Kristin Butcher... has novel ideas

It's awful and then it's good. Life seems to go like that. Tuesday was a painful day, waiting for the resolution to my car crash debacle. I know this demonstrates my own flaws, but I get very impatient with other people's ineptitude. In hindsight, I have to say that the insurance adjuster was terrific, as were the folks at the insurance agency in Campbell River where I went to sign off on all the paperwork. Bottom line: I have my new car and I'm good to go.

On the other hand, Thursday was a tremendous day. I got royalties in the mail from two different publishers -- money is always an upper, and I found out that Return to Bone Tree Hill had been shortlisted for the Sheila Egoff BC Book Prize. It's quite an honour even if you don't take home the $$. One of my editors emailed an interest in publishing the third book in the Zach & Zoe series in the spring of 2011, and a publisher at another house expressed interest in a book proposal I'd submitted.

Nothing is written in stone, but it's all encouraging, and in this job that's all you can hope for.

Today I was interviewed by a local radio station about my BC Book Prize nomination and I barbecued a fantastic T-bone steak for supper.

Like I said -- it's all good.

Like everyone else in Canada, watching the Olympics has become part of my daily routine. My favourite events are the short-track speedskating races. I especially enjoy the relays -- a sort of civilized roller derby on ice. The skaters weave themselves in and out of the action like commuters getting on and off a busy freeway.

It reminds me a bit of life. The constant circular movement is the ongoing activity of the world. The individual skaters are like 'Everyman', pushing through the crowd to establish a place for themselves. Sometimes they get a boost and sometimes they get bumped.

That's kind of where I am in my own world right now. Lots of good things are happening, but I'm having to deal with some not-so-swell stuff too.

First of all, about a month ago, the publisher pulled the plug on my secret societies book. I understand the rationale for it, but I put a lot of work into that project and was really disappointed to see it canned. But I knew moping wasn't going to help, so I got to work on a partial manuscript for a picture book story I've had on file for years. Surprisingly, I even finished it and sent it off to a publisher. If my picture book track record is any indication, it will probably be returned, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

After that I got to work researching and plotting the historical murder mystery fantasy I want to write. Because that process doesn't require any actual writing, it was like taking a much-needed break. I also pulled out my art supplies and got to work on some paintings -- something I've been planning to do for ages but have just not gotten around to.

Then last week I received an email from one of my editors, informing me that Zach & Zoe and the Bank Robber has been nominated for the Diamond Willow Young Readers' Choice Award, and asking if I was planning to write another book for the series. Sweet! I had an idea for a story, but for various reasons had been procrastinating about pursuing it. This nomination was all the motivation I need, so I whipped up a chapter outline and whisked it off to the editor. Now all I can do is wait to see if the editorial staff like it. In the meantime, Zach & Zoe: Bully and the Beagle was reviewed in today's edition of CM Magazine and received a 4-star, highly recommended review. I can't ask for more than that.

Everything is on schedule for the April release of The Last Superhero, and I'm excited for it to see daylight. That book was a long time in the making and had several incarnations before it actually became the story it is now. On another writing front, I received my revision letter yesterday for Cheat, a novel for reluctant readers that's due out in the fall. The changes asked for aren't as onerous as I'd expected, so that is a major relief. I should be able to meet the March 5th deadline no problem.

Also it looks like I shall be able to attend the Silver Birch gala in Toronto in May. Author visit bookings have started to dribble in, which means I'll be able to pay for my flight.

On the downside, I crashed my car on Tuesday. It was the other guy's fault, and neither of us was hurt, but it was a nasty collision. The whole front of my vehicle is gone. So now I'm carless in Campbell River. Though I haven't had official word from the insurance company yet, I'm pretty sure it's a write-off. And I so loved that car!

I have my first Skype visit (to a high school class in Minnesota) coming up on Monday, and then on Friday I'm presenting to a couple of Grade 8 classes in Victoria. Both are events to look forward to, but I woke up this morning with the start of a head cold, and that is not a good thing when you have to be energetic and talk for an hour or two.

I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea -- and besides, today's Olympics are about to start.

We are in the Age of Technology -- there's no doubt about it. Cell phones, Ipods, MP3 players, DVD's, Kindle, Wii, Blue Tooth, huge flat screen TV's and, of course, computers to name just a few household innovations. Even we dinosaurs find ourselves immersed in technology. The fact that I have a website and this blog, and that I shall be presenting to high school students in Minnesota next week via Skype are proof.

