Monique Polak

The first class I met were Mrs. Dalton's students. One guy in the class -- Chazz -- is a reading junkie. At one point during my presentation, I caught him reading. (Now, if he'd been reading one of my books, I might not have minded!!) Apparently, Chazz even reads during gym class. To be completely honest, I think it's a pretty wonderful condition!! What writer or librarian could disapprove of a young person who can't stop reading?!! Another student, Rebeccah, had a good story of her own. Yesterday, she and a friend got trapped in the school gym's garage. Apparently, it took a while for the gym teacher to figure out they were in there. I told Rebecca that story might make a good opening for a teen novel. A student named Victoria told me something interesting about her family: she has a two-year-old brother who was adopted from a troubled family. Thank goodness, the brother seems to be doing really well. A student named Kady sat quietly in the corner, but I could tell from her body language (in case you don't knwo it, I'm obsessed with body language) she was really interested in writing. 

Several of the students in the second class I spoke to (their teacher's name is Mrs. Hunter) had cool nicknames (which made think I should do a better job of giving my characters nicknames in my books). One guy whose blond hair matched perfectly with his sweater was named Eric, but his nickname is Rico. Then there was Veronica, who likes being called Vee. She told me she collects cows -- both live ones and stuffed ones. (In case you're wondering about her live cow collection, it turns out her dad owns a farm.) Also, a student named Erin had a cool haircut -- and she told me Kady (from Mrs. Dalton's class) had cut her hair. I thought that was a fun coincidence -- and it confirmed my sense that Kady has a strong artistic side. 

The last group "belonged" to Ms. Thauvette. (Can students belong to their teachers?) Though Ms. Thauvette warned me her students could sometimes be a little too talkative,  I found they were really focused. Cody, a young man who sat up front, told me he has a personal story about a difficult childhood experience he'd like to write -- and perhaps sell to The Globe & Mail newspaper's Facts & Arguments page. (I told the students The Globe & Mail runs a personal essay Monday through Fridays on the Facts & Arguments page, and I encouraged them to send their submissions there.) A student named Camille happened to be wearing a lime green sweatshirt  -- and when she stood up, I noticed how she was also wearing neon green leggings. (In case you're far away reading this -- the sky in Montreal today is thick with clouds, and so that burst of lime green felt like a treat!) Another student named Sanya told me she is diabetic and has to give herself insulin injections three times a day, including once at lunch. Luckily, Sanya has a friend Joy (whom I also met) who hangs out and provides support to Sanya when she gives herself her insulin shot at school. I hope you can tell from this entry how excited I was to meet so many interesting young people. Everyone -- every single one of us -- has a story. I think our job,  not just as writers, but as people, is to discover other people's stories. Before I sign off for today, I want to say a big thank-you to librarian Dayle Cushen who invited me to visit Lindsay Place. Thanks also to the students and their teachers: you guys have given me a new burst of energy to bring to my stories about teenagers!

THE SHOWER!! And it's not just me. I've heard this from other writers, too. Sometimes, when I'm in the shower, I actually hear my characters talking (I know this sounds crazy, but it's actually a very good thing for a writer to hear her characters talking). When that happens, I jump out of the shower, wrap myself in a towel, and rush to my office (it's next to the bathroom, fortunately) to write down what it is I heard my characters saying. 

In my next blog entry, I'll tell you about napping and creativity. In the mean time, when you take your shower tonight or tomorrow morning, see if any creative ideas come  to you!! 

I also met up with two of my writing friends in Toronto: Hadley Dyer and Jocelyn Shipley -- and today, I want to tell you what they're up to writing-wise. Hadley was my editor at James Lorimer and Co. I owe her a huge debt for being such a thorough and inspiring editor. She recently resigned from Lorimer so she could write full-time. Her first novel Johnny Kellock Died Today (HarperCollins) is a must-read. It won the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award and was recently nominated for the TD Children's Book Prize. The story is set in Nova Scotia, where Hadley grew up. On Friday night, Hadley and I had dinner at a wonderful vegetarian restaurant on Bloor Street, where we caught up and "talked shop." Hadley is nearly through the first draft of her next book. We also talked a lot about her new dog, Luke, and I was not surprised to learn that there's a dog in the upcoming book. 

On Sunday morning, before I caught the train home, I met up with another Toronto children's writer -- Jocelyn Shipley. Jocelyn and I met two years ago at Book Expo in Toronto and hit it off. I've read and thoroughly enjoyed Jocelyn's book Seraphina's Circle. It's a lot about sisters and secrets and I'd say it has a slightly old-fashioned charm (a little like Lucy Maude Montgomery's writing). That book was recently nominated for a Stellar Award. Jocelyn and Toronto children's writer Deborah Lougheed are co-editing a collection of short stories about daughters and mothers and body image. Their book, which has the very cool title Cleavage, is due out this spring with Sumach Press. 

There is something special about hanging out with old friends (like Lisa and Janet.) And there is also something special about meeting up with writing friends (like Hadley and Jocelyn) who share my passion for stories and face some of the same struggles I do. 

Okay, back to the writing!!