Archive for July, 2006

Heading North

Published at July 20, 2006 in writing news. 0 Comments

I’m a firm believer in not talking about writing projects until the contracts are signed and the advance in safely in the bank. I’ve seen too many projects fall apart or explode brilliantly just at the moment when I’m ready to start scribblin’. This time, however, I may have taken that little bit of wisdom too far.

A few months ago, my fantastic agent, Marie Campbell, convinced the fantastic publisher Orca to take a chance on a (hopefully) fantastic idea for a series of graphic novels that blend high action adventure stories with a step-by-step visual guide that teaches readers all the skills the heroes learn on their journey.

The first in the series will be a wilderness survival adventure that includes step-by-step instructions on survival skills like building a lean-to shelter, using the stars to navigate through the wilderness and a bunch of other fun stuff.

I’ve always loved camping and exploring the wilderness in a canoe, on foot or on a bike, so I’m really having fun with this project. And it’s about to get even better.

In a few days, Melanie and I are heading north and the yellow and blue beauty pictured below will be our home for five nights. We’re only going as far as Algonquin Park and I’m hoping we won’t encounter any of the hardships my characters are set to face (but after last year’s close encounter of the black bear kind, we’re ready for anything!)

tentsmall.jpg

After a very busy few months of writing, I’m really looking forward to getting out of the city, pushing off in a canoe and paddling my way around some of the most beautiful wilderness our great country has to offer.

In addition to soaking up some sun and fresh air, I’ll be testing out a few of the survival skills I hope to include in the book. Granted, I’ll only be a wolf howl away from a park ranger, but that’s wild enough for this writer.

See you in a week!

Thanking trees

Published at July 7, 2006 in writing news. 0 Comments

my backyard tree

I’ve been thinking a lot about trees lately. The summer is here and my part of the city is, fortunately, home to a very healthy population of oaks, birches and an incredible variety of pine trees. In addition to this, I have the honour of living and working below one of the giants of the neighbourhood. The photo above is the view looking straight up from our back deck and about a foot away from my desk where I type this post (and all my other little scribblings.)

What I really find amazing about our tree (and trees in general) is that not only is it a massive living organisim, it is also home to a whole host of different animals. Squirrels and birds run and hop along its branches and race down its thick trunk by day. At night, the bark is alive with ants, spiders and caterpillars all making epic treks from soil to leaves and back again. Add to this the family of raccoons who call the tree home (having been recently evicted from the garage in the backyard) and you have a mini-ecosystem that can be amazing to observe at any time of the day.

While I don’t live in the tree (but you know I would if I could!), I certainly benefit from its presense. While the rest of the city is sweating and gasping their way through the latest smog advisory or severe heat warning, I’m basking in the relatively cool air below our giant tree. Our tree sucks up all that smog, absorbs all that intense heat and creates pure sweet oxygen and cool air to for me to enjoy. Our backyard is consistently a few degrees cooler than front yard, which is great in the middle of an August heatwave.

treecov.jpgThis is my third summer under our old oak tree and since the first I’ve been keen to learn more about this tree and trees in general. So, when blogging pal Tony Walsh handed me Tree: A Life Story by David Suzuki and Wayne Grady, I knew I was in for a treat.

Tree: A Life Story, is exactly that – the story of a single tree over hundreds of years from seedling to nurse log. It’s a facinating look at an organism that offers so much to the plants and animals around it and yet is constantly under attack from bugs, birds, fungi, parasites and humans. The overall theme in the book, and with Suzuki’s work in general, is connectedness with nature. Tree demonstrates that all living organisms, including humans are connected with each other in often subtle and intricate ways.

Living in a large city surrounded by concrete and billboards, I often feel feel somehow removed from all that green stuff that lives beyond the concrete and ashphalt. Thankfully, for me to start the reconnection with nature, I just need to walk out my back door. In the evenings, I like to sit out on the back deck, under the giant oak and soak up the cool air and fresh oxygen and watch the squirrels run along the branches above and listen to the cardinals sing their nightly tune. It’s yet another gift from the trees.

So, go find a tree, give it a hug and say thanks!