Since 2006, I've had the great privilege of participating in an exciting educational program called Quebec Roots, run by Montreal's Blue Metropolis Literary Foundation. The program allows writersand photographers to visit English schools throughout the province in order to help students produce their own photo essays.
That's how I got to travel to Kangiqsualujjuaq, where I got the idea for my latest book The Middle of Everywhere.
In the next couple of months, I'll be getting to see even more of Quebec! Photographer Monique Dykstra and I will be going to Harrington Harbour, which is close to Newfoundland! We're also going to work with students at Nesbitt School here in Montreal. And together with photographer Thomas Kneubuhler, I'll be traveling to a town called Akulivik to work with Inuit students, and then to Mistissini in the James Bay region to work with Cree students. I don't know about you, but I SMELL STORIES! LOTS OF THEM!! (And that makes me very happy!!!)
I spent today meeting with teachers from some of these schools and this afternoon, I did a writing workshop for the group. I think I overwhelmed them with my energy... which is what happens when you put a person like me who hasn't really taught in five months in front of a captive audience!
So you can expect this faithful blogger to be writing to you from some pretty interesting locations in the next couple of months!
And -- also on the travel front -- thanks to the Conseil des Arts et Lettres du Quebec, I'll be returning to Kangiqsualujjuaq to launch the new book in the community that inspired the idea. Expect some snowy photographs from the far north!