Ottawa and Winnipeg – And The Things I Learned Giving 15 Presentations in One Week

The rest of my week was a blur of incredible school visits. I’d like to give shout-outs to Immaculata High School, St. Joseph’s High School and Mother Theresa High School in Ottawa. The students were so welcoming (okay, aside from one 12th grader who asked, after I showed a clip of a TV show I wrote for, whether or not I ever got to write dialogue “that wasn’t cheesy and full of cliches” – it’s at moments like that when I have to try really, really hard to remember that I am the adult, and that I am not allowed to call him a poo head no matter how much I’m dying to do it). I’m particularly thrilled that the teacher-librarians – the awesome Darlene, Sarah and Catherine – had me visit their schools. ‘Cos, you know, they’re all Catholic schools, and “Word Nerd” did cause some mild controversy, but these gals didn’t let it stop them from having me visit, and they treated me very well, chauffeuring me all over the city and feeding me too. Oh, and I also really appreciated (sincerely) the girl who wanted to kidnap me.I’d also like to say thanks to the librarians at the Carlingwood and Nepean branches, and a particular merci to Margaret, who helped me while away a few hours and took me out to dinner.

I don’t have any photos from Ottawa! But I may get some from the teachers and if I do, I’ll post them.Then it was on to Winnipeg. I have a soft spot for Winnipeg. I’m not sure why. Perhaps because my grandma grew up there? I’ve visited fairly often and I always enjoy myself. The people are so friendly. And the weather was spectacular – crystal clear blue skies and about 20 degrees every day. Again, I was treated so well. And I just loved the kids. At one point in my presentation – which is about writing for TV versus writing for books – I ask the kids to be brutally honest after I’ve read aloud about a minute of a screenplay (screenplays don’t “read aloud” well). This one kid said, “It’s like listening to you read the serial number from the side of a milk carton.” !!! I loved it. And their questions and comments were smart and hilarious. It’s all kind of blur now, but I do remember one kid asking “If you could live in one of your novels, which one would it be?” And “Which character in your books would you like to be friends with?”

Shout-outs go to Dalhousie, Acadia, Chancellor, Henry G. Izatt, Nordale and Pacific Junction schools … And to their lovely teacher-librarians, Paula, Jo-Anne, Vivianne, Cathy and Elana.

Here’s a photo of the sign that awaited me outside Acadia …

And last, but far from least, I also got to visit Dawson Trail School in Lorette, Manitoba. It’s about 25 minutes outside of Winnipeg, in beautiful countryside. Thanks to Jessica for making it so, and to Laird and Keith, my handsome chauffeurs. This is what greeted me in the foyer:

How cute are these drawings!!

Oh yeah, so, the things I learned: 1) I don’t need as much sleep as I thought. 2) To think on my feet. Constantly. 3) To go with the flow. 4) To have a thick skin. So I don’t tell any kid he’s a poo head.