LPwords - Hanging out with words

Adventures of a Mudlark #3 - Process

2011-07-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

Because I often get new ideas when I'm supposed to be committed to one WIP, I use the following process to 'capture' new ideas, establish some kind of file, and have something to start with when I pick up the project. 1. For each new project I start a notebook - usually just a simple 72-page Hilroy exercise book. This is where I record plot notes, reference materials, passing ideas,

Adventures of a Mudlark # 2- Research

2011-06-29T22:00:00.002-07:00

A Victorian-era street from Spitalfields LifeIf a plot is, as someone said, `Just one thing after another,` research could be defined as following one lead that leads to the next that leads to the next... Here's a list of a few of the books and websites I've been immersed in lately as I explore Victorian-era London. You can probably deduce from this list that it's working class and poor

Adventures of a Mudlark #1- Connections

2011-06-25T13:09:00.002-07:00

The mudlark, generally restricted to Australia and New Zealand It never fails that when I'm working on one story (right now a YA historical novel called THE ROUGH DRESS) I get ideas for another. So I thought that it might be interesting to use my blog as a way to record the process, and pin some of the thoughts and ideas on the page without/before actually committing to writing what might become

And the winners are...

2011-06-15T06:30:00.001-07:00

To launch my newsletter, I offered a contest in which anyone who commented on the first issue would have their name entered for a book prize. And dozens of entries later, the winners are: Madison Garbish, who wins a copy of SILVER RAIN. Anne McDowell who wins a copy of THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW for her two sons. Peyton Lohnes who also wins a copy of THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW And for all

Writing for a good cause

2011-06-13T11:05:00.002-07:00

Perhaps because of my ten-year+ experience in fundraising, I'm often asked for advice on how to market/fund production of cause-related books. These are books, often on medical topics, that are designed to help children understand and cope with new situations in their lives - diabetes, autism, hospital visits, loss of a family member or pet...And many people wanting to produce these books

Pass it on

2011-06-10T17:02:00.012-07:00

I enjoyed a whistle stop visit to Jessie Lee Elementary School in Surrey today to deliver a load of books donated by Vancouver-area writer Julie Burtinshaw. These were titles on the longlist of the Red Cedar Awards, of which she is a judge, and she was looking for a good home for them after her judging duties were over. I didn't have time to stop and visit with librarian Dawne Murray. When I

School and library visits

2011-06-01T15:39:00.021-07:00

The end of the school year is as good a time as any to review what I have learned over the past two+ years of author visits (and 30 years of storytelling, library programs and schooltours.) Here are a few things that have worked for me, followed by a few additional resources for those just getting into it. Develop an idea of the central intent of presentations. Mine is ‘To present an overview

International Children's Book Day

2011-04-02T09:50:00.009-07:00

And what better day to blog, after not having done so for too long. The world of children's books changed for me in 2007 when I started writing them. But I grew up in a family where books were important, was read to from a very early age, and found refuge in them in my years at boarding school.Later I started working in libraries (Battersea Park Library, London, England in the late-60s, and

Family Literacy

2011-01-27T12:59:00.013-08:00

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I was thrilled today to learn that my first book MEETING MISS 405 is included on the Canadian Children's Book Centre's list of recommended books to celebrate Family Literacy Day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------....which gets me thinking

Books of the Month Club December 2010

2010-12-04T15:06:00.008-08:00

It's been a long few months of very little reading, not enough writing, and too much work.And with a move pending, things won't change for a while. But the to-read pile beside my bed (the only place I read these days) is slowly diminishing, and here are a few of what I've been dipping into lately.By Nightfall by Michael CunninghamI admit to being baffled by this one. I loved The Hours, but this

Christmas Contest - win a book

2010-11-28T14:46:00.008-08:00

Christmas ContestIf you'd like to win a copy of the limited edition A STAR IN THE WATER - the sequel to MEETING MISS 405 - or SILVER RAIN, it's as easy as 1-2-3.1. Send me an email to loispeterson@hotmail.com.2. Tell me which book you'd hope to receive. Include your mailing address so I can send you the book if your name is drawn as the winner.3. Hit Send and keep your fingers crossed.To hedge

SILVER RAIN book launch

2010-10-17T17:45:00.023-07:00

To use a totally inappropritae metaphor, SILVER RAIN was launched yesterday on a tide of good wishes from friends, work colleagues, writing peers, readers, longstanding friends and new and walk-in vistors. Now we'll see how well the winds carry it from booksellers' hands to readers.The lovely venue of the White Rock Arthur Murray Dance studio awaits the audience.Grant O'Kane was very generous in

Notes from a Bad Blogger

2010-10-14T08:11:00.014-07:00

View of The Needles from Tennyson Down headland, Isle of Wight (IOW) The south coast between Freshwater and Ventnor 68 miles of coastal paths, more than 500 public footpaths all over the 150+-square mile Island - a walker's paradise.Life, work, travels, family.... how they do cut into the time a person could spend blogging.Very busy times right now with final edits on my spring 2011 book (BEYOND

