Thursday, 7 November 2013



Who Would Have Thought?

I am in the process of writing a book of short stories and my publisher tells me that there is a whole world out there ready and willing to give opinions and advice.
The idea began some time ago.  There was one story burning to be told, The Bow Wow Wonder Workers.
Then, purely by chance, I found that Lord Kitchener School in Vancouver B.C. was being demolished to create a new earthquake resistant building.  There was considerable upset as the original school was a landmark and a heritage piece.  It was well loved by many of the local residents.
And as it was that once upon a time, long ago, I  had attended the school, starting with The Bow Wow Wonder Workers, I began thinking about other incidents from my childhood.  Most of them were centered around the Lord Kitchener School.
Eventually, I wrote 3 stories but they were all fairly short; and then I realized that if I wrote 3 more, and there was certainly no lack of material, I could have 1 story per grade for my 6 years at Lord Kitchener School.
Overall, it would be called Welcome to Our School, from a plaque over one of the building's entrances; and  each of the stories from grades1 to 6, would have  a separate title: Herbert West and That Girl, Herbert West and the Bent Umbrella, Mrs. Frisby and the Very Scary Ruler, The Scandal, the Bicycle and the Frog Pond, Little Grey Bats and a Cow With Horns, and If Only Wendy Hadn't Bunted.
I took the manuscript to a publisher who liked it but suggested that I continue writing until I had several more stories.
So here I am, really close, very excited and, quite honestly, very nervous.  I have written a total of 6 stories, two of which are in sections as is Welcome to Our School and the remaining  4 in  more traditional formats.
I see the publisher again, tomorrow!

3 comments:

  1. I liked your blog, liked your intro.. makes one want to read your book

    Bev

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  2. Congratulations my friend...i love your stories you have told me in person,,and i sure would love to read more...i cannot wait..i very much look forward to your adventures
    Annie

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  3. The Dunbar list serve mentioned you'd like people to read your manuscript. I'd be interested in reading about Lord Kitchener - my father and siblings were pupils there mid-late 30's and my second child will leave Grade 7 there this year. Thanks!

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