So, we made it through the first week of school! As usual, I've been discussing body language with my students, telling them how important it is to look alert and alive (and happy helps, too) in the classroom. I've also told students in both my Journalism and Writing for Children classes to pay attention to other people's body language since these details can really help bring a story(and your characters) to life. It just so happens that yesterday there was a great quote in The Globe & Mail newspaper about body language. It comes from Lord Chesterfield (I believe chesterfields -- a fancy word for couches -- are named for him). Here's the quote: "Mind not only what people say, but how they say it; and if you have any sagacity, you may discover more truth by your eyes than by your ears. People can say what they will, but they cannot look just as they will; and their looks frequently [reveal] what their words are calculated to conceal." Right on, Lord Sofa, I mean, Lord Chesterfield!!
Monday morning early, I'm taking a plane to Wemindji, a Cree community on James Bay. I'm going with my photographer friend Monique Dykstra -- and with another photographer/filmmaker/writer Louise Abbott, who will be filming us. We're going to spend a couple of days working with students in Wemindji. I get to tell them about my books -- and help them with their own writing. Not sure whether I'll be able to write my blog from there -- but if I can, I will. Either way, I should have plenty to report on by the end of next week. People are complaining about the cold here in Montreal... but something tells me Wemindji is going to be way colder. Time to figure out where I stashed the long underwear! Have a great weekend. Keep your eyes peeled for interesting body language. And if you see some, WRITE IT DOWN!!