the local chain bookstores, which means people are buying them. (Or they're lost in a back room somewhere--we are coming out of the busy season for all retailers, so that's possible.)</div>
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I've been chatting with many other writers working on books of history--fiction and otherwise. Having a book out there for people to read helps give me gravitas, though who knows whether I have earned it. </div>
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Although "having written" and "having published" is fun, so is working on another project. </div>
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For my companion novel to SILENCES, I've researched symptoms of lung disease, medical terminology from 1955 and earlier, the differences between psychopaths and sociopaths, and phases of the moon. </div>
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<a href="https://www.shuniahhousebooks.com/" target="_blank">My publisher</a> and I are looking ahead to 2019 events. FinnFest, the celebration of Finnish culture, is in Thunder Bay this year--stay tuned to hear about our plans. </div>
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Writing is a lot of fun--but it wouldn't be possible without readers. Thank you to everyone who reads, especially those who read the work of your friends and neighbours! </div>
Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-67620895635158758762018-09-05T07:42:00.002-07:002018-09-05T07:42:42.887-07:00Readers and WritersSince publishing SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR, I've been involved in a lot of discussions. At the two signings this summer, some readers were surprised (and, I hope, interested) to learn that there even WAS a civil war in Finland. Others remembered summer in 1955 in Port Arthur (or Fort William or anywhere else, really) and enjoyed reminiscing.<br />
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A few reviews of SILENCES have appeared on Amazon. I've had generous, thoughtful email from readers and friends-of-friends who recognize places or attitudes or events.<br />
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I appreciate all of it. I have come to see how readers can help keep writers going.<br />
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Although researching and writing about war for SILENCES was no treat, my interest in the characters and how they responded to their choices forced me to keep wrestling with the material until I found out what happened.<br />
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Fitting together the pieces of my next novel, a companion to SILENCES, is requiring me to learn about corruption in business and government--what, in a crime novel, might be called the "seedy underbelly" of life in Canada in the early 20th century. It's more than a little sobering to see how easily people could move through the world without much regard for others. As with SILENCES, I'm writing to find out what happens.<br />
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I also think about how generous readers have been with their time and attention. I hope to exceed their expectations.<br />
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Thank you to you all.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-39225224489528379422018-08-13T07:47:00.001-07:002018-08-13T08:04:46.265-07:00Signing this Saturday at the Thunder Bay Chapters!This Saturday, August 18! From noon until 4!<br />
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I'll be at Chapters in Thunder Bay to sign copies of SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR and otherwise represent my publisher, <a href="https://www.shuniahhousebooks.com/" target="_blank">Shuniah House Books</a>.<br />
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Many other writers from the region will also be there--why not come see what's happening in the Northwestern Ontario literary world? (Psst: it's air-conditioned in there!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wc3Gajl69Faoa3-82EZgaocI63yAXJJB1J0HNok6B_oT3uiMNp6nOFGYynhgLdicRmes7LnpvmPoFRoo0sx1P31c3XIR9y7yq8-qhmkR-slvicY5O0IqjPTmVVvnHiCqVj6-NIa9mpW5/s1600/38457938_1838912286147217_5424217663880560640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wc3Gajl69Faoa3-82EZgaocI63yAXJJB1J0HNok6B_oT3uiMNp6nOFGYynhgLdicRmes7LnpvmPoFRoo0sx1P31c3XIR9y7yq8-qhmkR-slvicY5O0IqjPTmVVvnHiCqVj6-NIa9mpW5/s320/38457938_1838912286147217_5424217663880560640_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The most up-to-date list of other participating authors: Sandi Boucher, Sam Convey, H. Leighton Dickson, Roma Fisher, <a href="http://www.mischievousbooks.com/" target="_blank">Makenzi Fisk</a>, Deanna Ford, Eva Kakepetum, Rob Kozak, Michelle Krys, Kyle Lees, Terrence McParland, Merk, John Pringle, Shannon Robertson, Evan Sills, and the Friends of the (Thunder Bay) Library.<br />