So when the organizers of The Forest of Reading Awards asked nominees to create a short video promoting their nominated books, I took a deep breath and agreed to do it. How? I had no idea. I knew I could take videos with my digital camera, and I thought I might be able to do something with the camera built into my computer, but I had no clue how to proceed. The content wasn't a problem; it was the process that was a mystery.

Upon mentioning this to my writing group, one member said that her fourteen-year-old grandson (Michael Stevantoni) was an amateur movie-maker, and she would ask him if he was interested in helping me out. He was! Yahoo!

We had a preliminary meeting to set up a plan, and then two days later we did the actual filming. It was such a relief to leave the HOW of it all up to someone else. I had checked out a few of Michael's creations on YouTube and was confident he knew what he was doing.

The filming took about 2 hours. The editing took another day. And then Michael uploaded the finished video on to YouTube for the world to see. It will soon be embedded on the promotional website for the Forest of Reading too. And after that? The Sundance Festival, I'm sure!

In the meantime, go to YouTube and check it out. Here's the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnJPGA_GySs

At the moment you'll have to copy and paste this into your browser, because I don't know how to activate the link. I'll have to get my computer guru son to do that for me. (Don't act surprised. I told you I was a dinosaur.)

I made the three-hour drive to Victoria Sunday afternoon in order to attend the BC Book Fair at the Laurel Point Inn. I was one of four authors on hand to introduce an upcoming book at the Monday morning Authors' Breakfast. Not only that, but I was up first, which is a bit daunting when you're presenting at an event you've never before attended and therefore have no clue how to proceed. On the other hand, I got to speak to the audience while it was still fresh and attentive. (To be perfectly honest, the group was attentive throughout the whole program.) Let's hear it for booksellers!

It was the first time out of the gate for The Last Superhero (Napoleon Publishing), which is scheduled for release in April. I wrote this book a few years ago, so it's a relief to see it finally see daylight. Basically it's a story about bullying, fighting for what you believe in, friendship, loyalty, and getting along. It has a moral, but it doesn't overwhelm the story, and there are enough laughs to balance out the drama.

Thanks to my publisher for submitting my name for the event. Thanks also to all the booksellers who attended.

I am still working diligently on the revisions for The Order of Death and Other Secret Societies. At first I was overwhelmed by the prospect, because it seemed like the publisher and editor wanted the impossible -- namely the secret societies' secrets. But with some rethinking, researching, and rewriting, I think I'm getting closer to the goal. No, I don't know all the secrets, but I'm presenting what I've been able to discover in a more intriguing way. And since the publisher has extended the deadline, I'm feeling a lot less pressure.

On other fronts, things have been smoother sailing. I received the editorial feedback for The Last Superhero yesterday, and the changes were pretty minimal -- mostly just some punctuation fixes, which I whipped through in about ten minutes. Thank goodness! I don't think I could handle two major sets of revisions at the same time.

Just before Christmas I got an unepected cheque from one of my publishers for The Gramma War, a juvenile novel that was published in 2001. Apparently the Maryland Department of Education wants to use an excerpt from it in their reading assessment tests. Neato.

Another first for me will be happening sometime in February. A teacher in Edina, Minnesota has invited me to Skype with special ed students at her school. This will be as close as I come to being a television celebrity. I'm looking forward to it. It should be fun.

Finally, I just found out a few minutes ago that Pharaohs and Foot Soldiers was named to Resource Links Magazine's Best Books List for 2009.

All in all, things are going pretty well. 

Okay, so I've done my best to pick a fight with my husband -- it being Boxing Day and all -- and to no avail. The man is so filled with the Christmas Spirit(s) that there is no hope. (Besides which, I can't seem to hit a single correct key on the keyboard). I am simultaneously filled with hope and overwhelmed with burderns. One grandchild has reached the one year landmark and the newest has withstood a brush with death in Sick Kids Hospital. It's been quite the Christmas season. I have a publishing commitment to meet and two others in the wings. I am thankful for my publishing success, and hopeful that the new year will bring more work my way. The new year offers a reunion with farflung family and new books. I also want to do some painting. Too bad a day has only 24 hours.

