Author's Corner

Words of Wisdom What Authors have to say. This is what "real" authors have to say about the writing process (BACK)

Jo Ellen Bogart:
Write a letter to an imaginary friend to tell that friend what' s happening in your life - or in your cousin's life, or your dog's life, or your iguana's life (even if you don't have an iguana). If the truth needs rearranging, do it. If made-up parts make the story better, add them. Throw your ingredients into the pot and stir!

Palette Borgeois:
If you have trouble ending your stories, why not start your story at the end? Make up a great last line and then work backwards, asking yourself questions like: How could this happen? Whom did this happen to? What were those characters like?

Lyn Cook:
Lyn Cook has discovered all kinds of ideas for her books by learning about her family history and about the history of Canada. Inquire into your own family or community history and write a story based on what you've learned.

Martyn Godfrey:
When kids ask Martyn how to be funny in a story, he tells them to do three things. One: Create a ridiculous character (some of Martyn's favourites can be found in books by Gordon Korman). Two: Put that character in a ridiculous situation (for example, knocking over a vase on a class trip to a museum). Three: Include slapstick which includes a person in authority who has been written to be unlikeable (for example, the vase falls on the principal's head). Try it yourself!

Monica Hughes:
Often, in Monica Hughes' books, characters with very different backgrounds share an adventure. She suggests that you and your friends clip a collection of human interest stories out of the newspaper. Then mix the clippings up , select two at random and write a story that ties the two together. Where the two ideas intersect, the story begins.

Bernice Thurman Hunter:
Bernice Thurman Hunter suggests you write about yourself . Think about an important or memorable thing that has happened to you, then start writing.

Gordon Korman:
Create a team to play your favourite sport. Who are the stars? The duds? The crazy personalities? How far can they go? All the way to the championships?

Paul Kropp:
Do some research on something you know nothing about, then include it in a piece of writing. Interview someone at a police station to find out more about police procedures; call a factory and ask for a tour of the assembly line; or contact a worker in a fast food restaurant and ask to see what they do on an average day. The more you learn, the more interesting your writing will be.

Jean Little:
Choose a minor character from a favourite story and write a diary for that character. In the beginning, you'll probably end up writing about things that actually happen in the book, but eventually you may think of other things to write about and you'll begin to see your character as a whole, real person.

Janet Lunn:
Janet Lunn believes that in order to train yourself as a writer, you have to have eyes like a painter's eyes: you need to look at things and be able to describe them. If you're really serious about writing, every day describe so mething new. Use the best few words you can find in your description.

Robert Munsch:
If you want to write a story, tell it to three different friends first, then write it down. This will help you work out the bugs.

Barbara Smucker:
Barbara Smucker's stories are based on true stories that she has heard. She suggests you interview your grandmother or grandfather or some older person you know and do a little story research. Ask what their lives were like when they were your age. What did they wear? What did they study? What sports or games do they play? What important world events were happening?

Ted Staunton:
Plan a story by working up a story board. Get a piece of paper and draw lines to divide it into eight sections (each will represent one section of your book) and then begin to draft your story by jotting notes in each of the boxes. You may already know, for instance, how you want it to end and maybe one or two things what will happen in the middle. Fill those in first and then use these as clues to help you map out the rest of the book.

Cora Taylor:
Cora Taylor suggests this story writing tactic. Think of three unrelated things, then challenge yourself to somehow tie all three together in one story.

Eric Wilson:
Accurate description is very important to Eric Wilson, so he's always very careful to describe not only what is seen but also what can be heard, smelled, touched and tasted. Try to remember to include descriptions of all the things your characters sense the next time you write a story.

A project supported by the