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Hope to see you there!Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-31750497420021122692018-07-11T07:38:00.002-07:002018-07-11T07:38:36.079-07:00SigningI thoroughly enjoyed <strike>boring</strike> chatting with readers about all things Finnish Civil War at Saturday's signing at Coles. Here's the evidence:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY5Uzy332MWXe2u73oxJeLuQN6vUr4Ciw3vZpiNhw5iK15GKaJ00QJwdTsP_93H5fOMq4exUYX-s-5vC1JaVf3HwY9XbivoOrIUedn7iBpqjym3UQKRYb5XU1qveWMQ9dE_ocN8AXZNs/s1600/IMG_3311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY5Uzy332MWXe2u73oxJeLuQN6vUr4Ciw3vZpiNhw5iK15GKaJ00QJwdTsP_93H5fOMq4exUYX-s-5vC1JaVf3HwY9XbivoOrIUedn7iBpqjym3UQKRYb5XU1qveWMQ9dE_ocN8AXZNs/s200/IMG_3311.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thanks to all who stopped by or cheered me on from your seats at the BluesFest! I very much appreciate all the support local readers show to local writers.<br />
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Stay tuned for information about an Author Extravaganza of some sort in August, sponsored by Chapters.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-84949549012074148542018-07-04T08:20:00.003-07:002018-07-04T08:20:48.124-07:00See You Saturday!A reminder: I'll be signing copies of SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR this coming Saturday in Thunder Bay at the Coles at Intercity Mall, from noon until 4 p.m.<br />
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Come by to say hello, reminisce about Port Arthur in 1955, or share your parents' or grandparents' emigration/immigration stories.<br />
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Many thanks to Coles for arranging this event.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-56454273689402449202018-06-13T08:03:00.001-07:002018-06-13T08:03:39.873-07:00More Good News and a Signing!Previously, I mentioned that SILENCES <a href="http://www.royblomstrom.ca/2018/05/good-news.html" target="_blank">appeared on the longlist for the Northern Lit Award</a>. We recently learned that <a href="http://home.olsn.ca/northern-lit-awards" target="_blank">it was shortlisted</a>!<br />
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Again, thank you to Ontario Library Service-North for this honour.<br />
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Also, I'll be signing copies of SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR at the Coles at the Thunder Bay Intercity Mall on Saturday, July 7, 2018, from noon until 4 p.m. Stop by to say hi!Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-80975144467640469562018-05-16T08:38:00.000-07:002018-05-16T08:38:00.105-07:00Good News!SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 CIVIL WAR appears on the longlist for the 2018 Northern Lit Awards!<br />
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This award recognizes the contribution that books make to the literature of the north. Be sure to check out the full longlist <a href="http://home.olsn.ca/northern-lit-awards" target="_blank">at this link</a>.<br />
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It's a sincere honour for my work to appear in such sterling company! Thank you, Ontario Library Service--North and all the libraries in northern Ontario!Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-25783142217271986132018-05-03T08:29:00.002-07:002018-05-03T08:29:33.143-07:00Literary Events in Thunder Bay This WeekendThe Write NOWW LitFest is being held this weekend, May 4 and 5.<br />
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<img alt="Picture" height="222" src="https://www.nowwwriters.ca/uploads/6/4/3/9/64393451/screen-shot-2018-03-05-at-9-32-29-am_orig.png" width="320" /><br />
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Friday night includes a FREE reading and conversation between Sandi Boucher and Angie Abdou, which is open to the public and for which registration is not required.<br />
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I'll be at the Saturday evening Gala Dinner and Awards--if you're there, look for me or check out the Celebration Table and flip through a copy of SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR.<br />
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<a href="https://www.nowwwriters.ca/write-noww-litfest.html" target="_blank">More information about NOWW and the LitFest is here</a>.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-56828973709069436212018-04-10T11:55:00.000-07:002018-04-10T11:55:00.348-07:00Toivo Waske's CROSSING BORDERSI recently had an email from Lea (Waske) Springer, letting me know about CROSSING BORDERS, her father's memoir.<br />
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Subtitled "From Refugee to Freedom Fighter," the memoir <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Crossing-Borders-Refugee-Freedom-Fighter/dp/1548796336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522435277&sr=8-1&keywords=crossing+borders+Waske" target="_blank">is available from Amazon.ca at this link</a>. Toivo Waske began writing his memoirs in the 1980s. He was born in 1918 in Finland, where his family had fled from Russia to avoid the Revolution. In 1924, his family returned to Russia. In later years, he lived in Finland and Sweden before emigrating to Canada.<br />
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The book includes an account of Toivo's involvement in the Winter War and Continuation War. Described as "the ordinary patrol member's view," the memoir provides a fascinating account of everyday events during wartime.<br />
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I appreciate reading this first-hand account of turbulent times--which could describe all of Europe in the 20th century. Kudos to the family for making this memoir available!<br />
