Inspiration Works Both Ways -- This Morning's Visit to Westmount Park Elementary School

Have you ever noticed how EVERYTHING IS A STORY? (It's one of the things I love most about being alive!)

So, here's the story behind my visit this morning to Westmount Park Elementary School where I worked with Ms. Kiley's Grades 3 and 4 class, and Miss Katrina's Grade 6's. That's Ms. Kiley at the top, left hand-corner of today's pic. And Mr. David is at the top right-hand corner. (You'll see that he is part of my story too -- and so his dog Maddie!!).

About three years ago, I was at Westmount Park Elementary to read from my picture book The Brass Charm and do writing workshops with the students. At the time, I got into a super interesting conversation with some of the kids -- and it has stayed with me ever since. I knew I needed to return to Westmount Park and spend more time with the students, some of whom were born in faraway places, but now call Montreal home.

Fast forward to last month when I was walking our dog Pepper. Pepper is super cute, but not that well-behaved around other dogs. So I was rather astonished when Pepper behaved himself and actually made friends with a lovely dog named Maddie. And to add to my happiness, I knew Maddie's owner! It's Mr. David, with whom I sometimes worked when he was the World editor at the Montreal Gazette. (As you can imagine, Mr. David knows a lot about writing -- and also about the world.) Mr. David told me he volunteers twice a week at Westmount Park Elementary, where he works with Ms. Kiley's kids. Anyway, he put in a good word for me -- which is how I got to spend this morning at the school!

I did a mini-writing workshop with both classes. With the younger students, I focused on creative writing. But because Ms. Katrina's students are preparing for their final exam in which they'll also have to write an essay, I also covered some essay-writing tips. I explained that for most writers writing is our way of thinking. And I emphasized the importance of ORGANIZING their thoughts. We even looked at a few organizational strategies such as going from simple to complex ideas, or from most obvious to least obvious ones.

And I also got to pick the students' brains about my latest research OBSESSION. Let's just say the kids had so many interesting things to tell me I nearly ran out of paper!

And to make you laugh, I thought I'd include Archer's answer when I asked the students what they think I do every single morning when I wake up. (I was about to tell the students that I write in my journal.) But Archer had a better answer -- he said, "You have a coffee!" Which, in fact, I do!!

So special thanks to Mr. David, Ms. Kiley, Miss Katrina and childcare worker Fayth, for your warm welcome today, and thanks of course to all the students. I hope I inspired you to write stories (and essays). What I know for sure is YOU INSPIRED ME. Big hug to all of you from Monique