(Can’t see the photos? You need to visit my site directly by clicking here.)

Last week I spent in Penticton, teaching at the Youth Write Conference 2010. This is an annual conference that is run by the Penticton Writers and Publishers Association, specifically by the amazing Yasmin John-Thorpe.

Teaching at the conference were authors Meg Tilly, kc dyer, Lee Edward Fodi, Lyle Weis, Kallie George and, of course, me.

It began on Monday with a speech by Meg Tilly, who gave us some great tips on how to work as a writer. She even pulled Lee and I on stage when someone asked her about plotting a novel. Since she isn’t a plotter herself, she wanted us to offer our experiences on the subject. I should note that she actually pulled Lee on stage, and when I mocked him he pulled me on stage. You can see photos from that evening here.

On Monday, I had the 12-year olds and taught them how to create characters. We played a storytelling game, and pretended to be mad scientists. It occurred to me that this was probably too similar to what Lee Fodi was teaching in his Villains and Heroes class, so the next day I amended the class. From Tuesday to Thursday we discussed settings, and attempted to hammer out stories after drawing maps. The last day I had the late teens, that were anywhere from 15-20-years old. With them I discussed research, and showed them the immense research that I did on tae kwon do, mixed martial arts and underground fight clubs. (Equally interesting would have been the vampire research I did for my Rancour series, but less relevant since Rancour is not yet available.)

The week was not just filled with work. While Meg Tilly was in town with her husband, author Don Calame, we managed a trip to Okanagan Falls for ice cream at Tickleberry’s. (Our first trip there, I was not blown away by the ice cream ... but on Saturday when Lee, kc and I would return I would be.)

While we were at Tickleberry’s we watched a gentleman make kettle corn popcorn, and Meg admitted an addiction to the stuff. Don and I got a free sample, and I must admit that I can see how one might get addicted to the stuff! Kallie, as we all watched the corn pop, thoughtfully remarked at how she sometimes feels like a kernel of pop corn.

Monday evening we went to hear Meg speak at Hooked On Books, and if you ever have the chance to see her live I  suggest you go. Not only does she become her characters when she reads (she is an award-winning actress,) but she is also frank and honest - which is so refreshing in a world where media distorts everything.

On Tuesday we went go-cart racing, and I got whooped by Lyle. Lee also passed me, but I’m fairly sure his car was faster than mine... I see a rematch in the future.

Wednesday we had a lazy day at the beach, and while we were there we saw a giant peach that was actually a concession stand. My literary friends got very excited at the prospect of snapping a photo of “James and the Giant Peach,” and since I am such a nice guy I went along with it.

Thursday we had an event at Hooked On Books, and while it wasn‘t very well attended, it was still fun to be among friends.

The next few days were just a blur of friends enjoying each other’s company. Among the activities were moonlit walks  along the beach, a dinner at a pirate-themed pub, more ice cream ... and an annual walk through the pet cemetery.