Friday, March 28, 2008

Yikes!

Yikes. I can't believe that I haven't posted since the week before Easter. I meant to get one more post in but ran out of time. Since I've returned, I've been frantically getting a project ready for a screen writers workshop I'm taking this weekend. Wish me luck. I'm heading out there shortly.

And, I promise to get another review out soon (hopefully on Monday). In the meantime, check out the reader's choice site on the right. There are tons of great books out there for you. Later. Sheryl

New directions

I've been back home for a few days, but have been frantically working on a new story for a screen writing workshop that I am taking this weekend. I am so excited, but a little freaked out in case what I have prepared is off-base! Being the fanatic that I am, I' working on a second project just in case! Wish me luck. S.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Arthur C. Clarke

I was checking out the NY Times this morning and read that Arthur C. Clarke has died. A visionary who penned close to 100 books, I have been reading Clarke for as long as I can remember. Not surprisingly, he was in the middle of another novel. If you haven't read him, or seen the film classic "2001: A Space Odyssey" (based on his novel of the same name) by the equally great Stanley Kubrick, you are missing something special.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Lois Lowry is awesome



I went to hear Lois Lowry speak in Vancouver a few days ago and she was awesome. She talked about the way in which serendipitous events in her life have sparked books like The Giver and Number the Stars and Autumn Street. It was fascinating to discover that part of the inspiration for The Giver came from her experience with her aging father who could remember her older sister, but did not remember that she had died. It led her to ask herself a what if question of the sort that many authors find themselves asking. In this case, it was What if one person were responsible for keeping the memories of a community? She talked about the way in which a books often changed kids' lives; one of the reasons she became a children's writer. There is no question that Lowry has changed many many lives with that book alone.



It was also delighted to hear her read from her new book The Willoughby's and I look forward to reading it. Clearly Lowry has a talent for capturing a child's perspective whether drama or humor.

Monday, March 03, 2008

The Smell of Paint short-listed

Good news. I just found out that my YA novel, The Smell of Paint, was short-listed for Saskatchewan's Readers' Choice Willow Award. This year's books aren't yet listed, but you can see the winners from 2007.

Support our libraries

Hello fellow book lovers,

Locked-out library workers in Victoria, BC are planning two upcoming events to continue to inform and mobilize public support, in order to achieve a fair contract and get our libraries re-opened.

Two upcoming events:

Thursday March 6, 7 pm
Windsor Park Pavilion, 2451 Windsor RD : Town Hall meeting on the subject of Pay Equity

Saturday March 8 1:15-4:00 pm
The library will be holding a rally on International Women's Day (next Saturday March 8), marching from Centennial Square down Government to the Legislature.The actual march is set to begin about 2:45 although there will be activities preceeding this, beginning at 1:15.

Speakers at the legislature grounds between 3-4 pm.

more and more books

Back after a wonderful weekend with my even more wonderful editor, Ann Featherstone. Now I have even more books to add to my pile of "must reads". And then, of course, there's her sage writing advice and insight. Sometimes I wish we had more hours in the day...sigh

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Reader's Choice

Great news. The Smell of Paint has been nominated for the Saskatchewan Readers Choice Willow Award. Yeah!

New downloads for teachers

Just back from Vancouver, Edmonton, and Cowichan By. So good to be home sweet home. Have had time at least to upload a few new downloads for teachers so check it out. Sheryl