The Silver Rain Grab Bag

2010-07-14T18:50:00.007-07:00

Suitcases feature in my novel SILVER RAIN. Who knows if Father took one when he left the family. But Elsie sees mother pack hers and is deeply suspicious of what goes inside it. And she and Scoop carry Mother's suitcase and Uncle Dannell's duffel home as the story ends.So when I went looking for something to carry books and notebooks and bandannas and bookmarks and jacks, etc. in for school and

Old Friends, new books to read

2010-07-13T20:35:00.008-07:00

Yesterday I enjoyed presenting SILVER RAIN to reps and booksellers at the second of two authors breakfast that made up part of this week's Vancouver Book Fair, hosted by the Western Book Reps Association. I was one of four authors presenting today: Robert J. Wiersema, John Gould, Robert Bateman and myself.I was thrilled to see John on the same program. I first met him many years ago in the days

Books of the Month Club - July 2010

2010-07-04T16:16:00.009-07:00

August 1, 2011 Big news this month is that Orca Book Publishers has picked up STALKER to be published spring 2011 in their Currents series. Busy at work with various grant deadlines, and prospect research for our new Kensington Prairie Childcare Centre (based on the Emilio Reggio model) that opens Jan 2011. And at home trying to tie up a couple of WIPs prior to getting stuck into some personal

Books of the month club - June 2010

2010-07-04T06:46:00.018-07:00

One of my bookshelves July 2010I don't read as much as I'd like. The time I can find to keep up on all the wonderful books that are being published / promoted / recommended / required research reading is done in bed -early in the morning with my first cup of tea while my husband is at the gym, and in the evening before I put the lights out.Not enough to keep up, but just enough to feel like I'm

Toronto, May 2010 - the full story

2010-05-22T13:31:00.022-07:00

Now I've had the chance to sit back and reflect...I enjoyed a truly wonderful trip to Toronto in May to visit schools and libraries, and to participate in the Silver Birch Express portion of OLA Festival of Trees event, in which my first children's book MEETING MISS 405 was a nominee.Too little time/energy to blog on the road. But here are the highlights.The Bond Place Hotel, just around the

Toronto highlights #1 - Monday

2010-05-10T03:10:00.007-07:00

Travel reading: Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer HaighLibrary booksale copy... so I don't have to worry about leaving it on the subway or packing it home with me.Untroubled flight and arrival in TO yesterday. Unpacked and settled into my room, and twelve hours later have yet to discover what I forgot to bring along with me. But I will. .. okay, yes. A mug. Styrofoam cup in the hotel room with the mini

Silver Rain cover preview

2010-05-03T17:26:00.008-07:00

Big excitement this week to get a preview of the cover of SILVER RAIN (Fall 2010, Orca Book Publishers.)I'm thrilled with it. Esp. as it comes nowhere near the idea of what I thought it might look like, but does, to me convey both the period and something of the theme of the book.Kudos to Teresa at Orca for the concept and the execution.----Prepping to packDuring the six years I was at boarding

Chow Time

2010-04-11T20:16:00.016-07:00

Maggie B, Vancouver Kidsbooks bookseller extraordinaire listens intentlyIt doesn't seem to matter whether it's a family reunion, office potluck, or book launch, wherever there's food there's usually someone asking, "Can I have that recipe?"So it was on Saturday at the launch of THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW.I always figure that whenever you throw a party, there should be food. So for this event I

Is all news good news?

2010-04-01T19:59:00.006-07:00

Today I spent part of the day at work drafting a marketing style guide.Under P for Proofreading, I suggested that someone not involved with the original work be recruited to proofread any document intended for public consumption - esp. details such as dates, times, names...It's happened to us all - we spend hours on writing a report, news release, grant application, and under the stress of

Two in the hand

2010-03-22T21:21:00.008-07:00

A bumper crop of books arrived this week... plus a boxful of bookmarks to help promote them.THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW is a Young Reader for children ages six to nine, published by Orca Book Publishers.I'm busy practising my lassoing in time for the cowboy-themed launch on Saturday, April 10. (Doesn't matter how many times I write it, that word 'lassoing' just looks wrong.) A STAR IN THE WATER

And the ladies of the club

2010-03-08T13:46:00.006-08:00

Today is International Women's Day.Dundern Press Tweeted the question, who's your Canadian heroine?I was able to answer than in a heartbeat: June Callwood. Writer, social activist, and someone I had the chance to meet twice, and who I might 'credit' for one of the of speeding tickets I've ever received.I was driving her to the airport after a conference presentation, quite caught up in her

Love that fan mail

2010-03-02T16:46:00.005-08:00

Today in my email Inbox:Subject: Letter to Lois PatersonHi my name is < > I I live in Toronto Iive < > and the school I go to is < >.I am 8 years old and I am in grade three.I loved the book meeting miss 405 that you wrote.It was awesome,and fantastic.I loved that Tansy did not know that the lady whow took care of her was a great writer.The most funny part for me was that each time someone would

Knuckles launch - menu suggestions, anyone?

