It seems appropriate that I am FLYING HIGH after Day 1 at the MASC Young Authors Conference in Ottawa -- since it was held in the Canada Aviation and Space Museum!
The two groups of students I worked with were amazing. In the first group, a student named Abdel told me, "I read a lot because it enhaces my vocabulary" -- and Abdel is only ten. Then a student named Laura raised her hand to say she reads the dictionary sometimes. Which led me to discover that Natassia, Cohen, Meisha, Briana, Mikael, Oliver, Ketsia, Rebecca, Kindra and Ella are also dictionary readers!
If you are wondering what is going on in today's pic... I took it when I gave the students an exercise to write a book blurb, and a student named Kindra wanted to hide what she had written. As I told Kindra, I consider that a sign that her work must have been important and terrific. Write that book, Kindra!
A student named Allegra asked me a question that I thought was just brilliant: "What if you have so many great ideas -- how do you choose one? And what if you start one, but then you feel like starting another? How do you ever finish?" Wow, Allegra, that question makes me think you really understand what goes on in a writer's mind. You know how I finish? By sheer stick-to-it-iveness.
In my second group, a student named Brenna started writing a story that I really really hope she will continue working on. Here's how it begins: "The shotgun felt heavy in my five year old arms. My uncle holds my arms steady as he takes off the safety." Now aren't you eager to know what is going to happen next?
It's time now to go to a party with my fellow writers and illustrators. I'll keep posting about my adventures here in Ottawa over the next couple of days. Thanks MASC for inviting me, and thanks to the students I worked with today -- you guys were amazing. Keep reading the dictionary!! And writing and reading books of all kinds!!!
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Comments
hi Monique. I was wondering maybe if u could edit the blog a bit. I was hoping to get my motto put in. I sorry i'm being so buggy. (I like being the center of attention... kidding!) by the way, I started writing the story about Sylvie and the robbery. I might send you a few paragraphes of it if I can. sorry about the motto thing. but thanks so much for the tips!!!!!!!
Love,
Alyson
PS. (was wondering how you could publish stuff, and what a manusprict is exactly?)
hi again! sorry about so many comments. just asking if maybe you could help me a bit with my story. should I use i for it, as in the girl talking, or second point of view (Ex: she walked over to him) need some help! will email you what I got so far.158
I had a ton of fun today with you in the morning!!!
Hi Monique! It's Ella (the one who drew the vines). Just wanted to say thank you for all your amazing writing tips! I think I have fifteen in total! I am looking forward to starting your book Hate Mail tonight! Thanks again for the amazing experience!
hi Monique, this is Allegra ,thank you very much for calling me brilliant and I had a EPIC time at M.A.S.C!!!!!! I hope one day I become a great writer like you!!!
hi I was wondering if since you are such an inspiring writer I was wondering if I sent you a few paragraphs of a story I wrote thx
Allegra
might sign up quickly for today! on the day!
might sign up for day 2! on day 2!
alyson
Hi Monique! I'm Justine, and I really enjoyed your workshop yesterday