monique polak

Monique Polak's Books

3 minutes reading time (546 words)

Back from the Circus... School, I Mean!!

I'm just home from an incredibly fun and stimulating visit to Montreal's Ecole Nationale de Cirque where I did two writing workshops for young people who have come to Montreal to train to become circus performers. My workshops took place in the school's library -- a place that is close to my heart. That's because it was in this very same library that I started researching my YA novel Learning the Ropes. It was also there that I met librarian Anna-Karyna Barlati, who really introduced me to all things circus!

What made today's visit unusual and special for me is that the young people I worked with already know a lot about some of the things I love to discuss, such as the need for discipline and hard work if we want to get better at what we do. We also talked about courage. It takes courage for authors to tackle difficult subjects, but as a student named Lily explained, working on a circus act also requires courage. Lily explained that she needs courage when she does ropes or tissu: "When I'm about to do my big drop and I'm face down, I think, 'Am I going to hit my head on the mat?'"

These students also understood when I explained how much re-writing I do. That's because they go over their moves again and again... and then some... before they get them right. And when I said that I often feel frustrated when I write, a student named Lola said she felt the same way when she was learning to do a hands-free cartwheel: "I did it once, but then I couldn't do it a second time." But Lola didn't give up -- another trait we writers share with circus performers!-- and now she can do the hands-free cartwheel anytime she wants to!

If you know me, you'll know I'm obsessed with body language. Well, there was a lot of nodding when I was sharing my writing tips today. Sometimes, I get the sense that one of the young people I am working with is meant to be a writer. I had that feeling about many of the students I met today. A student named Andrea, who does the Cyr wheel, confirmed my hunch about her when she told me, "I'm the kind of person who doesn't understand things until I write them down." Exactly, Andrea! That's what writing is all about!

In addition to teacher Diana Matean, my librarian pal Anna-Karyna was also at today's workshops. I learned that Anna-Karyna teaches a course on Research Methods and the Artistic Process. So I'm going to end tonight's blog entry with something Anna-Karyna told my second group: "Hold those stories of who you are." How I love that line! That's what we all need to do -- hold the stories of who we are. Whether we use words or physical movement or music or paint to tell our stories, the main thing is holding onto them -- and when we're ready, sharing them with the world.

Thanks Diana and Anna-Karyna for making today's visit possible. Thanks especially to the students. My book Learning the Ropes is pretty good -- but think how amazing your books about circus life are going o be!!! Now get to work!!!

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Comments

Guest - Celeste on Tuesday, 08 January 2019 04:52

Thank you so much for working with us today Monique! It was a lot of fun. It makes me really happy that you were able to keep things entertaining and interesting while talking with us!

Thank you so much for working with us today Monique! It was a lot of fun. It makes me really happy that you were able to keep things entertaining and interesting while talking with us!
Guest - Monique on Wednesday, 09 January 2019 23:18

Is that you, Murky? Thanks to YOU for being such a great participant. Now GO WRITE!!!

Is that you, Murky? Thanks to YOU for being such a great participant. Now GO WRITE!!!
Guest - Diana on Wednesday, 09 January 2019 17:55

Thank you, Monique, for your enthusiasm, energy and amazing stories! The students learned a lot and they will, for sure, use your great writing tips in their future assignments. Hope to see you back at our school as soon as possible!

Thank you, Monique, for your enthusiasm, energy and amazing stories! The students learned a lot and they will, for sure, use your great writing tips in their future assignments. Hope to see you back at our school as soon as possible!
Guest - Monique on Wednesday, 09 January 2019 23:20

Diana! Thanks so much for the invitation! I've never worked with a group of students before who really understand the creative process. It was my first school visit of 2019 and I'm afraid it will be hard to match!!

Diana! Thanks so much for the invitation! I've never worked with a group of students before who really understand the creative process. It was my first school visit of 2019 and I'm afraid it will be hard to match!!
Guest - Léa on Wednesday, 09 January 2019 23:28

Thank you Monique for coming to talk to us! We have learned a lot from you in only a few hours. I look forward to reading some of your new books!

Thank you Monique for coming to talk to us! We have learned a lot from you in only a few hours. I look forward to reading some of your new books!
Guest - Esmé on Thursday, 10 January 2019 01:32

Thanks Monique for coming to talk to us! You had so many good tips and I'm so excited to use them in my upcoming school assignments. You explained everything in such a fun and interesting way! I loved hearing about how you make use of the world around you as you create you characters and stories. I found your talk very inspiring, and I know I'll use some of your tips when I'm writing my own novel for school. Thanks again for coming, I really appreciate the time you spent with us!!

Thanks Monique for coming to talk to us! You had so many good tips and I'm so excited to use them in my upcoming school assignments. You explained everything in such a fun and interesting way! I loved hearing about how you make use of the world around you as you create you characters and stories. I found your talk very inspiring, and I know I'll use some of your tips when I'm writing my own novel for school. Thanks again for coming, I really appreciate the time you spent with us!!
Guest - Maya on Thursday, 10 January 2019 17:14

Hi! I would like to thank you for your visit. I really enjoyed all your stories and helpful writing tips. Thank you!

Hi! I would like to thank you for your visit. I really enjoyed all your stories and helpful writing tips. Thank you!
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