Following Your Heart. The Real Tricky Part . . . ?

According to my latest book, Where Do Stories Come From? the real trick to beginning your very own story is to “Find the idea that makes your heart tick.”

But, how does one DO that?

Writers are not in the business of knowing. They are in the business of wondering!

So, I might not have the answers, but I do have a story.

A story I once wrote called “Henry Follows His Heart.”

I never finished it (*Hint- hint: that’s A-Okay sometimes!), but it made me smile to write it.

I envisioned Henry (red hair, freckles, a striped blue shirt) being pulled to and fro according to his heart’s desires.

His heart rushing toward puppies and ice cream trucks.

Hiding from homework.

Running from scary movies - but, taking the popcorn and candy, of course.

When his heart was happy it would break out in a tap dance. Fully dressed in tuxedo. Tipping its top hat. Tapping its toes . . .

My heart does this little dance whenever I feel excited or inspired. Maybe your heart "ticks" or "taps" when you get a good idea.

Or, perhaps it grows a few sizes larger like a good friend of mine . . .

Oh, how I love the Grinch.

Your very own sensation of joy or inspiration is as unique to YOU.

What seems to be the same for many of us is that this moment of inspiration is simply that - a moment.

One second, or minute, or hour that passes.

You might find a topic or idea or character you love.

You may feel zapped, zinged, or bamfuzzled (*instantaneous warm fuzzy feeling) with the inspiration for a story.

But, if you really want your story to make it all the way to "the end", the true trick is how to keep going.

The clock must keep ticking, like the writer must keep writing!

*Unless your batteries start to fade. That's where it is helpful to keep a few different tricks up your sleeve (see: recess, naps, reading, snacks, playing with puppies, etc. . . .)

At first you will feel excited to write. It's often easy to pour your heart into a brand-new tale.

But, like caring for a plant or a puppy, the real work is the continued time, attention, and love that it needs.

Don't just take my advice (you already read that in my book...).

Take the advice of an even more timeless tale from Antoine de Saint-Exupery:

I prefer the "time spent". After all, it is never wasted . . .

Reading The Little Prince always makes my heart smile.

It is filled with magical metaphors, such as this note on time.

That it is the time we spend on the things we love which gives them their innate value.

Value is so often measured by how many people read your stories, buy your books, "like" your blogs.

Yet the most valuable moments for a budding writer occur during the interaction with the writing itself.

Without an audience, off on a tiny planet of your own with pen and paper. Just like the Little Prince and his rose.

In the spirit of roses and the first weeks of spring, I invite you to view the seeds of story like the seeds of a garden.

Whether you like to plant flowers, fruits, veggies, or gummiworms.

The first step is always selecting the seeds you hope to harvest, unique to your taste.

You plant them in springtime, then you walk away and return to a boatload of late-summer strawberries . . .

Just kidding.

You water.

You weed.

You work.

You wait.

In other words, you must give some attention to the garden of your imagination.

Select an idea that makes your heart dance. Then get ready to water (write!) and weed (edit!)

Soon enough - with patience, time, and loving effort - your idea will grow into a tale.

*Or sometimes not. Look at "Henry Follows His Heart". Some seeds just don't fully bloom . . .

But, if you are lucky, you will have the bamfuzzling satisfaction of a fully formed story.

And if you are very very lucky, your work of art just might make someone else's heart put on its tapping shoes . . .

*Purchase my books (including the Wee-Writer's Workbook for aspiring authors) here.

Writing Workout: When you plant a garden you might first head to the nursery or greenhouse and stroll the aisles. You grow inspired with what to grow. The library is like a greenhouse for writers. A whimsical place filled with books waiting to be admired and picked. Books that are fully bloomed and filled with seeds of inspiration. The perfect writing workout this month is to let your heart pull you to your local library to help you discover what kind of stories bring you joy. Think about why you like the characters, genre, plot, or ending. When I am stuck on writing I stick to reading. And I promise, by the time your books are due for return, you will very likely have a wonderful idea for a story all your own.