2010-02-24T17:36:00.003-08:00

Love Orca's slugline for this book.'Home on the Range' is more than just a song.The launch is scheduled.Venue booked.Poster almost done.Ten dozen bandanas bought.Booksetter confirmed.Now, any suggestions of what to add to the refreshments menu, given that the event will have a cowboy theme (wear your cowboy hats and spurs!)So far - Wagon Wheels and cornbread are on my list.

Shop-Cook-Eat-Share

2010-02-17T18:23:00.002-08:00

I've now moved postings about eating and cooking, at home and 'abroad' to their own blog at http://shop-cook-eat-share.blogspot.com.I hope to see you there.Comment! Suggest! Become a follower!

Diversifying

2010-02-09T19:01:00.009-08:00

These days we spend a lot of time shopping, reading labels, trying to find the balance between local and organic, cheap and nourishing. So I've added a new Page to this blog. Check it out. It's call Shop - Cook - Eat - Share and from time to time I'll include musings on one or more of those categories.My first post is on cranberries and borscht. Maybe the my next one should be on Velvet Cake, if

MEETING MISS 405... continued

2010-01-11T13:03:00.007-08:00

I'll be publishing A STAR THE WATER, the companion book to MEETING MISS 405 this spring. Kids love feeling like insiders, being the first to preview a book by a well-known author, or being only one of a few who have a copy of something special. So STAR will be published in a very limited edition, and will only be available to students, readers, and school and public libraries where I do author

Cover for Knuckles McGraw

2010-01-07T11:03:00.009-08:00

I was thrilled to see that once again artist Peter Ferguson created the cover for my upcoming book, THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW.This second Young Reader for Orca Book Publishers is due out April 2010. Meanwhile the publisher will soon be distributing ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) to teachers, librarians, reviewers and booksellers.In the next few months I expect to begin edits on ELSIE AND THE

Introducing my grandson

2009-12-26T12:31:00.006-08:00

Cooper Earle Johnstonborn Dec. 18, 2009to Holly and Brad Johnston, Nanaimo, BC.And a few days, later, dozing on Dad's chest.In 'my day', we stayed in hospital for five days, waited for the hospital photographer to come around on about the third day, then waited a couple of weeks for the mail to arrive with said - very expensive - pics. Then mailed them to all and sundry. ("Just look at her!"

Remember, remember

2009-11-05T06:33:00.005-08:00

Remember remember the fifth of NovemberGunpowder, treason and plotI know of no reason why gunpowder, treason, should ever be forgot.Today's is Guy Fawkes Day. Bonfire Night as they call it in England.It conjures up the smell of bonfires in damp back gardens, crisp leaves underfoot, warm gloves and hat, the smell of cocoa - slightly scorched, the cold seeping through my coat as I sat on the back

NOMINATED!

2009-10-26T07:54:00.006-07:00

It was a challenge this weekend to spend so long in the company of so many writers knowing that my book MEETING MISS 405 had been nominated for OLA's 2010 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award - and not be able to say a word.Until today.But now it's official.I'm right chuffed, thrilled, and excited at the prospect of participating in the Forest of Reading festivities at Harbourside in

SiWConference round-up

2009-10-25T16:09:00.006-07:00

Surrey International Writers' ConferenceOct. 23 - 25, 2009HIGHLIGHTSBrilliant organization, scads of energetic volunteers, a wonderful array of presenters and collegial participants.Bumping into participants and presenters who I may only see once a year, but am always glad to spend time with, learning what's new in the business, who's doing what, and what they've been up to in the intervening

Where do ideas come from?

2009-10-15T06:39:00.005-07:00

Ideas can be hard to keep up with.I collect 'germs' (things I see, hear, wonder, read about, etc.) that I throw onto a 'compost heap' (put in a notebook or a new file in my computer), then later 'work over' using Natalie Goldberg's Writing Practise process when I get the time or am in the mood, to see what shoots emerge.Yesterday and todayOur local paper featured a couple celebrating their 65

Knuckles McGraw cover well taken care of

2009-10-13T18:20:00.005-07:00

Doing the final edits on the Ballad of Knuckles McGraw (Orca spring 2010), I read in the front matter that Peter Ferguson is illustrating the cover, as he did for Meeting Miss 405. Last time, after opening the box with the proofs, and being surprised to find a copy of the cover enclosed, my first thought was, 'But that's not what I had in mind." And almost immediately, my second thought was, "

Ready to Write Prompt #2

2009-10-12T10:32:00.005-07:00

1. Select one person you know well - a friend, colleague, child, mother...Don't take too long deciding who and what.2. Now, for three minutes, without taking you hand from the page, write whatever comes to mind when you think of that feature. 3. When you've done that, imagine the hands of an imaginary man - someone you've never seen, met, or planned in your writing.4. And now, going wherever the

Ready to Write Prompt #1

2009-10-12T10:04:00.007-07:00

As a follow-up to yesterday's Writing From Life workshop, several students decided that getting regular writing prompts might keep them going.I doubt I'd be able to provide them daily, but I'm offering them 3 or 4 times a week (with the offer of occasionally 'critiquing' one of the pieces that result).Guidelines for using these the prompts:1. Don't read the prompt until you're ready to write.2.

