Tonight I’m going to the launch of the Toronto Public Library’s 2010 Young Voices magazine. It’s a magazine of art and writing by 12 to 19 year-olds. I’ve been a guest editor of the magazine for four years, and I love encouraging young writers.
If you know any teen writers or illustrators in Toronto, please let them know about the magazine. The deadline for submissions is every April. Here’s a link.
Check out my brand new video for my novel The Castle Key. I made this video myself, so I’m quite proud. Here’s what Canadian Children’s Literature had to say about the novel: “A complex and fascinating story. This is one fantasy novel for young teens that is not to be missed.”
You can check out my YouTube channel here.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RdYqyv6tK0&feature=player_embedded
A nine-year-old girl who loves to write. A birthday party. What better way to celebrate her birthday than with writing games?
This Saturday, I conducted a series of writing games for nine-year-old Saskia and 19 of her friends. As the guests entered Saskia’s home, they were greeted by the words “Creativity World” written in 12 different languages. Together, we played games with words – creating evil villains, writing using masks, and using “story dice” to tell stories as a group. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the creative worlds of these girls. Saskia and her friends are fine writers.
It was an intriguing idea for a birthday party – one that I would have enjoyed when I was a kid. Heck, I’d even enjoy it now!
I just returned from a three-day writer’s retreat. Do I look relaxed in this photo?
It’s amazing how fast the time goes when writing. Three days are over in a blink. Writing a novel is such a time-intensive pursuit, while an eager reader can devour that effort in mere hours.
What’s great about a retreat is simply having the quiet, empty space to ponder characters and to delve deeper into who they are, what drives them, what irks them, what moments will change their lives. And these characters do live. There’s no mistaking it. They come to life in quiet writerly moments, and they continue to thrive in the minds of readers.
If you’re interested in writing or illustrating for kids or teens, check out CANSCAIP’s Packaging Your Imagination conference, an annual day of workshops by experts in the field. This year, the conference will be held at Victoria College in Toronto on Saturday, November 6th. As Vice-President of CANSCAIP, I’m spearheading the committee to organize the day, and it promises to be inspirational. With workshops on non-fiction illustration, cartooning, how to write graphic novels, mystery writing, and much more, you’ll get excited about creating for kids. So book Saturday, November 6th in your calendar and register soon. See you there!
I’ve posted a new section on my website of writing activities based on my WordPlayer writing program. I first developed the program as a lunch-time drop-in writing club at Presteign Heights Public School in Toronto during 2005 to 2006. Since then, I’ve conducted WordPlayer workshops throughout Ontario and Quebec with kids, teens, and adults, further developing the program. Click here to explore new ways to start writing, how to share your writing, and how to revise.
I’m excited by a new volunteer job that I’m about to start. Next week, I’ll begin volunteering at the Red Door Family Shelter in Toronto. Red Door offers help for families who are experiencing a housing crisis, families who are refugee claimants, and women and children who are escaping domestic violence. I’ll start by helping to provide childcare at one of their shelters for the summer. Once I get to know the place and the people better, I plan to run evening writing workshops for kids and parents. In the meantime, I’ll be reading plenty of great Canadian children’s books to the kids.
I often get asked why I write for kids and teens. Usually, it’s an adult asking, and the implied message is, “Why don’t you write for us?”
I prefer to write for ages 8 to 18 because it’s a rich time of life that is full of so many ups and downs, trials and victories. The teenage years in particular are ripe with possibilities for conflict, which is central to any story.
I do want to point out that writing for kids and teens is not easier than writing for adults. And it’s not about teaching them a lesson.
People who write for kids and teens typically adore stories, respect children of all ages, and have child-like voices inside them that cannot be silenced.
Here’s my new video trailer for Pure, a futuristic novel about genetic engineering, the healing power of art, family secrets and lies.
I got the idea for Pure when I heard an interview with Maureen McTeer on CBC radio. She had published a book about the ethical and legal implications of genetic technologies. The interviewer asked something like, “How would a teen feel to have been genetically ‘arranged’ by his or her parents?” With that one question, an idea for a novel for teens began to grow.
I began to ask “what if” questions: 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?
Today’s teens will have to face some sticky ethical questions in their lifetimes. Who has a right to determine a person’s genetic make-up? And how will we treat our genetic underclass?
Pure explores these questions, and more.
Thanks to Air Productions for creating the trailer, and to Kevin MacLeod for the music. Enjoy!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDhR4RCg29I&feature=player_embedded
On May 5, I did a book talk for 98 grade eight students at the Barbara Frum Library in Toronto. The students were attentive and responsive, and they were particularly involved with an oral writing exercise. Youth Services Specialist Claire Argyropoulos had this to say about the presentation: “Karen really inspired the students, and it was a pleasure having her here. She did a great job, and I would highly recommend her.” Thanks to Claire and the Toronto Public Library for arranging the event.