This morning I was at Babar Books in Pointe Claire and this afternoon was Babar Books in Westmount giving Writing Workshops for Teens & Tweens. Babar Books are fantastic children's bookstores. Such a huge selection. If you are ever in the area... do check them out. Plus they really know how to decorate a fireplace. (Hopefully that stuff on the mantel isn't kindling. :))
Before the workshops started, Montreal author Monique Polak stopped by. It was great to meet her in person. She's a fantastic writer. She also teaches college in Montreal and works as a freelance writer as well as writing Young Adult novels. And she's got a great sense of humour. I hope our paths cross again. In the meantime, her book What World is Left is my next read.
The groups were small for the two Writing Workshops, but it really gave us all a chance to know each other better and to share our work. The talent and creativity of these kids amazes me.
A photographer from the Westmount Newspaper was there to take pictures of us... at least, that is who he said he was. But the stealth he used stalking and zooming in on us from around the bookshelves, made me think he was really a wildlife photographer. If he'd pulled out a tranquilizer gun, I was outta there. I've seen National Geographic. One second your taking a drink at the watering hole, next thing you know, you wake up sporting an ear tag, a homing device, and a rectal thermometer. No thanks.
The groups were small for the two Writing Workshops, but it really gave us all a chance to know each other better and to share our work. The talent and creativity of these kids amazes me.
A photographer from the Westmount Newspaper was there to take pictures of us... at least, that is who he said he was. But the stealth he used stalking and zooming in on us from around the bookshelves, made me think he was really a wildlife photographer. If he'd pulled out a tranquilizer gun, I was outta there. I've seen National Geographic. One second your taking a drink at the watering hole, next thing you know, you wake up sporting an ear tag, a homing device, and a rectal thermometer. No thanks.
At the Train Station:
me: Would you mind taking my picture?
random stranger: uh... sure?
me [a little too enthusiatically]: It's for my blog.
random stranger [thinks]: You have a blog? Who reads it? Your mother?
me [compelled to keep talking like an idiot... if you know me, you know I do that.]: Ya, I've been blogging about my trip. You know, just writing about my adventures? [not sure why it sounds like a question. It's another weird thing that I do.]
random stranger [faking interest]: Cool. Where've you been?
[pause]
me: .... Montreal?
random stranger: Oh.
me [trying to sound adventurous]: Ya, it's my first time.
random stranger: No kidding.