Details, details. But not too many.

I've been working on my historical novel about smugglers. I have to keep reminding myself that this is fiction, and not a history book (thank you Stephen King for reminding me). Authentic details - such as the price of oatmeal and bar soap - should not take centre stage. No one is interested in reading two pages describing how sheep are sheared, or how barrels are made. In the meantime I'm actually excited as I write, as if I'm the reader not the writer (well, I guess I'm both).
          I can't wait to find out what happens next?
          I love it.

News and Information

Great news. I just found out that an audio version of Can Hens Give Milk? is in the works.
Also - artists keep asking me how to get into the book illustration business. I'm not an artist, but I do know how this works and how it doesn't work.

Do not ask a writer to collaborate on a book unless you are both well known in the field. Publishers like to be in control and to match a writer with an illustrator.

Do go to the local library, or bookstore, and find this year's edition of Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market.* See what each publisher wants, and how to submit samples of your work - and then go for it.

Do ask an illustrator for advice and tips.

*This is where the apostrophes are in some of the Google sites. It's a bit ambiguous, isn't it? I've settled on the above.

Word on the Street

Vancouver held WOTS downtown today around the central branch of the VPL. It was a good feeling to walk around in the sunshine and see books, publishers, writers, librarians, teachers and readers. An inspiring afternoon.
And it's also Sukkot, the Jewish thanksgiving/harvest festival. We can be thankful for food and books. It's all nourishment. My friend Pam lives in Malta and her village of Zejtun just celebrated an Olive Festival. Now and then we need to be grateful for all the good things we have.
Enjoy reading, writing and eating. Cheers.

Joan (about 8 years old).

Joan 2011.

Stephen King?!

Well, yes. Imagine that. My writer/editor friend Cynthia Heinrichs suggested I might like Stephen King's book about writing: On Writing: a memoir of the craft it's called. Catchy title, you say. But he gets right to the point. I just started reading it because Cynthia's brilliant novel  Under the Mound is too heavy for me to carry on the bus if I want to shop and read. I actually laughed out loud! People on the bus ignored me, thank goodness. I'm only up to chapter one (there are three prefaces) but at this point I can say he's got my attention. His childhood memories are oddly like my own. And he's obviously making a point that your impressions and experiences colour your writing. In other words Pay Attention. Haven't I always said that?

Thank You CCBC!

Can Hens Give Milk? has made the CCBC list of Best Books for Kids and Teens for Spring 2012. Thank you to the Canadian Children's Book Centre for this honour, Joe Weissmann for illustrating my story, and Orca Books for publishing it in 2011.