Reviewing Word Vancouver 2015

Word Vancouver 'is Western Canada's largest celebration of literacy and reading'.

photo by Leanne Dyck

Once again this year I was only able to attend half of what I wanted to. There was just too much happening. Inside the library there were author readings, workshops, presentations and panel discussions. Outside there were information booths for a diverse collection of groups from publishers to literacy advocates. Plus a stage for performers and tents for author readings.

Saturday I arrived half an hour early. I was eager for the day to begin. First up was a consultation with an established children's literature author. Because I was early I was able to score the third time slot. I was forewarned that ten minutes flew by so I spent the waiting time preparing a point form presentation about my experience, my manuscripts and my goals. The consultation was time well spent. I received validation for the work I've done and encouragement and inspiration to continue working. After the consultation I planned to grab something to eat but instead was pulled into an engaging workshop on how to get out of your own way and write the unexpected. In total, during Saturday and Sunday, I attended three workshops, three panel discussions as well as networking with publishers and fellow authors. 

It's interesting what you can learn if you listen...

A panelist said that she had received over 400 rejections. Another panelist dumped a large bag of mail on the floor.

He said, "This isn't fan mail."

It was rejection letters.

They told the room full of authors not to listen to naysayers and to never give up. They advised us to work towards our future success and prepare to make sacrifices to reach them. They stressed that writing isn't a hobby and it isn't part-time.


It's during events like this that I realize (once again) how truly blessed I am. I'm doing what I love, surrounded by a generously supportive community.

I'll write about what I learnt during Word Vancouver on...
Developing Your Characters on Monday, November 16th
Never Write Alone on Monday, November 30th

Next post:  What I'm thankful for this year

Sharing my author journey...

I'd like to thank you for your kind words regarding the death of my furry companion -- Ticky. He gave so much to me over his long life. And I knew I had do something with all that love. And so... Drum roll...

I'm pleased to introduce you to Bim.

photo by Leanne Dyck

Bim is a nine year old apricot Miniature Poodle cross. I think the other breed is Maltese.

For those of you interested in details...

Learning from other authors at New West Lit Fest by Leanne Dyck

Early Saturday morning, I sailed from Mayne Island to Vancouver Island, my destination was Douglas College -- the setting for New West Lit Fest...

I had planned to take the last ferry on Friday night but misread the ferry schedule. Hey, it happens.

I attended three workshops:

The Art & Engineering of Making a Living in the Writing World by Sylvia Taylor

Here's what I heard...

-the difference between an amateur and a professional author is that a professional never gives up.

-the more successful you are the more you need others in the publishing industry

Add to your To-do list...

-connect with your writing society

-you have to do stuff for free in the beginning and continue to do so

Mind-set

-there is room for everyone

-be open-hearted

-be focused

-continue to educate yourself

-stick with it

-be authentic

-building a successful career in the publishing industry isn't a race

Fundamentals for your author business

-web site

-business card

My takeaway: You can make a living as an author if you stick with it and are resourceful.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Laptop by Neil McKinnon

Here's what I heard...

Resources for generating funny ideas:

-newspaper

-newscasts

-conversations

-out of date practices or laws

What makes something funny?

1)Surprise

uniting two things that don't normally go together (the Pope on a skateboard)

interpreting something in two ways (knock, knock jokes)

2)Misfortune

This type of humour is generally cruel -- racial jokes

3)The Forbidden

-sex

-aggression

My example of this type of humour...

Jack and Jill went up the hill

And we all know why

nudge, nudge 

wink, wink

Writing humour is hard because humour is subjective. 

What will affect whether or not you find something funny?

your age

your sex

your background/culture

how you feel at the time

This is why it is important to know your intended audience.

Remember that you will never satisfy everyone.

If the reader takes offense, it's like offering candy to a diabetic. If the diabetic eats the candy it's her problem.

It's easier to write a publishable piece by adding humour

Time makes things funny

It's easier to write your story (article) first and then add the humour later. 

All jokes need a beginning, middle, and end--like all stories.

My takeaway:  It's easier to be a writer who adds humour to her writing, than a stand-up comedian.

Connecting with Children -- in print and in person by Lois Peterson

Here's what I heard...

To write for children... 
-you have to connect with children. Find out what they are interested in and what books they are reading 
-you have to remember the child you were, write for that child.
-you have to like children and want to be with them
-be honest about emotions
-find common ground
-share who you are 
-know that you will have manuscripts that remain in the drawer and never become books

Don't start by wanting to teach your reader something -- morals, values, etc.

Storytelling is powerful. Children need it.

Why do presentations for schools and libraries?

Because you want to get your book in the hands of teachers and librarians.

To visit schools and libraries...
-prepare by learning how to tell a good story
-don't send out mass mailings. Instead, focus on the contacts you already have -- could be friends of friends of friends who are teachers or librarians
-make it as easy as possible for them to invite you.
-send them a letter of proposal for your presentation. A week before your presentation, send them a follow-up letter
-be very clear as to what you will need during your presentations. Express these needs to the teacher or librarian
-it's very helpful to know the curriculum. You are far more likely to get an invitation if your book fits into something they are currently studying.