Workshop: WRITIING FROM LIFE Oct. 10 in White Rock, BC

2009-09-30T11:24:00.003-07:00

Writing from Life involves exploring your family stories, past experiences, knowledge, skills and interests for germs for fiction, non fiction, poetry and memoir.Writing from Life involves rooting out the resonant themes in your life to use in all kinds of writing projects for adults or children.Writing from Life involves digging deep for details than can be incorporated into stories, poems, and

BC Unchained - Day Three

2009-09-12T19:41:00.007-07:00

Williams Lake - Barkerville - Wells - QuesnelCoffee on the road at the only place we saw between WL & Quesnel, with only one other customer eating breakfast, leaving his idea of his 'hybrid' outside. Loved the miles of farmland before the Quesnel turn off to Barkerville, then the long hour driving between trees, past Wells - after a quick stop at the Quesnel Farmer's market for carrots, crabapple

BC Unchained - Day Two

2009-09-11T17:34:00.007-07:00

Coffee Shops, bear cubs and caprisI guess farmer’s markets are the epitome of buying local. Although all I could find at the Lillooet one today was a very comfy pair of capris ($5!), the perfect traveling pants. I was in search of fresh carrots, but there was only one produce stall with bunches of basil and flowers - and no carrots.Look interesting? But best avoided.Not a Starbucks or Timmy’s in

BC Unchained - Day One

2009-09-10T19:38:00.011-07:00

DAY ONE: Mountains, mushrooms and malls...Mountains are everywhere in BC, and on every side as we traveled 650 km from White Rock to Lillooet.We had a picnic lunch at Murrin Lake Park where we found a fungi straight out of a children's storybook, and watched a man flyfishing alone in the middle of the lake.We then carried on along the much-improved Sea to Sky Highway - other than an unexpected

BC Unchained... liftoff minus one day

2009-09-09T19:43:00.004-07:00

Just as soon as the clothes are packed and the fridge cleaned out and the bikes brought up from the underground parking and the balcony plants watered and moved out of the sun and I remember how to remotely leave a message on my work phone that I won't be back for two weeks and I've saved the files I need to take to my laptop and my to-do list has been checked once, then again and we've had good

Road Trip - BC Unchained

2009-08-16T15:23:00.008-07:00

Just 26 sleeps until we set out on our road trip of BC.We've dubbed it BC Unchained, as the goal - wherever possible - is to eschew all chain hotels, restaurants, and grocery stores, and shop local wherever and whenever possible.We have no set itinerary, other than to leave home on Sept. 10, setting out in the direction of Pemberton. After that, we will take whichever fork in the road most

25 trees celebrate an anniversary and help the environment

2009-08-14T14:48:00.012-07:00

Surrey Public Library's Library Grove Planting day, Oct. 2, 2008 (Photo: Michael Ho) In 2008, planning its 25th anniversary year, and as one of the initiatives of its Green Committee, Surrey Public Library came up with the idea of creating Library Grove – a planting of 25 trees in a local park to recognize the value of trees in the library’s collections and of their value to the

SCWBI LA Conference round-up, part 2

2009-08-12T14:37:00.010-07:00

Good to know my previous post proved useful. Here are a few more tips gleaned from my scribbles.(Edited to add that Debbie Ohi, aka Inkygirl is also posting gleanings from her time at the SCWBI. Check it out http://www.inkygirl.com/ )One. Openings.This may be your only/best chance to grab the editor's/agent's/reader's attention. These five elements of a strong opening came from a workshop by

SCWBI LA conference round-up

2009-08-11T15:12:00.011-07:00

While I could not possibly reproduce the depth and breath of the information I picked up at this week's LA conference of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - and doubt I'll get around to decoding the full notebook of scribbled notes I came home with any time soon - these are the top ten points I thought I'd share with anyone who might be interested in children's books - as a

Summer memories 6 - Perranporth Cornwall

2009-07-29T06:38:00.008-07:00

Perranporth beach, Cornwall 1. Wet sand between my toes2. The roar of surf in the distance3. A blur of colour - buckets and spades and windmills and flip flops garlanded around a shop door.4. My first watch on my 9th birthday from the small jeweler by the park.5. Creeping around Dad who was watching cricket in the darkened living room - our first TV.6. My sister and I standing in

Balancing Act - a poem

2009-07-20T18:22:00.005-07:00

Kirkuk 1959 She did learn to spitBut only after she had learnedto walk along the craggy garden pathcarrying stones on her head.She was soon able to walkbarefoot back straight head held highwithout rattling the stonesin the pan from her mother's scales.When they grew upher friends wanted to be nursesor teachersor just like their mothers.She wanted to carry waterin a brass ewer on her headwithout

Summer memories 5

2009-07-12T14:05:00.005-07:00

Locusts - always the locusts...Walking around the garden balancing a pan filled with stones on my headWatching women walk along the street with clothes, food, wood.. balanced on their head.Men with tweed jackets over the dishdashas feeding their worry beads through their fingers as they sat over chai in the street cafesWomen in purdah, showing only their bejewelled fingers, sailing down the

