Harry, the spider by Leanne Dyck (children's story)

Last week, I woke up with a memory of working in a daycare centre--specifically, telling a group of children a story I created on the spot. This memory inspired me to write... 

photo by ldyck

Harry the Spider

Stop! Don't step here. You'll squish me.

Eek! Sorry, it's just that you look so scary.

I know, I'll close my eyes. 

I'll open them very slowly. First one eye, then another and another and another and another and another and another and another. Spiders like me have eight eyes. There, that helped a little. Except... not much. All I can see are your big scary feet.

I have an idea, I'll climb this wall. There that's better. Now I can see your eyes. It's so sad that you only have two. There's so much to see. You must miss a lot with only two eyes.

What do you call that round thing in the middle of your face?

A nose...? That's a silly word. Nose. Hee. Hee.

I know, I'll keep climbing up, up, up, all the way to the ceiling. Now I feel better. You look much smaller from way up here. Climbing walls and ceilings is a lot of fun, and it's not that hard. Maybe if you practice you'll be able to—. Oh, sorry, I guess not. If you had eight legs like me, you'd be able to climb a lot better.

My name is Harry, but most people just call me a wolf spider. But that's a silly name because I don't look like a wolf. 

Not all spiders are as nice as me. Some would bite you, and some of those bites really, really sting. But I promise I won't bite you.

A lot of people are scared of spiders. I think they're scared of me because I'm so big. But being big isn't my fault. 

If they got to know me, they'd like me. I'm a lot more useful than dogs or cats or even fish. 

Like... Like... Do you like flies?

No, I didn't think so. They're really annoying with all their buzzing. A buzz-buzz here and a buzz-buzz there. And... And they walk all over your food, spreading germs that can make you sick.

But I can stop them from buzzing. I hide behind furniture or in planters or in the closet. Then when a fly comes buzzing by, I jump out, and before they know it, they're a wolf-spider smoothie. No more buzzing. No more germs.

Oh, look, there’s a fly over there. I need to move now.

It was fun talking with you. And please remember—be careful where you walk. 

photo by ldyck

Next Sunday...

Inspiration by Leanne Dyck

I've been taking a lot of pictures this spring--my technique:  point and shot. And all week I've been weighing whether or not to share them with you today. This is a writing blog, after all. And I'm not a 'photographer'. Then I realized that being in nature not only inspires me but also gives me comfort. Solace. Don't we all need more of that lately? So... I hope you enjoy these snapshots of my writing muses.

The Woods by Leanne Dyck (short story)

Too early on Friday, June 22, I wrote this very short story for you. I hope you enjoy reading it.

The Woods

'into the woods' ldyck

Tall trees encircle me. Sunlight filters in through a canopy of leaves. Am I lost? No, I know these woods. A bird sings from a branch overhead.

A loud rustle.

Is it a bear?

I hear him growl. I see his teeth, his claws-- Only in my imagination.

There it is again. I head to the sound. 

Am I crazy? Maybe.

A fawn tangled in vines. 

I approach slowly, trying not to be perceived as a threat. 

Why is it alone? Where is its mother?

I move quickly to untangle its legs. 

The fawn is free. 

Her mother steps into the clearing and together they disappear into the safety of the woods. 

'graceful ladies' ldyck

August on this blog:  

August 5:  If you've ever wondered what my writing day is like, My Writing Desk (short story) should answer all your questions.

August 12:  I'm thrilled to introduce you to children's author Susin Nielsen. I know you'll enjoy reading her interview. 

August 19:  

Book review:  We Are All Molecules (YA) by Susin Nielsen

August 26:  Writers have little to show for a day's worth of work--no punched time clock, no dirty fingernails. This can lead to many misconceptions. Lazy Bones (short story) explores these misconceptions. 

'dreamy sky' ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

Do you like to travel? Do you want to promote your new release? Here's an idea (or three)...

In the Wind (poem) by Leanne Dyck

A poem in tribute to nature's beauty.

'nature's fragility, nature's beauty' ldyck

Sing to me of trees dressed for autumn,

of spring rain, of summer sun,

of snowflakes dancing in the air 
like fairy princesses.

And I will follow you 
down dirt paths,

through snowbanks,

We will leave footprints in the sand.

We will be children of nature, 

living forever in the wind.

*On April 28, 2018, while on a walk with Abby, this poem flew from some magical place to my ear.

'letting the sun in' ldyck

This June's blog offering...
-a two-part short story on my relationship with CBC (public) radio.
-a book review on an Icelandic classic
-a report on a writers' workshop

'Abby, the beautiful' ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

Celebrating the Active Pass Festival

The Active Pass Festival celebrated the beauty and inspiration of my island home. 

Opening ceremonies...

 Michael Dunn, master of ceremonies and head organizer

 an excited and supportive crowd

Mayne Island community choir

There was truly something for everyone...

-sailing tours

-walking tours

-studio tours

-craft shows

Terrill Welch at work

-art exhibits

-music concerts

-author readings

and more


Many times during this three-day festival I wished that I could split myself in half and in half and in half again. I figured that way I wouldn't have to miss anything.

The highlight for me were the author readings. These readings were offered on Saturday and Sunday. 

Saturday, I was entertained by two powerful female authors who were driven to tell their truth. 

