by Karen Krossing | Apr 7, 2011 | On Writing
I believe writers need to “play” with words – to have fun with them. I use writing exercises to:
- access my intuitive side.
- explore new writing styles and techniques.
- discover new directions for a work-in-progress.
There are so many ways to play with words. You can:
- write from an object (for example, a cannonball in a museum or a colourful box of pastels).
- begin with a sentence (for example, “The noise grew louder when he opened the door”).
- write from an illustration or photo (for example, Steve McCurry’s portraits).
For more ideas about how to play with words, go to my WordPlay page.
by Karen Krossing | Mar 11, 2011 | Mentoring, Presentation News
On March 10, I ran a writing workshop for teens at Covenant House Toronto. It was a great opportunity to interact with the teens there, and listen to their fabulous insights through writing. My only complaint is that I wish I could have had more time with them. Luckily, at least one of the teens agreed with me.
I was delighted to receive workshop reviews from some of the teens who attended. With their permission, I’ve included excerpts here:
“The workshop in my opinion was freaking awesome. I enjoyed it a lot. I love to write. It is one of my favourite pastimes. It helps you figure yourself out as well as clear your head. The only thing about the workshop that I did not like was the fact that it was rather short, and in my opinion, it would have been more effective and entertaining if we were able to have you come back for a full day! The one aspect of the workshop that I really enjoyed is that the creativity level of each participant was phenomenal. Everyone was really creative, motivated, and descriptive in their short stories.”
Thomas
“I loved it so much. It made me so interested in writing. The reason was how she made us be interested in what we wrote. In my opinion, I found the workshop very valuable because it got me focussed with the writing that I’m trying to accomplish. I also loved the games that she made us do; it made me find another strategy to keep me writing.”
Anonymous
“The presenter was very encouraging and put a few twists into the workshop with the photographs and the word box, which gave it a feel of originality. It’s interesting to see that the writing runs in the family, and I would hope to perhaps explore the book titles left behind. The speaker was extremely pleasant and I believe she put everyone at ease.”
Anonymous
“I really enjoyed Karen’s workshop. She gave everyone the opportunity to express themselves creatively in a non-judgmental environment. The activities we took part in were interactive and interesting. I would encourage any high school student to take part in these workshops, as writing creatively can be used in so many different ways, and be a lot of fun too.”
Anonymous
This outreach workshop was facilitated by the Toronto Public Library as part of their Young Voices Magazine of teen writing and art. Teens between the ages of 12 and 19 years who live or go to school in the City of Toronto are invited to submit poetry, prose, rants, art, and photography for the 2011 Young Voices Magazine by April 2. You can submit online or drop your work off at any library branch. Submissions will be evaluated in the spring and the finished product launches in October. Good luck to all who submit!
by Karen Krossing | Feb 15, 2011 | On Writing
The Writers’ Union of Canada, under the leadership of Chair Alan Cumyn, has produced its first video. Written by Alan and featuring five writers, the video will be distributed widely to express TWUC’s concerns about Bill C-32, an Act to Amend the Copyright Act. Please help spread the word about this important issue.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qrcNksj5DE
by Karen Krossing | Feb 4, 2011 | Mentoring, Presentation News
Last night, I attended the second official meeting of a new teen writers’ group at the Barbara Frum Library in Toronto. Organized by Youth Services Specialist Claire Argyropoulos, this group offers teens a place to share their works-in-progress and get valuable feedback. I was invited to talk to the group about the writing process and how to set up a nurturing and dynamic writing group. We also wrote together and critiqued each others’ work. Here’s what Claire Argyropoulos had to say about the evening: “Your workshop was very enjoyable, and the girls thought you were inspiring. They really enjoyed the exercises, and you gave them a lot of good tips. I hope you can come back soon to give us more of your wisdom and insight.”
by Karen Krossing | Jan 17, 2011 | On Writing
In my recent blog posts, I wrote about how to begin writing from personal experience and by observing people. Here’s how you can write by asking “what-if” questions.
When we ask ourselves “what-if” questions, we can imagine whole new worlds, new ways of living, and unique characters who are dealing with unusual circumstances.