Summer memories 4

2009-07-12T13:55:00.004-07:00

Mothers on the verandah holding sweating glasses of iced coffee to their necks.Martin Sims and I hiding in the rhodos while the mothers chatted on the verandah - appalled and delighted when we heard one of them say the word 'bosom'James Menhinnick (he of the handlebar moustache) yelling 'Hold onto your hats' as he drove like a madman across the desert inhis open Jeep.Popping bubbles in the

Summer Memories 3

2009-07-12T08:16:00.008-07:00

Toes gripping the rough edge of the diving boardCoke floatsShopping for weekly candy allowance at the little shop known only as 'The Assyrian's'Zayah high in the mish mish (apricot) tree, shaking the fruit looseWatching the movie Pollyanna from an open air rooftop cinema in the middle of town, horns blaring all aroundThe smell of plastic 'poppa' beads extracted from a box of Tide laundry

Summertime memories 2

2009-07-10T12:06:00.008-07:00

HoopoeMore summertime memories of growing up in Kirkuk and Basra, IraqLooking up from supper on the verandah to see a hoopoe in the bushes.The flurry of coloured rosettes on the wheels of passing bicycles.The glow of the brazier where the man poured roasted melon seeds and chick peas into paper cones.Oil flares belching out smoke and fire as we drove across the desert in the dark.The bitter lemon

Summertime memories

2009-07-10T11:33:00.008-07:00

Working on my kids' novel Return of the Summer Fish, very loosely based on spending a number of years in Iraq as a child... combined with a reading I attended last week by Natalie Goldberg, promoting her new book Old Friend From Far Away, and I came up with the idea of brainstorming a list of memories, 10-12 a day all summer (every day felt like summer then - the unending heat, shorts and rubber

Summer Reading in Surrey

2009-05-26T21:44:00.005-07:00

Planning early for some kind of literary activity over the summer. And I'm quite proud of the poster design, too.

Nominated

2009-05-13T14:41:00.007-07:00

One of the few things I've ever won was a bottle of sherry from a jumble sale bottle stall. I was about nine. "You won't be needing that," said my uncle, who promptly relieved me of it.He said he'd pay me ten shillings for it (this was in about 1960), but I don't think he ever did. But I do believe he put a hex on me, ensuring I never won anything else again.But today I heard that my first

Meet a real kids' author - in fact, 32 of them!

2009-04-07T18:02:00.003-07:00

CWILL BC (Children's Writers and Illustrators of BC)presentsSPRING BOOK HATCHING32 authors ~ Door prizes ~ Book signing ~ Book sales ~ Presentations~ Win an author visit to your school ~Saturday, May 2, 1-3 p.m.Vancouver Public LIbrary, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia (I'll be there - do drop by my table...)

Writers mentoring program launched - finally

2009-03-25T13:52:00.002-07:00

After a couple of years of thinking about it, research, and tentative explorations, I'm finally ready to promote: Take Five - a writing mentorship program that starts Sept 2009 in the Surrey/Delta/Langley area of BC. This pilot project will match five new/emerging (unpublished) writers with five experienced (published) ones who for five months will help them refine their craft, develop marketing

When a picture is worth more than a thousand words

2009-03-11T10:02:00.006-07:00

Non writers often want to know, "Where do ideas for stories come from?" Here's one example in my files:This is said to be a picture of a house built into the cliffs of Portcurno Beach on the south coast of Cornwall.Despite my best efforts, since I ran across this photo a couple of years ago, I've been unable to confirm that it was in fact taken there, or indeed find anything more about it other

While I'm away...

2009-03-09T02:30:00.008-07:00

An interview with me appears on the 'Darby Speaks' blog here: http://awalkthroughawindow.blogspot.com/This blog celebrates KC Dyer's new book A Walk Through a Window published recently by Doubleday Canada. A thrill for time travelers who love a good yarn and a little Canadian history enroute! Check out the blog for a chance to win a copy of my book, and a bag of wine gums!I am also the featured

It's official!

2009-02-18T13:27:00.006-08:00

My second children's book, working title The Ballad of Knuckles McGraw, will be published by Orca Book Publishers in Spring, 2010.I'm looking forward to working with editor Sarah Harvey again (herself a fine writer, author of The Lit Report, The West Is Calling, Bull's Eye and Puppies on Board.)And I love being published by Orca - whether I'm talking to teachers, librarians or bookseller about my

Writer's Block - or not

2009-02-16T13:51:00.005-08:00

It never fails that when I can set aside a day - a whole day from morn until night to write - something happens. Today I am bedeviled by a great reluctance to write.I don't like to call it writer's block - since when you name something you own it - and I don't believe in it. (Being one of those people who glibly say that writers' block can only happen to those who aren't writing- so write, dammit

February already?

