Feed Your Stories With FUN . . .

This past April was filled with a ton of fun for a writer like me.

There was Easter weekend (which is also my mom's birthday!), meaning lots of good food, sweet cake, and lovely family time.

It's also one of Cosette's favourite holidays of the year . . .

Cosette loves eating carrots - just like the Easter bunny

On April 24th and May 2nd, Cosette Goes to the County made it's way to two local schools.

Thank you to Sonrise Christian Academy in Prince Edward County and St. Albert's College in Belleville, Ontario. I had so much fun reading a local story with local students.

And the most fun of all?!?!

My big sister and I have begun a new Sunday ritual - or should I say "witch-ual". . .

Playing Septima! A board game all about casting spells, brewing potions, and pretending you are the head witch of your very own coven . . .

Game board design - a pretty cool creative career!

Finally, I also took some time last month to stock my personal library with local library and bookstore finds.

Afterall, reading for a writer is the ultimate way to play.

Which brings us to this month's advice from my latest children's book Where Do Stories Come From?:

"It's important to play."

And when I say play, I don't just mean reading. Or board games. Or holiday feasts.

For you it might be skateboarding, playing catch, strumming a guitar, or mastering your favourite video game. The list goes on and on.

The point is that sometimes when we do creative work we forget to make time for different forms of fun.

I am always ready to sit down at my writing desk Monday morning after a day of witchy fun on the weekend.

And the truth is, YES I do get many of my best story ideas when I wake up in the morning and journal and write.

BUT . . .

It is often when I am out for a long swim, or a meandering hike, or eating popcorn at the movie theater, that I also stumble upon inspiration. I might come up with the perfect line, a clever rhyme, or a twist in a plot I've written.

The point being, sometimes when there is no pen around I get my best writing done.

It is said that if you do something alone, in silence, + repetitively - like knitting, or swimming laps - your mind sinks into a state of flow (one-pointed attention) that makes you very receptive to inspiration.

But, I have also found a day spent hanging out with my family, talking to my friends, and playing games and sports with others, has equally sparked great ideas for dialogue, character traits and stories. Plus, fills me with the energy to keep on writing!

Whether you are playing solo or having fun in a crowd, I believe every moment we take time for fun has an impact on your creativity.

What about the notion that if you love what you do it should never feel like work at all?

Aren't artists meant to feel like all their work is play?!?

I see the path of building anything - a book, a short story, something artsy or not - the same way as building a sandcastle.

Or, for my fellow Canadians - building a snow fort!

Of course, both of these activities are super-duper fun.

Yet, they are also a lot of hard work.

Digging moats and scooping snow is all in the name of the game.

None-the-less, we enjoy the game as a whole, hopefully just like the writing process.

And part of that game is the writing and the writing blocks. The editing and reediting. Illustrations and endless erasing to get that picture just right.

Turning blank pages from nothing into something is just like a castle emerging from the flat, golden sand or an ice fort rising from the snow.

It takes effort - digging, patience, and sweat - but overall it really is a ton of fun.

Especially when you still set aside time outside of writing for all the other hobbies, passions, and play-time rituals you enjoy.

In other words,

It's important to remember the art of having fun so that you can keep having fun making art.

It doesn't really matter HOW you have fun.

WHAT you play.

WHO you are with.

WHEN or WHERE.

All that matters is WHY.

Why we bother making castles in the sand when we know the tide will wash them away.

Or forts in the snow that will only melt come spring.

Why we bother to paint pictures that might never go in a gallery, or play hockey when no one is keeping score, or write a story that very well may never be read.

Hopefully, you do it because it makes you smile. Because it brings you joy. Because you are enjoying the process, sweat and all.

And when the ocean washes your work away, or when the ice melts, or when you eventually reach "The End" - this might just be the best part of all.

Because that means it's time to begin again . . .

It all BEGAN with my first book cover in 2022 - Lots of sweat and smiles.

Writing Workout: Today my personal play time included a long stroll to the waterfront to watch the newly hatched baby turtles swimming in their pond. For this months writing exercise, head to your own favourite place to play and bring along your notebook or journal. Have some fun - a game of soccer, a ride on your bike or skateboard, or like me, enjoy spotting some wildlife. Afterward, open up a blank page, pull out your pen, and see what new story ideas may have magically appeared.

COMING THIS MONTH: Join me for a FUN day of reading at Indigo Books in Kingston, Ontario. 1:00pm: Storytime for Kids. Noon - 2:00pm: Meet, greet, & book signing.

Happy Reading, Writing, and Play this wonderful spring time month of May . . .

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 . . .