The first, Adrienne Brown (memoirist), fell era to her artist parents' story. Ms. Brown took on this challenge even though she was not an artist herself. She read from The Life and Art of Harry and Jessie Webb. 

The second, Cathy Ford (poet), felt compelled to make the world remember the women who were killed during the Ecole Ploytechnique massacre. Ms. Ford took on this challenge even though, at the time of the shooting, she lived several provinces away. She read from her long poem Flowers We Will Never Know the Names Of.

Sunday, the day began with...

9 AM author reading by Pam Withers. Pam offered writing tips and talked about her author journey and the research she did in order to write her latest book -- Andreo's Race. This research included a trip to Bolivia.

10 AM author Amber Harvey. Amber spoke about the inspiration for her writing -- to entertain and leave a legacy for her grandchildren. She read from her soon-to-be-published book, Magda's Mysterious Stranger. 

11 AM author Leanne Dyck 
I invited singer, songwriter, and actor Georgia Johnson to perform with me.

Georgia performing on the main stage on the Ag Hall grounds

My recipe:  3 short stories
2 songs
musical accompaniment
audience involvement
Blend together and offer to a room full of supportive friends.
Result:  an amazing author high


Noon with Governor-General award-winning children's writer, Kit Pearson. Ms. Pearson read from her newly released books The Whole Truth and And Nothing But the Truth. She told us that the books had started out as one but her publisher suggested that they become two. Ms. Pearson is a prolific, well-established (over 30 years) author. I'm looking forward to talking with her on May 17th...

(Please click on the image to embolden)

By this time, my brain was exploding with information and inspiration. So I took a small break. I returned to the library for...

Governor-General award-winning poet and fiction author, Arleen Pare. Ms. Pare read from her newly released poetry collection Lake of Two Mountains. I enjoyed listening to Ms. Pare's poetry, but I am a huge fan of her fiction. Here is my review of Ms. Pare's last novel -- Leaving Now.

More...

Mayne Island web site 

Mayne Island news blog

Writing contest...

Room's Poetry and Fiction Contest is Now open
Deadline:  July 15, 2015
contest guidelines


Sharing my author journey...

A study in lilac

It's so much fun to re-read old posts (articles) and realize that not much has actually changed--substitute writing for knitting and understand that my deadlines are now mostly self-imposed, and press update. (grin) Although, I'm pleased to report that there are a lot fewer tears.

You:  So how's the knitting coming, Leanne. Are you finished all the knitting you're doing for the ArtCraft gallery?
Me:  (silently sobbing) Fine. Just fine. No really I'll be okay. Please let's think about something else...

Me:  I promise I'll give you an update next Monday when I should be reaching completion. Oh, please, let it be over soon.
No, really, I'm fine. : )
***
Oh, yes, and I got this really nice note arrived in my email inbox...
I finished your book (The Sweater Curse) today and enjoyed the narrative nature of the first person presentation as well as the references to Icelandic terms and sayings.The story took a few unexpected turns and twists as it unwound.

Regards 

Ron

***

Next post (Thursday, May 31):  My writing retreat

Power Outage

The flu bug bit me on Sunday. I was drained, my body ached, my vision blurred, and my throat felt like it was full of rusty nails.

“Go to bed!” I’m sure you would have said. And I heard you.

I fought through my desire to write and made my way to my queen-size nest. Still the desire remained, and so I kept flicking on the light to capture my muse’s ramblings. Wow, the wind’s kinda scary. It’s like…it’s like…ocean waves or… I nodded off, but my muse screamed in my ear. Like a bullwhip, with each lash the wind threatens to break our fragile link with the world. Wanting to capture these words, I flicked on the light. Or rather, I tried to. The link had been broken.

I have a sore throat, and there is a windstorm—is there a connection?

The next day was full of reading, writing, knitting, and eating sandwiches. My husband and I spent the day together free of artificial lighting and Internet disturbances. It was like taking a holiday in our own home. Although, I must admit I did miss you and my oven.

Around 5 o’clock, the weather began to settle, and it eased my worries. We will overcome. But had we? Laying my head on my pillow, the wind sang me a lullaby…or was it a nightmare? “I’m still here. I haven’t left.” And I began to worry. What if the storm isn’t over? What if the wind never leaves?

Tuesday, I woke to soothing words, "The power is on.” My husband smiled, kissed me, and left to catch the ferry. The power is on…hot water, clean dishes, a shower, clean clothes, radio, Internet, TV. It was a good day until around 10 AM, when once again the link was broken. There was no wind and so I wondered… Am I living a nightmare? A woman alone on an island is driven crazy by the lack of power? Can you drive someone crazy by turning her power on and off? Was someone trying to drive me crazy? Did someone hate me that much?

Thankfully, I wasn’t driven crazy; the power is back on. And I'm resolved to be better prepared next time—which could be today.

For beautiful photos of this adventure, please visit my artist friend Terrill Welch's blog
***
Next post:  Please welcome Author Holly Robinson

Picturing Autumn's beauty by Leanne Dyck

I started this season with a mission. Each year, I have a problem transitioning from Summer to Autumn. This is year I was determined to find the beauty in the now. Here is more of what I've found...

Autumn beauty

***
Next post:  Please welcome Author Barbara Elsborg