2009-02-08T19:43:00.006-08:00

I know that I've not posted here for almost a month - I wonder if it's better to post something, anything, even if there's really little to report. Or save it for when there's real news?Opinions seem to be divided.But I can update my annual goal wordcount - the idea was to write 1,000 new words a day, and as of last night I'm at 35,000 words since January 1. A little under, but still pounding

Talking 'Bout a Resolution

2009-01-10T11:42:00.005-08:00

I've got the Beatles songs on the brain after watching 'Across the Universe' for the umpteenth time. (Don't you just love that word 'umpteenth'? According to Merriam Webster, it means 'very many' or 'indefinitely numerous', first documented use 1918 - a fact that alone gives me the shivers...)If you've seen the movie, which scene do you prefer? The chilling induction scenes with the puppet-like

My mother's cards

2008-12-25T18:02:00.009-08:00

For a long time, every year at Christmas my mother made me a card, often lettered in my father's lovely hand. Over the years I've received 22 of Mum's cards - but there was no new one this year. At 84 she is not sewing as much as she used to (she received her City and Guilds when I was a teenager and is a very accomplished fabric artist and canvas work designer). I bring out the cards every year

First ten titles on my must-read list for 2009

2008-12-24T08:18:00.004-08:00

That didn't take long. A post from Linda Joy Singleton has given me a list of reading that should keep me busy for the next ten weeks. Her top ten books are:Little Brother by Cory DoctorowSavvy by Ingrid LawGraceling by Kristin CashoreHunger Games by Suzanne CollinsCabinet of Wonders by Mari RutkoskiLittle (Grrl) Lost by Charles de LintThe Magic Thief by Sarah PrineasInto the Wild by Sara Beth

I'm making a list...a Book a Week for 2009

2008-12-23T20:18:00.003-08:00

I'm casting around for recommended reading for 2009. My goal is to read one kids' book a week. My reading is often pretty random - usually books I review for Resource Links, those recommended by my past colleagues at the library, and new titles by kids' writers I know. I'm wanting to compile a reading list for 2009 of juvenile literature including MG fiction, picture books and YA (no graphic

Reviews from all over

2008-12-01T15:54:00.003-08:00

All writers live for reviews - even if they try not to care.Reviews come from all over - in professional journals written by teachers and librarians who understand what kids need and want in their reading. Such as Quill and Quire and School Library Journal.In review journals (print and/or online) written by teachers, librarians, readers and writers written for teachers, librarians, readers and

Book signings and sightings

2008-11-29T16:25:00.002-08:00

I've heard of book signing sessions where you're lucky if even your mother shows up and you sell more than a couple of books.Well, my mother is too far away (but I'd know she'd have been there in a shot if she could ). But there was a nice steady flow of interested people this afternoon when I spent a couple of hours at my local branch of the independent booksellers Black Bond Books.And sold 14

You've got mail!

2008-11-19T20:08:00.010-08:00

I wonder if, with even two - five - eight books, authors still get a thrill from hearing from kids after school presentations.I got such a kick when I got home today to find a thick wad of letters from students at Windermere Elementary, where I visited just a few weeks ago. Some were illustrated. Some talked about Meeting Miss 405, while others mentioned the story that I retold from the one

A lion and a cupcake

2008-11-17T20:45:00.016-08:00

A highlight of my book launch day on November 1 was the morning storytelling workshop for kids. 12 enthusiastic youngsters drew, acted out being lions and cupcakes, brainstormed, and collectively came up with The Chronicles of Kendra, the Lion, and PLOP!(It took a vote to come up with the title!)It was thrilling to see the kids so engaged and enthusiastic, full of great ideas, but willing to

Home again, home again

2008-11-09T08:25:00.005-08:00

Home last night, after a short flight from Calgary.Energized by all the wonderful presentations and ideas drifting around at the Kaleidoscope Conference. Most inspiring were those by Jack Zipes whose approach to storytelling as a way to build community and expand children's confidence in themselves and their own stories has given me lots of think about and work on as I present to children and

Road trip - Day Six: Kaleidoscope

2008-11-07T06:39:00.004-08:00

Kaleidoscope Children's Literature Conference 9 More than 700 librarians, teachers, teacher-librarians, authors and illustrators and children's lit experts are gathered to talk about and celebrate Canadian Children's Literature.Last night Ron Job gave a wide ranging presentation about the achievements and challenges of the children's literature field in Canada today. Great visuals, a few self=

On the Road - Day 5: Blog and Launch promo

2008-11-06T08:30:00.007-08:00

Thrilled today to note that Orca mentioned my book launch and this blog on its website. I'm packed and ready for the three-hour drive to Calgary. Bright skies, crisp and cool with views all around. We'll be making lots of stops for pics, I bet!Kaleidoscope next!

