Archive for October, 2009

Creative Writing at Place des Arts

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Feeling the need for more creative writing in your life? Who isn’t, really? There’s still space in my writing classes at Coquitlam’s Place des Arts! I’ll be teaching two courses throughout the year. Here are the details:

Creative Writing I (9 – 12 years)

Explore the craft of writing with lessons on character development, plot, setting and voice. Classes will include fun writing activities, workshopping and examples of genre. All students will read polished excerpts from their stories for parents and friends at the end of each session.

7266 • M • Oct 19 – Dec 7 • 4:15 – 5:45 PM • $84.50

7267 • M • Jan 11 – Mar 1 • 4:15 – 5:45 PM • $84.50

7268 • M • Apr 12 - Jun 7 • 4:15 – 5:45 PM • $84.50

Creative Writing II (13 – 16 years)

This class will focus on refining your skills and challenging you to develop your own style and voice through fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Classes will include workshopping, writing activities and exploring intriguing examples of young adult literature. Some homework assignments will be given. You’ll end each session by reading for parents and friends.

7269 • M • Oct 19 – Dec 7 • 6:00 – 8:00 PM • $108.50

7270 • M • Jan 11 – Mar 1 • 6:00 – 8:00 PM • $108.50

7271 • M • Apr 12 - Jun 7 • 6:00 – 8:00 PM • $108.50

I can promise an uproariously (yet literary) good time. Register at www.placedearts.ca!

Fall descends

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Fall has officially descended on Vancouver. Yesterday I bought a new umbrella, large enough to shelter my entire extended family. And I’m craving pumpkin — pumpkin cake, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin soup… Pumpkin macaroons, maybe?

When I lived on the prairies, fall used to be my favourite season. Around Thanksgiving, you’d get that great, week-long burst of gold against the big blue sky. And then it’d be gone with the first harsh wind, leaving the poplars naked and pale, bracing for snow. And then, the snow. Man, I love the snow.

Here’s it’s all about rain, and after about eight years on the coast, I’m still not a fan. But as they say: no rain, no rainbows. Or perhaps: no rain, no super fabulous rainboots.

And hey, there’s one more great thing about fall in Vancouver. The BC Children’s Writers and Illustrators’ Fall Book Harvest! A great way to spend a fall afternoon.

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