2016-on-this-blog list

In many ways, 2016 was a unique year. You couldn't call this year 'Ann' or 'Mary'. You'd have to call it 'Pathan' or 'Sarren'. 

Snow on Mayne Island? Honestly? Snow on Mayne Island that lasts more than a couple of days? Really? But it sure does did  look pretty...

(LDyck 2017)

Okay, back on topic. 2016-on-this-blog list.

What did you like about this blog in 2016?

The 6 most popular posts...

1. (205 page views) Book review:  Shimmer by Paula Weston

2. (200 page views) Interview with Maggie de Vries
on being a multi-genre author

3. (174 page views) short story: Sarren's Curse:  part 1

4. (159 page views) workshop review:  Maggie de Vries' workshop

5. (149 page views) book review:  Burn by Paula Weston

6. (127 page views) article:  It's All Good
(127 page views) short story:  Lasting Love

What did I accomplish in 2016?

My skill level and confidence increased thanks to the input of my first readers and the information I gathered at workshops given by 

Maggie de Vries 

and

Jami Macarty

and from books such as Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul

For example, from Writing Picture Books, I learned to write short stories from the child's perceptive, that captures the reader's attention from the first paragraph.

My author journey is not always smooth. I get my fair share of rejection letters. Reading books such as Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert helped me maintain a positive attitude.

If destiny didn't want me to be a writer, I figure then it shouldn't have made me one. But it did make me one, and I've decided to meet that destiny with as much good cheer and as little drama as I can--because how I choose to handle myself as a writer is entirely my own choice... My ultimate choice...is to always approach my work from a place of stubborn gladness. -Elizabeth Gilbert

But the star of my writing year was Bim...

Dear Reader,

Thank you for spending this year with me. Wishing you a cozy holiday. Looking forward to visiting with you in 2017.

Next post

Published on Sunday, January 1st (New Year's day) at approximately 5 PM PST
2017 a year of possibilities
A post that answers the question:  What one essential ingredient do make next year what could and should be?

Picture Books in Canada

The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers (a program on Canada's public radio station) makes 15 great book recommendations for young readers--including picture books.

Sharing my author journey...

Guest Post: Award winning author Maggie de Vries on being a multi-genre author

On June 17th, I attended a writing workshop given by Maggie de Vries. It was an information rich day. I came home with sharpened skills and renewed excitement for my writing. Incidentally, around the same time, I was preparing to write a blog article on being a multi-genre author. As I am new to publishing, I thought it wise to seek input from an established author. Maggie kindly agreed to answer my questions.

Leanne:  Do you think branding is an issue (problem) for multi-genre authors? Why or why not?

Maggie:  I expect that it can be an issue, but I don't worry about it myself. I write what feels most important at each stage of my life, and together what I've written makes up my body of work. I appreciate the learning opportunities each form and genre provides and the different kinds of engagement with readers of all ages. I also appreciate the fact that I have not become stuck in a particular rut. Readers may find connections among my books, but they do not expect me to keep writing a particular kind of fiction.

Leanne:  What do you say when people ask what genre you write?

Maggie:  I give a list. I say that I write mostly for children and teens and that I've written an adult memoir. Then I wait to see what seems most relevant to them and focus on that.

Leanne:  Do you think your writing has suffered due to lack of focus? Why or why not?

Maggie:  I think my writing has been strengthened by variety. I wouldn’t say I have a lack of focus. I am focussed on each project as I work on it. I believe that each kind of writing teaches me things that benefit all my writing. 

Leanne:  Romance, mystery and children's literature authors are able to support each other through associations, etc. Please provide tips or advice on how a multi-genre author can access this type of support.

Maggie:  A multi-genre author can join all the associations he or she wishes. I belong to several associations for children’s writers and I belong to the Writers’ Union. So far, I have not felt the need

to join any other associations, but if I wrote another historical novel, I might seek out an association for writers of historical fiction. 

Leanne:  Please supply additional information regarding being a multi-genre author

Maggie:  I find great richness in writing in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences. I encourage all writers to write what they want to write most at any given time. There is more satisfaction, joy and potential success in that strategy, I think, than there is in any attempts to write to the market, or to find a niche and stay firmly stuck in that spot. 

Leanne:  Thank you so much for being a guest on my blog, Maggie. I found your answers encouraging and helpful. Wishing you continued success with your writing.

