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Raise a Reader 2011

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:32:24 -0700

I don’t write a blog very often, but when I do you know something amazing has happened.

For most of my writing life, I have been asked about my experience as a “reluctant reader.” If you’re curious about my story as such, you can read about it here.

This is why when I was asked by Yasmin John-Thorpe, of the Penticton Writers, to participate in her unique take on the Raise a Reader Program, I had to say yes.

Unlike other Raise a Reader programs, Yasmin pairs authors with schools for presentations - and a copy of the author’s book donated by RAR.

Last week, the Penticton area saw Lee Edward Fodi and Kallie George visiting the elementary schools. Following them, kcdyer and myself visited the middle and high schools. This was a gruelling event of six presentations in two days - and I signed nearly 1000 books! To see the smiles on the students’ faces as we passed them a copy of either Rancour, Pyre or Flying Feet, was enough to warm even the coldest of hearts.

During my presentations I often asked if anyone was a reluctant reader. (This is a term, I’ll admit, I’d never heard of when I was a kid and am a bit sad to know that students all know the term well.) I assured them that even if they were labelled as such, they just needed to find the right book for them. I put out a call to the teachers and librarians to broaden their view of what “good reading” is, and to let the students guide them as much as they guided them.

This is where I must say bravo to the teachers at Summerland High, Summerland Middle, McNicoll Middle and KVR Middle. Few of the students considered themselves reluctant readers, the teachers are all very interested in knowing what their students want to read - and literacy is something that is approached with an adventurous heart.

And yes, even the teachers got to walk away with their own copies of donated books. After all, how can we talk to the kids about what they are reading if we don’t read it ourselves?

(The photo at the top in of KVR Middle School, grade 8 class.)

L’Ecole Bilingue

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 12:40:38 -0700

Seems like a good time to add to the blog.

This week, I’ve been at L’Ecole Bilingue doing writing workshops with the grades 5-7s. After listening to a short presentation on what made me a writer (and reader,) I teach them how to come up with stories using maps.

This is a skill that I owe to my many teen years of playing Dungeons and Dragons. No, not the video game. When I played D&D, video games were still in their infancy. (Yes, it was that long ago!) Our games took place completely in our imaginations.

I was almost always the Dungeon Master, which meant I was the storyteller. I came up with the plot lines, the monsters, the strange people they’d meet. I’d act out each character or creature - and my friends would play their characters in response to my story.

What a fun way to learn how to write! this is a game I play with all my creative writing classes, and each time the (very reluctant) students discover just how much fun a game of the imagination can be. We’ve become a society so accustomed to having the visuals created for us, that I worry sometimes that we may lose the ability to imagine it for ourselves.

This week, we aren’t playing Dungeons and Dragons - but we are learning a skill that I mastered through the game. After the students create maps, they imagine their story. The prompt (for those who need the extra help) is a small corked bottle. They imagine a character in their world who has found the bottle, and discovered a secret message inside. Is it a cry for help? A time-capsule from a disappeared society? Or something sinister? The important thing, is that this message will take them on a quest.

I have one more class after today, and will miss coming to the school. We’ve had lots of fun, and created some great stories.

Out With A Bang

Sun, 2 Jan 2011 20:47:41 -0800

Welcome to 2011!

While every year has its possibilities, I find it equally important to remember the great things that happened during the previous year. Here are my highlights.

One of the best parts of 2011 was the release of my first sports book, Flying Feet. To kick it off, I went to the Sunshine Coast to the Powell River Writer’s Conference. It was a great way to give the book a “soft” launch (sort of a practice launch), and also to meet some fun people.

This is me with author Sylvia Taylor.

In May, I took a trip to New York where I introduced Flying Feet at Book Expo America. I took this trip with many friends and fellow authors, including Lee Edward Fodi, kc dyer and Adrienne Kress. This was very much a dream come true.

In June I officially launched Flying Feet in Burnaby, at the Cameron Rec Centre. Peak Performance was there to give a martial arts demo, and I delivered a speech to a packed house.

The summer was filled with writing camps, one of which was the Penticton Youth Write camp. It was my second time there, with fellow writers Lee Edward Fodi, kc dyer,
and Kallie George.

This photo was our attempt at a “James and the Giant Peach” joke. The “giant peach” you see in the background is actually a fast food kiosk in Penticton down by the beach.

Staying in Vancouver during 2010 were two German ladies who became good friends of mine, Britta and Annett. They’ve since returned to their homeland, but during their stay they were a big part of my life.