On the Road - Day 4

2008-11-05T16:26:00.004-08:00

LP with Principal Jill Jensen and Windermere Elementary studentsHectic day with a morning presentation to 95 elementary school students in the morning and two large groups of Grade 11s and 12s in the afternoon. Lots of participation from various children in the morning, plus some good questions about MM405 and the whole writing process. It's a small school with a close feeling, and in front of

On the Road - Days 3 & 4

2008-11-05T07:27:00.005-08:00

Left: Dave's Book Bar, InvermereEnjoyed the day wandering around Invermere. Coffee at Gerry's Gelato (I hear Gerry is a mayoral candidate in the upcoming municipal election), popped into Dave's Book Bar to let them know I was in town. What a wonderland hidden behind the rather utilitarian storefront. Books, of course, and interestingly and well arranged and displayed. Furniture, gifts, cards,

On the Road - Days 1 & 2

2008-11-04T07:58:00.002-08:00

Pictures to be added laterDay OneSurrey to RevelstokeRained until Kamloops, but made such good time we decided to keep going as far as Revelstoke. Easy driving and just getting dark as we arrived in R. First hotel we tried takes dogs, so Eileen, my driver friend, Nugget and I checked in and soon headed out for supper at the nearby Denny's. Words cannot describe the awful meal we ate there

Launched!

2008-10-30T20:57:00.021-07:00

(Posted Sat. November 1 at 6 pm.)I officially launched Meeting Miss 405 earlier today, with a full house of about 75 writing buddies, friends, family, and well-wishers.During the launch I did get a little Academy Award-ish when it came to recognizing my daughter Holly and her husband who had come all the way from Nanaimo (the book is dedicated to her; as a child the first thing she read in any

Post-conference tips and musings

2008-10-26T17:54:00.007-07:00

The Surrey International Writing Conference is all over for another year.A flare up of arthritis in my back left me wincing my way through this weekend's conference. Hard to sit still for long. Or stand. But thanks to the energizing company of new friends and old, lots of new writing-related insights, one sudden flash of a new idea, and a couple of good long soaks in the hotel hot tub, I made it

Surrey Conference Tips - the final one

2008-10-23T09:02:00.004-07:00

With less than 24 hours until the official opening of the Conference (although some participants are already sharpening their pencils for the Masterclasses today) I will officially admit defeat. My goal of reaching at least 30 conference tips was not achieved, but I do hope that those I posted were of a help to some conference-goers.So for my last tip #24For anything not covered here - and if if

A little - or a lot - blatant self-promotion

2008-10-20T15:40:00.004-07:00

Got an email the other day from a student of mine, congratulating me on the local media coverage I'd got recently for my kids' book Meeting Miss 405 - a quarter page in the monthly library page promoting my book launch, two articles and one book review - and saying how lucky I am that the local press knows who I am and what I'm up to.The truth of it is, I had to tell her, they don't come to you -

Conference Tip #23 - Check Your Bags in Here

2008-10-20T15:23:00.003-07:00

Lisa Carson reminds us that it can be a risky thing to assume what your baggage allowance might be if you're flying in for the conference. Especially if you plan to return home with armfuls of books by all those wonderul presenters, in which case the extra bag suggested by some might just empty your wallet and max out your credit card when you reach the check in counter at YVR on your way

Surrey Conference Tip # 22 - Those Darn Doors!

2008-10-18T07:35:00.004-07:00

Presenters are used to people slipping in and out of their workshops enroute to and from editor/agent appointments. If you know you're going to have to leave, take a seat near the back to minimize disruption.And on the way in and out of those doors bear in mind that they have VERY audible latches. So if there's no conference monitor opening and closing it for you as you come and go, take a second

Conference Tip # 21 - Get Your Just Desserts

2008-10-15T15:06:00.006-07:00

I still have nine tips to go if I'm to meet my goal of 30...Tip #21 - Just DessertsYou'll find the conference food both plentiful and good if the past few years are anything to go by. (Be prepared to wait in line at the buffet table, and try not to leave your chair sticking out where plate-laden conference participants are likely to trip over them while you're waiting your turn.) Now this is

Conference tips #17 to 20

2008-10-11T10:29:00.004-07:00

The back's not better, so I might as well keep going...(PLease note that these tips were contributed by conference-goers and do not necessarily represent my views, nor are they the official views of the conference. But keep 'em coming...)#17: Re. laptops (this one comes from a surreywriters poster)A simple "Do you mind if I use my laptop?" is really sufficient, in my books. You have all paid the

The word is getting out

2008-10-11T10:20:00.003-07:00

All my marketing to the local media paid off. Over four weeks someone somewhere covered me and my book four times. The most recent was a review in the local NOW newspaper. This was especially nice to see as the reviewer covers everything from bestsellers to local self-pubbed stuff, and she said nice things about MM 405. Then, visiting the local Vancouver Kidsbooks to drop off the poster for my

Conference tips - to be continued

2008-10-06T16:35:00.002-07:00

I'm baling out of the conference tips business for a couple of days while I give my sore back a chance to recover with a bit of a break from the computer. Meanwhile, if you haven't already done so, check the conference website FAQ page for answers to some of the questions you might not have thought to ask. Normal service will resume shortly - my goal is still to get to 30 tips, at least. We're

Surrey Conference Tip #16 - The Scent of a Woman

2008-10-06T16:21:00.006-07:00

Surrey Conference Tip #16 The question about whether to wear perfume or not at the conference was answered today on the Conference Blog by Coordinator Karen Dyer, who suggests "Leave it at home. Close quarters, high allergy rates these days...it's just easier without. We love you just the way you smell naturally! (Maybe I should re-phrase that....)" While my conference tips are my opinion only,