When I wrote Pure, I began by asking:
- What if parents could genetically choose a child — ensure she grew up unusually smart, healthy, or attractive?
- How would a teenager react to the news that her parents had genetically enhanced her?
- What if that genetic enhancement came with unexpected physical and social consequences?
This technique is particularly useful for imagining fantasy and science fiction stories.
What if men could have babies too? How would it change our society?
What if we could alter our skin colour just by thinking about it?
What if Native Americans had not signed treaties with the settlers, and the settlers had adopted Native ways instead?
The possibilities are endless.
Children’s fantasy writer Jane Yolen writes, “Surely one of the great things about fantasy literature is that we can be transported to worlds we do not know. We can wear skins that are not ours. We can look at the landscape through someone else’s eyes.”
by Karen Krossing | Jan 4, 2011 | On Writing
In a previous blog post, I wrote about how to begin a story by writing from personal experience. Another way to begin writing is by observing people. Here’s how you can use this technique.
Wherever you go and whatever you do, you are a writer. You can gather material from every aspect of your life. Every moment is an opportunity to fill your creative well.
I have been in trying circumstances and said to myself, “Maybe I can write about this later.” It consoles me when things are tough, and inspires me to try out new experiences.
So I suggest you eavesdrop on people sitting at the next table in a restaurant, or at a bus stop, or at work or school. Observe how your body reacts when you feel angry, sad, happy, and so on. Make note of sensory experiences (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell) so you can use them in your writing.
Write down your observations. Borrow shamelessly from life around you. Let life inspire your writing.
In a later post, I’ll explore how to write by asking “what-if” questions.
by Karen Krossing | Dec 22, 2010 | On Writing
Check out this quirky and insightful interview of me at author Sarah Raymond‘s blog. Sarah’s first young-adult novel Signs of Martha will be published with Great Plains Publications in Spring 2011. What is Sarah’s novel about, you ask? Here’s a teaser: When Martha apprentices under an off-beat signpainter, she paints herself into an uncomfortable corner. Good luck with the novel, Sarah!
by Karen Krossing | Dec 18, 2010 | On Writing
There are many ways to begin a story: one is writing from personal experience. Here’s how you can use this technique.
Ask yourself what moments from your childhood stand out for you? Which ones can you recall in vivid detail, which stories did your parents repeat to you over and over, which ones were the most terrifying or the most exhilarating? When you find a moment with energy, write it down. It may not become a story right away. It may begin as an anecdote. But collect these anecdotes until you begin to find the links and connections that will pull them into a story.
You may want to fictionalize personal experience, combining real events with imagination to make a story. I used this technique in Take the Stairs, which is based on personal experiences I had as a teen as well as those of people around me. Or, you may want to retain the flavour of actual events, using real names and places, like in a memoir. Either way, you’re looking to arrange reality into a story.
Here’s a quote from Alice Munro that I like: “Anecdotes don’t make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.”
In later posts, I’ll explore how to write by observing people and by asking “what-if” questions.
by Karen Krossing | Nov 30, 2010 | On Writing
A new study conducted by Antanas Sileika, Director of the Humber School for Writers, complied information about the ages of Canadian fiction and nonfiction authors who publish for the first time. It turns out that people do not publish quite as young as Sileika first thought. The average age of the first-time Canadian author is 42, which also happens to be the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything” in Douglas Adams’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series of science fiction novels. Is this a coincidence? Perhaps not.
by Karen Krossing | Nov 21, 2010 | Book News
I’m in the middle of plot revisions for my new novel, so I’m thinking hard. It’s a novel for teens titled The Yo-Yo Prophet, and it’ll be out in Fall 2011 with Orca Books – an fine publisher of quality books for kids and teens. So right now, I’m trying to think like a slightly geeky 15-year-old guy named Calvin Layne who is obsessed with complex yoyo tricks. I’ve been tossing my yoyo to get into character, although Calvin’s much better at it than I am. Here’s what Calvin is thinking about right now: “The world is spinning at the end of my string, and I’m not about to let go.”