This is Annett putting me in the stocks at a Renaissance Festival in Langley, during the hot month of August.

In August I also took a trip to Winnipeg, so that I could launch Flying Feet in style at McNally Robinson Booksellers. This was very cool, because many moons ago I worked in the children’s section at that store - dreaming of the day that something I wrote would be on their shelf.

This is a photo of me and the staff, my ex-coworkers, at McNally’s.

August was a busy month of really fun activities. In Stanley Park, I did a reading for the Summer Dream Literary Arts Festival. One of the coolest things happened that day, when a fellow visiting from Winnipeg who happened to go to the tae kwon do school I went to as a teenager, happened by my reading. He recognized my book, and remembered that I had gone to Kang’s Academy. This was completely a coincidence, so he took the opportunity to introduce himself to me.

In September I spoke at the Word On The Street festival at Library Square in downtown Vancouver. They had asked me to do a martial arts demonstration, but the stage was almost a 2x4 piece of wood.

I spoke at the Surrey International Writer’s Conference in October. This was taken while on a panel for social media, with Sean Cranbury and Arthur Slade. I also did a workshop on world building, and met some great people.

The workshops I did throughout the year for schools, libraries, the Creative Writing for Children Society and Place des Arts were a big part of making my time great in 2010. We did everything from creating mad scientist characters, to building worlds, to making papercraft characters.

During 2010 I continued with my tae kwon do training at Peak Performance in Coquitlam. I was very on and off this year, but no matter how many times I thought I’d quit I was always brought back by the amazing people with whom I train.

One of the more adventurous things I tried this year was escrima, or Filipino stick fighting. This was Lee and I goofing around with the sticks, as I tried to remember something that I had learned. This was one of the hardest things I ever tried to learn.

2011 has a lot to live up to, considering how fantastic 2010 was!

Authors Galore

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 12:52:56 -0700

One of the best things about the fall season are all the book events happening around town. Vancouver is one of the richest I have seen for childrens/YA authors, and we are not shy about sharing our stories.

One of the events happening this month is the annual CWILL Hycroft event at the very swanky Hycroft manor. This is one of the few times a year when I wear my suit, and this year I get to be there promoting Flying Feet.

Come meet some great authors and illustrators!

Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Time: Doors open at 6:00pm | program begins at 6:30pm
Admission: Free
Location: Hycroft Manor – 1489 McRae Avenue (off 16th Ave. at Granville St) in beautiful Vancouver, BC!

Another fantastic event that’s happening is the launch of Leslie Buffam’s newest book! She co-wrote it with Sarah Harvey, aka the editor of Flying Feet. Leslie is a coworker of mine at the fantabulous Vancouver Kidsbooks, and a very talented historian.

As well, favourite authorsLois Peterson, Ellen Schwartz, Diane Tullson and Melanie Jackson will be launching their newest books. You won’t find a better place to become inspired!

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010
Time: Doors open at 7:00pm
Admission: Free
Location: Vancouver Kidsbooks (3083 West Broadway)

Two Conferences

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:10:55 -0700

Considering I just spent an hour and a half on a panel with Arthur Slade and Sean Cranbury on social media, I should probably update my blog.

As many of you know, I don’t update the blog very often - but I am a Facebook Fiend. It’s just my preference to update everyone on how things are going, except when there’s something as big as the Surrey International Writers’ Conference.

First, yesterday. While working a table for Vancouver Kidsbooks, I played double-duty and spoke to the BCTELA about ways they can bring creativity to their classrooms. I spoke with friends and teaching partners Lee Edward Fodi and Kallie George. The talk seemed to go over very well, and we all had a fun time talking about something we are very passionate about - teaching creative writing.

Now, onto SiWC. This is a fantastic conference, and I am lucky to be a part of it. Of course, like in publishing, luck is only a small part of it. Preparedness for when luck strikes is key. I was asked last minute to stand in for an author who couldn’t make it, and because I can provide quality workshops at the drop of a hat - preparedness - I said yes.

The best part of being here, I will ashamedly admit, is that I get a hotel room to stay in. A hotel room that is a 15-minute drive from my house, but here I have someone come in every morning and clean up after me. They make my bed, put away my toiletries, and change my garbage. It’s awesome.

The second best part is meeting fantastic people with like-minded interests. I am learning to maybe cut down on the zombie chatter (especially when I am seated at a table with romance writers) but mostly people seem pretty happy to meet me.

Anyway, expect another update soon.