by Sylvia McNicoll | May 19, 2008 | Sylvia McNicoll

At work with my new readers in Swift Current–well, actually we’re chowing down on some great homemade cookies, discussing writing and life in general. It’s such a privilege to be able to travel and talk about what I like best, writing. Whenever one my student audience asks what made you want to be a writer, I’m always a little dumfounded. Like what other job is as good as this?
by Sylvia McNicoll | May 19, 2008 | Sylvia McNicoll



When people think research, they may think of hoisting heavy encyclopedia volumes to a library table and leafing through the tiny print pages for information. Here is the best part of research. I needed to finish book five in my Norwegian and Swedish Series Et Vilt Liv and just to make sure things were exactly as I described them, my husband and I booked a helicopter ride.
It was everything I expected and less sickening in terms of motion than a small plane. Everyone should save for one ride in his or her lifetime. We also rented skis and took advantage of the great quantity and quality of snow for April. The
trail was as wide as a six lane highway. Terrific fun!
The big surprise was hiking the ice canyon. We didn’t know enough to rent crampons so at times where we needed to hike up hill or slide downhill, we crawled on all fours. Still I found the perfect location for my main character Zanna to be stranded.
by Sylvia McNicoll | May 19, 2008 | Sylvia McNicoll
by Sylvia McNicoll | May 19, 2008 | Sylvia McNicoll

This is a catchup blog from the first week of April. Invited to speak at the Saskatchewan Reading Conference, I decided to add a few days to my trip and tour schools in the area but first a little detour to Canmore for some research and vacation. While we were driving across the prairie I was once again astounded by the big blue sky and the way a train snaked across the entire golden horizon. It was my turn to drive when I took this shot. A plane had just carved a white scratch into the sky but I couldn’t quite capture that.
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