The Time Was Right: Today's Workshop for Young Authors at Westmount Library

I've entitled today's blog post "The Time Was Right" because I was invited to Westmount Public Library to meet with young authors aged seven to twelve and discuss my latest non-fiction book, co-authored with Kirstie Hudson, Just A Minute: Why Humans Tell Time (Orca).

You'd think the time WOULD NOT be right for the 16 youngsters who attended my presentation. Afterall, not only was today a SCHOOL day -- it was also sunny and summery. Most kids would have chosen to be outside, playing tag or eating ice cream. But not MY 16!! They were keen not only to learn a little about time (did you know, for instance, that the zeptosecond is the shortest unit of time ever measured -- it's a trillionth of a billionth of a second!!), but also to discuss the role of time in their lives, and ALSO TO DO WRITING EXERCISES!! (Now I must admit there WAS lemonade and yummy vanilla cupcakes afterwards as a reward for their hard work!!)

I did an informal survey and learned that of the 16 kids, only one, Leonardo, was wearing a watch. Three had cellphones -- which they use to check the time. I asked the kids to estimate how many times a day they check to see what time it is. Aidan told me, "I check every minute. I look at the clock on the classroom wall." Then he added, "I wish time would go slower so people would slow down." I know just what you mean, Aidan!

That reminds me -- I asked the kids to guess whether I'm speedy or slow -- and the answer was unanimous -- SPEEDY! (haha!)

I told the kids about my favourite kind of time -- which I learned about when Kirstie and I were researching the book. It's called DEEP time and it happens when you basically are so involved in what you are doing that you lose track of time altogether. Has that ever happened to you? (I hope so. I get that feeling when I'm writing!)

For one writing exercise, I asked the kids to remember a time when they wished they could STOP TIME. They came up with some beautiful answers. Aadhav read his answer to us: "I was on one of the clouds." That sentence took me by surprise because it's so creative and poetic. Vicky wrote about babysitting some friends' toy poodle Scooby; sisters Shanaya and Riyansi both wrote about a family trip to Banff National Park; Zoe wrote about this afternoon when her teacher brought pizza to the class; Sammy wrote about toasting S'mores at his cottage; and Leonardo wrote about going for a swim in his grandparents' pool. Sua described her memory of eating cotton candy, and said, "I thought I was eating a cloud." Ahhhh, I just love that line!

We also talked about the fact that our time on Earth is limited. I told them for me, 66 years has gone super quickly! As people say, Where did the time go? So I also asked the kids to write down a list of things they hope to do with their time on Earth. Vicky wrote a long list which included, "I want to make a book about pandas." DO IT, VICKY!  And one of the kids (I think it was Sammy) wrote, "I want to learn more about mathematics." Most impressive!

If it sounds like I had fun, you are correct. And I'm pretty sure the kids did too. (That's how fun usually works -- it's rather contagious!!) I've included a pic of all of us. But what I really should have got a pic of was when, on his way out, Sammy asked, "Can I just hug you?" -- and of course I said yes, and we had a most happy hug. Also it turns out hugs can be contagious because I got three more before I left.

Westmount Public Library is MY local library, so I was delighted to be invited for today's visit. Many many thanks to prize-winning children's librarian (and fellow Alice In Wonderland fan) Wendy Wayling for arranging today's event.

A special thank you to the kids for coming to meet me after school on a perfect summer day. Get going on your stories. Why don't you try using those memories you wrote about as the start for a story? You can also use the trick I taught you -- asking What if? as a way to help you develop your stories. And look for me at the Westmount Library. I'm there a lot! And that would be the perfect TIME to show me your work!