During the presentation...
-go in prepared, but be prepared to be flexible to children's needs
-create a theme for your presentation (i.e. begin at the beginning or where ideas come from or how I grew up)
-use visual aids--but not technology, too stressful. These visual aids can serve as an anchor for presentation. They can also be conversation starts -- something to ask questions about, for you and the children
-engage the librarian or teacher
-do far more talking than reading
-talk to them about the process of writing a book. Make writing a book seem doable. Explain that it takes luck, skill, and hard work. Give them a realistic view of what it means to be an author.
-we are part of a culture, refer to other authors.
-invite them into the process by asking them 'what if...' questions
-be interested in them
-allow the children to be honest about your book. If they don't like your book explain that that's why there are so many other books.
-ask the children to sign your book

A children's fiction author doesn't make money by visiting schools and libraries. You make money by having your books nominated 
for example...
-the Forest of Reading Festival

This festival 'is Canada's largest recreational reading program of its kind. More than 250,000 Ontario children read and vote for their favourite book in eight age-specific award categories every year.' --from the Forest of Reading of Festival of Trees website

My takeaway:  A children's fiction author is an advocate for reading. 

And if this is true and you are a children's fiction author, you probably will be interested in this link: Reading Link Challenge

As you can see it was an information-rich festival. Well worth the expense and time (this year it took me two and a half hours) of getting there. Oh, yes, and the festival is free.

Sharing my author journey...

Literary Festival (LitFest New West) notes by Leanne Dyck

Priceless because of the quality of the information I received. Priceless because it didn't cost a nickel. Yup, you read right--not a nickel. Got to love those free literary festivals. 

This is the second year I’ve attended this warm and welcoming festival, and it felt like coming home. My biggest challenge was choosing which workshop to attend, as three streams of workshops ran simultaneously throughout the day, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Three...
Now, at home, as I flip through the pamphlet, I wonder why I didn't make different choices—not out of dissatisfaction, but out of a desire to experience everything. However, instead of "shoulding" myself, I'll share what I heard, saw and did.

My day began with..
 The Business Side of Writing (11:00 a.m. to noon) by Daniela Elza
Ms. Elza encouraged participation and tailored the workshop to serve our needs and interests. We began by brainstorming around the question:  What is the business of writing? 

Submissions: Ms. Elza suggested that we read widely--magazines and books--and as we do harvest (my term) the names of the publishers of our favourite literature. That way we'll have a list of publishers to contact. But as well as names, we should also take notes regarding which of our stories would best suit the publishers' interests. And she encouraged us not to stop there but to record our reflections about the publisher as we read. 
Ms. Elza gave us other helpful tips regarding submissions such as following each publisher's submission guidelines to the letter, taking the time to thoroughly edit our work before we send it and carefully tracking our submissions.

Rejections:  The more submissions you have in the pipeline the better your odds and the less painful a single rejection will be. Ms. Elza reminded us that there are many reasons that your piece could be rejected and disliking your writing is only one reason. She suggested that one way to deal with your feelings about being rejected is to share them with your fellow writers--a good reason to belong to a community of writers. And, as an editor, she told us that if we thought it was hard to receive a rejection image writing one

Doing author readings: 
Don't List:  apologize, go over the time allotted, fidget, feel sorry for yourself, explain your reading, mumble
Do List:  smile, breathe deeply, drink hot water, believe in your work, practice in front of a mirror or videotape yourself

Writing Block
I told Ms. Elza that I referred to 'writing block' as 'writer pause'. She said that was one of the best terms she'd heard for it. (a high point of my day)
-having a daily writing routine is a very helpful way to minimize the effects of writing block or writer pause.          
It's important to keep positive about your writing life. One way to do this is to volunteer your time and to help promote others.

How do you balance marketing your work with writing?
-learn to say no
-remember that you and your work are (and should be) the most important to you
-keep it fun
-take care of yourself

Both Sides Now:  Essential Elements of Adaptation (12:45 to 1:45 p.m.) by Don Hauka
Description (from the pamphlet) 'Adapting your book to the screen is tough--how about adapting your screenplay to the novel form?...Hauka will use his personal experience in adapting his mystery novels to the screen and vice-versa'
Mr. Hauka presented a well-organized, thoroughly researched, multi-media presentation.
I was especially struck by what he said about being a screenwriter. A screenwriter is only one member of a team--above you is the producer and, in the case of TV, network executives. They will put limits on your story. Mr. Hauka stressed that it is the story that is most important. And the core of the story should never change, regardless of how it is being presented.
I walked away thinking that I probably won't become a screenwriter.

Double Exposure's Introduction to Comedy Writing (2:00 to 3:00 p.m.) by Bob Robertson & Linda Cullen
Description (from the pamphlet) 'Canada's multi-award-winning comedy team..., the creators of one Canada's most successful CBC radio and TV series...will teach you the basics of writing comedy scripts.'
This was the most well-attended workshop. The room was packed--standing room only. And no one was disappointed. Their presentation was both entertaining and informative. They began by giving us a quick definition of comedy writing--the ability to make people laugh. They told us there were no rules. But advised us to avoid puns. Then shared four tools that would lead us down the road to ha, ha:  satire, parody, literalism (taking a phrase or a lyric and putting it in a different context), anthorpomorphism (giving human characteristics to something other than a human) and observational humour. 
Interview with Double Exposure

Publisher's Panel (3:15 to 4:15 p.m.) by Brick Books, Ekstasis Editions, Libros Libertad Publishing
Brick Books publishes poetry
Libros is now focusing on publishing translations
Ekstasis mission is to share the wealth of Quebec literature with English-speaking Canada.
The publishers discussed the challenge of making money. They all agreed they were committed to continuing their press regardless of profitability. 
-indie publishing (small press) offers the most opportunity for authors
-manuscripts that are accepted now will be published in 2016
-author readings are mainly done in bookstores