by Sylvia McNicoll | May 19, 2008 | Sylvia McNicoll


Best week ever in Sudbury. Algonquin Public hosted a great young author’s day complete with television and media coverage. I spent a lovely day at Warren Public with just a handful of writers, see the photo. CR Judd, AB Ellis and Valleyfield all showed me great hospitality and enthusiasm. With the younger readers, I shared Slam Dunk Robot, a short grade two novel set right in Sudbury mostly at Science North.
by Sylvia McNicoll | May 19, 2008 | Sylvia McNicoll



After visiting schools, we enjoyed the long drives back to Regina. We stopped in Corner Gas Land (Dog River=Rouleau) and bought some souvenirs. We also stopped to just enjoy an old ghost farm complete with this great tractor.
by Sylvia McNicoll | May 19, 2008 | Sylvia McNicoll


Touring schools around Estevan, I really enjoyed
myself but we were never quite sure how long a drive would take–especially when there was a train derailment. It all worked well and I loved meeting the kids in Estevan and Macoun.
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
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