Bio: Maggie de Vries is the author of eleven books including the Governor General Literary Award nominated Missing Sarah: A Memoir of Loss and teen novel, Rabbit Ears, winner of the 2015 Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize. She is also the writer of A Voice for Change by Rinelle and Julie Harper, coming soon from HarperCollins. She has a picture book coming out with Orca in 2017 called Swimming with Seals. In November 2014, Maggie gave a TEDxSFU talk entitled The Red Umbrella: Sex Work, Stigma and the Law. In March 2016, she was part of a collaborative production called Hooker Monologues at the Firehall Arts Centre. Maggie was children’s book editor at Orca Book Publishers for seven years, and was a substitute teacher in Surrey for five. She currently lives in Vancouver and teaches writing for children and young adults in UBC’s Creative Writing Program. For more information see www.maggiedevries.com

Author, Maggie De Vries' writing workshop on POV notes by Leanne Dyck

Usually, in order to attend a writers' workshop, I must hop on a ferry, but not last Friday. Friday, June 17th Maggie De Vries (Governor General Literary Award nominee and Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize (2015) winner) came to Mayne Island.

This was an interactive workshop. Throughout the afternoon, Maggie gave us time to ask questions, talk about our writing, and practice our emerging skills--this included working on revisions. I'm not a fan of this type of writing. I don't feel that I produce my best work under this type of pressure and with so many distractions. But Maggie created such a supportive atmosphere that I was the first to read my revision to the group. This speaks volumes about Maggie's abilities as an instructor.

Maggie began her talk by listing the different Points Of View (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)

She gave some examples of strategies to convey story (i.e. world building)

She stressed the importance of writing in scenes. She advised us to ask, "From the passage I've just read, can I imagine what is taking place? Is it happening in real-time? Am I spending enough time in real-time?"

I took more notes...

-characters are only able to see the story through their eyes

-it's important to keep your character located in time and setting

-the reader experiences the story through the character

-keep detailed notes on your character. This will help maintain differences in their voices. (i.e. a phrase that that character often says)

-order of events is the writer's friend

-dialogue adds sound

-give information in a timely manner. You don't want readers to have to re-image what they're already read.

The workshop was over by six o'clock. After a supper break, Maggie returned to the library at seven o'clock to offer book readings to an engaged group of Mayne Island readers. Maggie has a diverse body of work--ranging from fiction to non-fiction and writing for adults, young adults, and children. She read from her memoir Missing Sarah (published in 2008 by Penguin Canada) which is about her sister Sarah--who is one of the missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Maggie's pride and love for her sister were apparent. The overriding message:  look beyond the situation--see the person, try to understand the person. Maggie closed by reading from Swimming with Seals--her soon-to-be-published (by Orca Publishing) picture book.

(Maggie de Vries (second person on your right, first row) amongst 

a group of Mayne Island--that's me to your extreme left, first row)

I know that my writing has benefited from the short time I spent with author, life coach, and mentor Maggie De Vries. Blessed is the writer who is able to spend a longer amount of time with her.

Maggie, thank you for traveling to Mayne Island. I hope you have enjoyed your time here--despite the rain. 

Thanks also goes to organizer author Pam Withers and to the Mayne Island library who provided the venue.

(back view of Mayne Island library)

More...

Maggie De Vries author website

(photo by Leanne Dyck)

Next post:  Sunday, June 26 (published around 5 PM) Sarren's Curse a short story by Leanne Dyck
Sarren looks normal, but she isn't. She has a problem. She needs help. Will she find it?

Picture Books in Canada

(photo by Leanne Dyck)

 CANSCAIP

Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers

CANSCAIP is a member-supported not-for-profit organization, and we've been around since 1979. Our Members and Friends include children's authors, illustrators and performers. We also welcome librarians, teachers, publishers, editors, parents and journalists. CANSCAIP membership, renewable annually, includes benefits like: newsletter about the children's book community, monthly meetings with expert speakers, packaging your imagination annual conference and a friendly and supportive community for beginning and experienced writers and artists.

For more information, please visit CANSCAIP's website (link) 

"Me and Bim and our friend Abby"

photo taken on Mayne Island by my friend Eleanor

Sharing my author journey...

Somewhere I heard, maybe from my mom, "If you sit with a problem long enough, the answer will come."

Implied but not said is keep calm and keep the faith.

This week that theory held true...