Dear Facebook Friends,

I have been locked out of Facebook since mid-October. I can read what's posted -- at least most of it -- but I can't post a thing. Anything you see from me is via a link with my website blog. So please know that I'm not ignoring you; I just can't connect with you. Please visit my website (www.kristinbutcher.com) to connect with me through my email there.

Ciao.

Kristin 

... to be overworked, stressed, anxious, weary ... oh, yes -- and jolly!

When I returned from Book Week, there was a five-page revision letter waiting for me with a January 15th deadline attached to it. Doing my best not to panic, I told myself I would feel better once I talked to the editor. Things would become clear and everything would fall into place.

Yes, and no. Things did become more clear, but that didn't sweep away the amount of rewriting to be done; nor did it help me figure out how to go about it. I know what the editor and publisher don't like about the manuscript; I just don't know how to fix it yet. 

So while I've been rolling ideas around in my head, I've done some Christmas shopping, decorated the house, sent off gifts, made some antipasto, and created an email Christmas card.  

Last evening was Starlight Shopping in Campbell River, which basically means the stores were open until 11 pm and there was carolling, a wandering Santa, and hot chocolate. I spent much of the evening at Coho Books, signing my novels for cheerful shoppers. I had been very tired when I left home, but it didn't take long to get caught up in the spirit of the evening, and before I knew it, I was having a great time.

Today I'm off to Haig Brown house to a welcome reception for Harry Thurston, the new writer-in-residence. I've never met the man, but the writing community is a small one, and we must all support one another.

And when I get home ... well, there's still that 5-page revision letter. 

My Canadian Children's Book Week tour was fabulous. It's hard to believe that I was only gone 10 days. So much happened. I visited a part of Canada that I never knew existed, and I had a glimpse of a lifestyle totally different from my own. Everywhere I went I was treated very hospitably. The people were friendly and helpful, and I felt immediately at home.

Some of the highlights: riding four-wheelers on the boardwalks of Harrington Harbour; Netagamiou School buying every book I'd brought with me; the potluck supper at the community hall in Chevery -- especially the stepdancing; sharing a snack with the senior students at Harrington School; Amy Evans Boarding House; the round table discussion at the Community Learning Centre in Harrington Harbour; two radio interviews; sharing dinner with a fellow whose English was only a little better than my French; picking Medric O'Brien's brain; fabulous student audiences everywhere I went; Chevery sightseeing with commentary by Madison and Brianna; Pamela Anderson's sense of humour; the family writing session at the Misty River Inn; the look on the teachers' faces every time a student pulled the mummy's brain out through his nose; my accommodation in Blanc Sablon.

My biggest disappointments: I didn't get to ride in a helicopter; I didn't get to go to "The Edge" and put my foot on Labrador. And it was the wrong time of the year to see icebergs and puffins.

Everyone was fantastic, but I would like to give special thanks to Maureen and Don Wellman, who went above and beyond the call of duty. Not only did Maureen organize my visit in Blanc Sablon, she cooked Egyptian food for the presentation and made sistrums which she gave to me afterwards -- and saw me off at the airport with a cinnamon bun, because she knew I hadn't had breakfast. As for her husband, Don, he drove me everywhere and told wonderful stories while he did it. Thanks also to Medric O'Brien who made my day in St. Augustine very special. Not only did he make me comfortable in his school and take me to lunch, he also took me sight-seeing after school and saw me safely to my lodgings. Finally, I would like to thank Ana Osborne in Chevery for her part in making my trip memorable. She contacted me in advance to arrange for book sales and to help me dress appropriately for the weather and terrain, and she helped me gear my library presentations to the needs of the community. She's the one who invited me to the potluck supper and took care of a million other little details, of which I'm sure I'm not even aware.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I shall let the pictures do the talking for me. Enjoy -- I know I did.

It's 5:30 a.m., and in half an hour I head to the airport and Quebec for Canadian Children's Book Week. I'm excited, and a bit nervous. Today and tomorrow are strictly travel days. I'll get as far as Montreal today, and then tomorrow I'll carry on to Sept Iles and Blanc Sablon on the Lower North Shore of Quebec. School presentations and community sessions begin on Monday and continue through to the following Saturday. There might even be a radio interview thrown in as well.

I shall hop from one community to the next for seven days, and then it's back to Montreal next Sunday. In total I shall have 15 airplane rides, 2 helicopter rides, and 2 water taxi rides. If nothing else, I am definitely going to be well-travelled.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.

Wish me luck.