Happy Reading & Writing . . .

Think = Try. Be = Do. Which Equation is Best Between the Two…?

No, this is not a blog about math and equations, nor is it written entirely in rhyme.

This blog is all about where stories come from, based on my book of the same name . . .

A guidebook disguised as a storybook - how fun! Like this post, written for ages 0-100...

I have been slightly delayed in writing these posts, but I promise I am trying my best.

I have been navigating a new move and a busy time of school visits, particularly in February, our national "Love to Read" month.

On February 2nd, I relocated to a new home with some lovely neighbours nearby . . .

Yes, Cosette (right) star of Cosette Goes to the County has a new little sister, Belle. Belle is patiently awaiting her own book contract...

On February 5th I had the privilege of reading Cosette Goes to the County and Where Do Stories Come From? to over 1000 elementary students across Manitoba and Quebec. It was my busiest virtual day yet, and left me feeling very honored to get the chance to share my stories with others.

I love to receive feedback from every school I visit, and this time around I discovered teachers and students alike would enjoy some writing exercises of there own. To try writing their own tales.

I will be including one simple exercise at the end of every blog, some taken directly from my Where Do Stories Come From? Writing Workbook.

But, let’s get back to that word – try. The very first piece of writing advice, written in red and underlined twice, in Where Do Stories Come From?

Many wonderful things - like stories! - come from trying.

Many of my readers may know I am a big fan of Yoda, and I often hear his sage words while working at my desk:

“Do... or do not. There is no try.”

It seems for this Jedi master, the act of trying invites excuses.

You might tell your mom you will try to do your homework, but you could wind up playing video games instead. And next thing you know, the only story you are bringing to school the next day is the tall tale about the neighbour's French Bulldog eating you essay for supper . . .

Doing your homework, on the other hand, means you are DOING it. English essay done! Math equations = check! French homework, fini!

Doing is awesome, and without committing to putting one word after another I would never finish my own stories and books.

However, for once Yoda and I will have to agree to disagree.

I love the word try.

Why, you ask?

Well, as a writer words are like my closest friends. I like to discover where they came from, to look at the essence of each one meet.

(*Like the word “poet”, which traces back to the Sanskrit word "cinoti", meaning to gather, and heap. Poets then are like gatherers of thoughts, memories, and feelings, heaped into a pile of words we call poetry. Try it with your favourite words. Like what does "nincompoop" really mean . . . ?)

So, what is the essence of "trying" vs "doing"?

The word “do” means to take action often resulting in achieving a result.  

To "try" means to use effort in order to see what happens.

"Trying" can also imply that you're testing something new, exploring what is possible.

Unfortunately, "trying" is often associated with a lack of effort.

But, I have discovered effort is as fickle as the shape of a pickle.

The amount of effort we have to give is not consistent, but what IS consistent is our ability to show up. To use whatever energy we have on hand. To pull out your pen and see what is possible.

Don't take it from me. Here are some words of wisdom from Rick Rubin, author of "The Creative Act", Jedi master of mixing music:

"The creative process isn't just about having an idea (thinking), but actively engaging with it through experimentation (trying), staying present in the moment (being), and ultimately taking action to manifest that idea (doing)."

Yes, when writing we have to think - about the craft, the process, and our story. We also try - exploring, shifting, stalling, falling, succeeding, discovering. The list goes on.

While thinking and trying the mind is still at work. Effort is still applied.

Being and doing are different. They come from drifting into a space where we are less self-conscious (Is this character interesting? Is this a good ending?!)

Our natural habits (from all that writing practice!) overtake the thinking mind. Our effort becomes more effortless.

Some people call this flow state (see writing workout below to get in your own writing flow...)

So I am sorry, Yoda. But, it appears there is such thing as both trying and doing when it comes to honing your craft. It is not so black and white after all. Or even grey (boring).