Surrey Conference tip #15 - Pitches not always required

2008-10-05T21:54:00.003-07:00

Julie Ferguson offers tip #15.You don’t need to pitch a book to an editor or agent. If you have questions for them, just explain that you are not pitching but would like some info about……. or would like to discuss…….. or would like some advice. They will be delighted to have a conversation with you and, almost always, will assist you in ways you wouldn’t never anticipate. This is a great

Conference tips - twoferone contest

2008-10-04T19:23:00.002-07:00

Here's a challenge to keep those tips coming: One copy of 101 - and More - Writing Exercises to Get You Started & Keep You Going PLUS a copy of my kids' novel Meeting Miss 405 for the person who comes up with the most interesting, unusual or funky conference tip. Winner will be announced on the Monday following the conference and your books will be delivered soon after by Canada Post.Either post

Surrey Conference tip #14

2008-10-04T08:00:00.002-07:00

Tip #14 - And Now for Something Completely DifferentAlthough you may have signed up for the conference with a specific agenda in mind (to learn more about publishing novels, to explore the magazine market, to refine your poetry skills), take a chance with a workshop or panel discussion on something you might have no interest in at all. You may be surprised at what you learn, discover an affinity

Surrey Conference Tip #13 - Pick a card, any card

2008-10-03T11:47:00.005-07:00

Yikes! I missed a day!Tip # 13Reminder to self: If you have them, take a stack of business cards with you to the conference. They don't have to be fancy, just your name and full contact info. is all you need if you're doing any serious networking. If you have a book to promote, why not use the reverse side of the card for the full ordering information, including ISBN, so anyone wanting to has

It's a... dogwood

2008-10-02T15:33:00.007-07:00

A little damp, I just returned from helping to plant the tree I funded in Surrey Public Library's 25th anniversary Library Grove. It was an especially meaningful occasion as the project grew out of a conversation we had just over a year ago when I was part of the Library's Green Committee. And one of the last big projects I worked on before leaving my job as Development Officer with SPL. Finding

Surrey Conference Tip #12 - Dress code?

2008-10-01T21:20:00.007-07:00

Tip #12 - Dress code?New conference participants often look at the weekend's schedule of activities and worry or wonder about what kinds of attire is expected. The fact is, you might see conference-goers (and I'm talking agents, editors, panelists, organizers, keynote speakers, newbies, vendors, wannabes, experienced writers and conference veterans) sporting anything from sweat shirts to sequins,

With a lot of help from my friends

2008-10-01T16:38:00.006-07:00

Surrey Public Library - who I worked for for 31 years - has really come through to support my book and the launch. Last week they gave over a good chunk of their monthly Library Page in the paper to pitch them both. Then today the Library's graphic designer Namrit Uppal completed a poster to promote the November 1 activities. And for the icing on the cake, today the local paper ran this

Surrey Conference Tip #11

2008-10-01T07:03:00.004-07:00

A surreywriters listserv member weighed in with tip #11. When you browse through the books for sale, and you see a book you would like, pull out your wallet. At the last conference I attended, I saw several books I wanted. I got so busy that I never managed to getback to buy them--I have regretted it off and on for the past four years.Note: During the Conference, Chapters will be there selling

Surrey Conference tips 9 & 10

2008-09-30T08:46:00.006-07:00

Number Nine - Have manuscript, will travelIf you're staying at the hotel and are pitching a book, you might want to bring a copy of the manuscript to keep in your room. But few editors or agents, however interested they are in it, will want to take it away with them in their suitcase. They are more likely to give you their card, and tell you what they would like to see (complete proposal, query

Surrey Conference tips #s 7&8

2008-09-29T09:08:00.003-07:00

Tip # 7: Double up for twice the benefitConference Volunteer Coordinator Camille Netherton suggests that instead of heading to a workshop with a friend, purposefully go to different workshops, promise to take good notes and share handouts. This way you can get twice the good info!And while we`re on the topic of multiplication...Tip # 8: Take twice as many writing implements as you think you might

Conference tips #5 & 6 - Hit pause

2008-09-28T08:04:00.007-07:00

Today, two on related topics#5 comes from Ron Wodaski:What do you do when you find yourself tongue tied or, worse, gushing when you meet someone famous? Relax and enjoy it. It happens to me every year and I swear before I go, every time, I'm going to keep a level head. I never do. After a while it wears off, and you will find yourself having a nice conversation with that person. Just relax into

Surrey Conference Tips #3 & 4

2008-09-27T19:44:00.004-07:00

As tips from other people are coming in so thick and fast, I decided to post two today. If this keeps up, perhaps we'll hit the 50 mark by Oct. 24. Tip #3This one comes from Conference Bookseller Liaison Carmen Merrells. Sounds as if she's already planning her packing list, so this is for all those who like to plan their wardrobe in advance:Dress in layers. The wonky institutional airconditioning