<br />Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-18129754247938254862018-03-14T09:02:00.001-07:002018-03-14T09:02:11.588-07:00SILENCES: Questions to Consider<a href="https://www.shuniahhousebooks.com/" target="_blank">Shuniah House Books</a> asked me to come up with questions for readers to consider after reading SILENCES. The list of questions is <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/s34g37j4ysbtng6/Silences%20Reading%20Guide%20Book%20Club%20Questions.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">linked here </a>and <a href="https://www.shuniahhousebooks.com/" target="_blank">on their website</a>.<br />
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It's always interesting to know what a reader sees, as opposed to what the writer sees. In interviews, you often see writers talk about "being immersed" in the books they're writing, or "living with" their characters.<br />
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Historical fiction is a little different. I can get in a car and go 20 kilometres to town without much forethought, where the same trip for Jussi, with Viola or Perho pulling his cart, would take far more time and require preparation.<br />
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Even the Port Arthur of 1955 is gone--subsumed into Thunder Bay, its streets renamed and re-routed, the bush where Jimmy plays developed into parks.<br />
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For those reasons, I don't quite "live with" my characters, though I still think of Jimmy when I make toast.<br />
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Nevertheless, characters speak in my ear. I can look out my window in the early 21st century, and while my physical eyes see snow-covered birches, my mind's eye sees again the destruction of Tampere or a box holding shoes and boots.<br />
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So I hope the questions help you consider some of the questions I lived with while writing SILENCES. And if you have other questions, please be in touch!Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-59848525012772531142018-02-13T10:53:00.002-08:002018-02-13T10:53:29.921-08:00An Opera about the Finnish Civil War!Thanks to <a href="https://www.lakeheadu.ca/users/W/rwarkentin/node/21009" target="_blank">Dr. Raija Warkentin</a>, author and professor emeritus of Anthropology at Lakehead University, I learned about the premiere of an opera about the Finnish Civil War this coming Friday, in Finland.<br />
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Entitled VELJENI VARTIJA, which translates as "My Brother's Keeper," the opera is about a brother and sister who end up on opposite sides of the war. The title, of course, refers to the story of Cain and Able in Genesis.<br />
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There's a little more about the opera, composer, and librettist at the <a href="https://www.shuniahhousebooks.com/single-post/2018/02/13/Finnish-Civil-War-Opera-My-Brothers-Keeper" target="_blank">Shuniah House Books</a> website. <a href="https://tampere-talo.fi/en/events/kortekangas-my-brothers-keeper/" target="_blank">The website of the concert hall, Tampere-Talo, has even more</a>.<br />
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Stories, whether in books or operas or any other art form, are helpful for talking about difficult subjects--and this is a good year to tell this story it in.<br />
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Best wishes to the company on the premiere of this work!<br />
<br />Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163325662871726740.post-32265905012778980532018-01-31T08:15:00.000-08:002018-01-31T08:15:09.297-08:00ConscriptionIt's the season of snow in our part of North America. In fact, I have another date with our snowblower this morning.<br />
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As I put on my hat with ear flaps, my face warmer, my heavy coat, my thick and lined gloves, and multi-layered, extremely warm boots, I can't help but think of conditions in Finland 100 years ago.<br />
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At this time in the winter of 1918, neighbours and friends were sorting themselves into sides. Red vs. White. Labourers vs. landowners/independent farmers/white-collar workers.<br />
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People had begun to talk about Finland in terms of "us" and "them." Helsinki had become the capital for the Reds. Vasa was the <i>de facto</i> capital of the White side.<br />
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And they'd begun to talk about fighting--how many, where, when. It had become apparent that young men would be conscripted to fight for the Whites.<br />
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In SILENCES, a group gathers in the basement of a church after a funeral. They share news. And they know that soon, they and their friends will be on a battlefield.<br />
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Without the kinds of cold-weather gear I put on this morning.Roy Blomstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497785358035776006noreply@blogger.com