It is a lovely rainbow of all the colourful ways in which humans (young or old) use to magically create something out of nothing.

So, my final equation:

Thinking +Trying + Being + Doing = Wonderful Creations!

Writing Workout: For one whole month, you can try to discover where your own stories come from by using a tool I love called the “morning pages”. Designed by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way, these are three pages you write first thing in the morning – even before your bowl or cheerios or favorite cartoons! Many of my best ideas have come from this exercise. Maybe you will remember a really cool dream? Or, feel inspired about a book you are reading? Or maybe its just a boring list of the things you would rather be doing, like watching cartoons. Don't worry - you can always draw your own to go along with your story. Whatever happens, the more often your pick up your pen, the more curious you will find you are to discover what might be stored in your imagination waiting to be released on blank page. And slowly, your morning time effort may even feel a little more effortless.

I will try to put out a new blog on the 1st day of each month, just like my B-Side Stories, where I had a solid deadline to finish each original story. (Your teacher gives you due dates for a reason. It’s helpful to know where the finish line is. Just ask the tortoise. Perhaps, not the hare . . . )

Purchase my books or request your very own school visit HERE.

Thanks for reading and happy writing . . .

Where Do Stories, Books, and Blogs Come From...?

As promised, I will be writing blog posts every month for kids, based on the advice from my latest children’s picture book Where Do Stories Come From?

Did I really say my blog would be “coming soon” last December?!?!

Well, as you will see with these posts on the creative process, Time twists and turns like a tornado.

For instance, I am working on a book for slightly bigger kids (a novel!) that has taken me the past 4 years, and I feel like I am just beginning to get to know the characters.

I also recently returned to an old copy I wrote of Cosette Goes to Montreal, to see how it sounds two years after her first book, Cosette Goes to the County, was published.

Sometimes our timelines are less linear and more like those tornado tracks, winding and unpredictable.

All that truly matters is you are reading this blog now (my favourite time of day!), and hopefully for 16-ish weeks to come.

Yes, there are 16 snippets of writerly wisdom hidden throughout the pages of Where Do Stories Come From?

A story which I wrote for little aspiring artists and curious creatives (like me!), having taken a piece of universal advice that I heard once upon a time:

"If you find a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

Toni Morrison said these words and I took that advice to heart, which led me to write a book my nine-year-old self would have loved to find on the shelf. A book about the value of stories, the art of writing, and the power of imagination and trust in the mysterious creative process. Plus, cartoon illustrations of aliens, monsters, ice cream, and dogs…

Books like “Big Magic” and “The Artist’s Way” have had a deep impact on my life, and my book is an ode to similar ideas with a twist – it’s for young readers.

(Although I say it’s for ages 0-100!)

This blog will hopefully deliver a behind the scenes look of my own daily writing practices + the journey of battling dragons (blank pages) and summiting magical mountains (getting new ideas & finally writing “the end.”)

I also mentioned sneak peeks of upcoming books and updates. At the moment, I am working on that previously mentioned novel in a little cabin in the Rocky Mountain woods with a couple of furry friends for company.

*Yes, that is a corkboard with all my characters. It helps me to put a face to a name of the characters that pop into my head. And no, you cannot see them, but three horses play outside my writing room window. They are excellent NEIGH-bours…

I am also attending schools across Canada through “Virtual Visits” which have been awesome so far, reading and discussing stories with students in Manitoba, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Last week I brought  Where Do Stories Come From? to Margaret Wooding in nearby Alberta, and this week I am sharing the book with Valley Elementary in Nova Scotia. It's not only a chance to share my story, but also to let students discover their very own stories waiting to be written.

So, if you have a budding artist in your family, stay tuned and discover where, how, and why stories are born. Or purchase a copy of the book HERE.

For now, if you are not sure what to create, take a page from Ms. Morrison’s life and make the very thing you wish existed in the world. Be it a painting or a play, a toy or clothing. Or hopefully your very own book . . .

Happy Reading!