Monique's Blog |
Dec 21
2009
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Stories that Just Won't Go AwayPosted by Monique Polak in Untagged |
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I know I need to write a story when it just won't go away. It's kind of like a pesky fly in summer... only it's a good thing, and not pesky in an annoying way.
Last week, when I gothome from Nunavik (that's part of Quebec, in the eastern Arctic), I felt exactly that way. Even though I was supposed to be working on my new book, there was a story brewing inside me that well, just wouldn't go away. And so I spent a couple of days writing it. I wasn't sure I'd be able to sell it, but that didn't stop me. My objective was to release the story, tell it for its own sake.
Well then, guess what happened next? I submitted it to The Gazette (our local paper) which hardly ever publishes short stories... and they bought it. It's a kind of Christmas story and since there won't be a paper on Christmas day, it's going to run on December 24, illustrated with photographs taken by my friend Thomas Kneubuhler, who was with me in Akulivik working on a Blue Metropolis Literary Foundation project called Quebec Roots.
Which goes to show you: follow your instincts. Tell the stories you need to tell, the pesky ones that just won't go away. Hope there's some story flying in your head today!
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Maïté
said:
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Monique, Tu m'impressionnes toujours! Quelle action et quelle efficacité. Cette histoire sera notre petit cadeau de Noël, j'aime beaucoup l'idée. Je suis vraiment heureuse de voir que ce voyage aura permis une nouvelle collaboration avec Thomas K. Merci pour les récits, nous sommes des lecteurs assidus. Maïté |
Monique
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Allo chere Maité, Now that is the first comment in French I have had on this blog. Tres exciting. I have made progress: I have located the accent égu, though not as you may have noticed, the accent grave! And just to let you know -- there are TWO stories about Nunavik coming in the Gazette, both illustrated with Thomas's photographs, and both with a reference at the end to our work on Quebec Roots! (One is the short story coming this Thursday, the other is a feature story, but I don't know the pub date for that one yet.) Joyeux Noel -- je te contacte apres la visite de ma grande fille. |
Isabelle G.
said:
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As always, you are a very dynamic person! I can't wait to get the Gazette next Thursday to read your story! It is always a pleasure to read you, always very inspiring! Enjoy the Christmas Holiday with your friends and family. Take care, Isabelle xx |
Carol-Ann
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Monique: Thanks for posting the details and pics of your jaunts to Harrington Harbour and le Grand Nord. I always find it so inspiring to read about kid and YA writers working with young people in remote communities. The effect of this two groups coming together and communicating cannot be underestimated. You must know how blessed and fortunate you are to have gone twice to Le Grand Nord, an area many folks dream of venturing to but never get there. All the best, Carol-Ann |
Maïté
said:
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Monique, Je continue en français vu que tu sembles apprécier  On a raté la sortie de la Christmas story dans the Gazette. Noam avait décidé de mettre en peu de piquant dans notre vie pour le réveillon de Noël, il s'est déboité le coude en sautant sur notre lit Heureusement tout le monde était sur pied en soirée pour faire la fête mais on a oublié d'acheter le journal. Pourrais-tu me garder un exemplaire au chaud? Thank you! Maïté |
