I know I need to write a story when it just won't go away. It's kind of like a pesky fly in summer... only it's a good thing, and not pesky in an annoying way.
Last week, when I gothome from Nunavik (that's part of Quebec, in the eastern Arctic), I felt exactly that way. Even though I was supposed to be working on my new book, there was a story brewing inside me that well, just wouldn't go away. And so I spent a couple of days writing it. I wasn't sure I'd be able to sell it, but that didn't stop me. My objective was to release the story, tell it for its own sake.
Well then, guess what happened next? I submitted it to The Gazette (our local paper) which hardly ever publishes short stories... and they bought it. It's a kind of Christmas story and since there won't be a paper on Christmas day, it's going to run on December 24, illustrated with photographs taken by my friend Thomas Kneubuhler, who was with me in Akulivik working on a Blue Metropolis Literary Foundation project called Quebec Roots.
Which goes to show you: follow your instincts. Tell the stories you need to tell, the pesky ones that just won't go away. Hope there's some story flying in your head today!
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Comments
Monique,
Tu m'impressionnes toujours! Quelle action et quelle efficacité. Cette histoire sera notre petit cadeau de Noël, j'aime beaucoup l'idée. Je suis vraiment heureuse de voir que ce voyage aura permis une nouvelle collaboration avec Thomas K.
Merci pour les récits, nous sommes des lecteurs assidus.
Maïté
Monique:
Thanks for posting the details and pics of your jaunts to Harrington Harbour and le Grand Nord.
I always find it so inspiring to read about kid and YA writers working with young people in remote communities.
The effect of this two groups coming together and communicating cannot be underestimated.
You must know how blessed and fortunate you are to have gone twice to Le Grand Nord, an area many folks dream of venturing to but never get there.
All the best,
Carol-Ann
Monique,
Je continue en français vu que tu sembles apprécier On a raté la sortie de la Christmas story dans the Gazette. Noam avait décidé de mettre en peu de piquant dans notre vie pour le réveillon de Noël, il s'est déboité le coude en sautant sur notre lit Heureusement tout le monde était sur pied en soirée pour faire la fête mais on a oublié d'acheter le journal. Pourrais-tu me garder un exemplaire au chaud? Thank you!
Maïté