On October 20, 2007, I enjoyed a writing workshop with enthusiastic teen writers at the Young Voices Writers Conference. The event was held at the North York Central Library in Toronto. In my workshop, I focussed on how to revise a work of fiction, demonstrating my own revision process then discussing specific ways to polish prose with writing exercises to show technique.
On October 18, 2007, I joined the staff of the Toronto Public Library to celebrate the launch of Young Voices 2007, the library’s annual magazine for teen writing and art. As a guest editor of the magazine, I congratulated this year’s winners and encouraged teens aged 12 to 19 to enter their writing for next year’s magazine, when I’ll again act as an editor. For more information about how to submit, go to Young Voices magazine.
Resource Links, a national reviewing journal, selected Pure as Best of the Year 2006 in the category of fiction for grades 7 to 12. Set in a future where genetic engineering of humans is forbidden, Pure tells the story of Lenni – a misfit artist who discovers she has a surprising gift for healing.
Teens aged 12 to 19 joined me for a prose workshop at the North York Central Library in Toronto on February 20, 2007. Participants worked on their creative writing with an eye to submitting to Young Voices, Toronto Public Library’s magazine for teen writing and art. Participant Sanjeev Narayanaswamy wrote this review of the workshop.
The Ontario Library Association nominated Take the Stairs for the 2005 White Pine Award. This novel in thirteen voices reveals the private thoughts and dreams of the thirteen teens who live in a rundown inner-city building as they struggle to turn obstacles into opportunities and make their way in the world.