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Monique Polak's Blog
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In this blog, I'll give you weekly updates on the writing life.

May 20
2010

Snail Mail

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

These days, most readers contact authors over the Internet... but yesterday, I actually received two old-fashioned snail mail letters. Both are from students at Hadley Junior School in Glen Ellyn,

May 19
2010

Moving to a New Rhythm

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The new rhythm I'm moving to is a SLOWER one. That's because my marking is nearly all done (just two late assignments left)... and I'm back at my desk most of the day. It's nice not

May 18
2010

Upcoming Children's Writing Conference

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The bad news is that picture book author and illustrator Mélanie Watt is out of town and my interview with her has been postponed till June. The good news is I have a wide-open day, with lots

May 17
2010

I Used to Think Taking Pictures Was Easy...

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I used to think that compared to writing, taking pictures was easy! Until, that is, I started hanging out with photographers.

Monique Dykstra is one of those photographers. We have worked together

May 13
2010

Louis Sachar Coming to Montreal This Summer

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I was excited to learn that children's author Louis Sachar will be coming to read in Montreal this summer. You may know Sachar's YA book, Holes, which is one of my all-time favourites

May 10
2010

Proud Teacher Clucks

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I think perhaps most of all, we teachers need to teach our students to be independent. That's why when students come to see me for help with their writing, I make a point of NOT doing all the work

May 06
2010

Got Talent? Then Use It!

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IMG_1414.jpgIn today's pic, you'll meet my "Writing for Children" class. Our semester ends

May 02
2010

Inside and Outside

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IMG_212121.jpgToday's pic is the OUTSIDE of our house. I wanted to show off our spring garden -- still

Apr 28
2010

All Oprah All the Time

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Why, you may be wondering, is my mind on Oprah Winfrey, host of the world's most popular talk show? It's because I'm reviewing Kitty Kelley's recently released unauthorized bio of Oprah

Apr 25
2010

Days 3 & 4: Blue Met

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

It's Sunday morning, and my desk need some serious tidying. That's because it's covered with notes I took during the Blue Metropolis Literary Festival, which comes to an end today. Yesterday