It was a brief interaction with a young girl one summer that seeded the beginnings of "Mel Tulley's" character. In the weeks that followed I wrote this poem. During the writing of A Tinfoil Sky I would occasionally revisit this poem, and by doing this I would find that I was able to rekindle the emotion that I felt that day. Both the name of the girl and the street are fictional. Composing a poem response to a novel is one of the suggestions in my novel study for A Tinfoil Sky. I'd love to read the poems you come up with!
Inspiration poem for the character of Mel Tulley
Some where along the way someone, or something, or some situation catches my attention. It's in moments like these that all my stories begin. Rarely do I know where these stories will end. What I have found fascinating is how an aspect of the story, that seems significant to me, might go unnoticed by the reader. This has definitely happened in A Tinfoil Sky. On one hand it might be seen as a failure on my part and on the other hand a success.
So, here is the challenge. If you are one of those people who have read, or are presently reading A Tinfoil Sky, I challenge you to read this story looking for more than the fact that Mel is, at times, homeless or that she is poor. There is something else that is very subtle that happens, or could be believed by some to have happened, in the story. See if you can figure it out. If you think you have solved this mystery, email me and tell me what you think it is that others are missing. I'll collect all the correct answers and draw for a signed copy of A Tinfoil Sky on February 14th, 2013.
Why February 14th? I'll write about that next time, in the meantime get reading!
I am often asked where I get my ideas from, or where I get my inspiration, or how I came up with a character or the plot in the story.
Last night I had the pleasure of having dinner with two octogenarians. They had recently traveled to Nelson from Toronto to visit their daughter, one of my dearest friends. I couldn't help but notice how both of them were so full of life. Here they were, their third day in Nelson, after flying more than halfway across the country to Kelowna where they rented a car, drove over at least one mountain pass, walked to and from their hotel to her house numerous times, attended a film premier, watched at least one soccer practice, and it was 10 pm and they were still completely engaged in our lengthy dinner party conversation, with enough energy to make plans for the next day's adventures. Ah, to be eighty plus years old and so alive! That has always been a dream of mine. As my own energy dwindled I just couldn't stop myself from asking: What was their secret? Their answer was really quite simple. They have remained curious.
Same goes for writing and I suppose the same goes for life!
Cyndi
Hello to all of the Silver Birch readers in Ontario! I wonder how many of you know that you have one of the most amazing Reader's Choice programs in Canada, and perhaps the world. It's really quite mind boggling that over 250 000 students participate in the Forest of Reading Program each year! Whew!
But no matter where you are from I'd love to hear from any of you who are reading A Tinfoil Sky, ( or Dear Toni for that matter) and answer any questions you might have. I also have a novel study available that I am happy to send out for teachers or students. If any of you would like to share poems, responses to the novel study questions, or activities you or your class become involved in as a result of reading A Tinfoil Sky, I'll see what I can do to get a tab up, very soon hopefully, for a Reader's Page.
Thank you to all the volunteers, organizers, and staff at the Wordfest 2012 and Summit Salon offices. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Calgary and Banff. A thank you, as well, to the teachers who brought me to their schools at St. Sebastian, St. Catherine, and St. Rita Elementary Schools. In addition the audience members at the Vertigo Theatre, who came from numerous schools, were fabulous. I am especially grateful to First Calgary Financial Book Rapport for supporting these readings. And lastly, thanks to ALL of you for your well thought through questions and your willingness to participate in the events. I hope that I was able to inspire each of you in your enjoyment of reading and writing as much as you inspired me!
Great News!
Dear Toni has WON the 2010 Silver Birch Express Award! See the video below to join in the excitement.
Dear Toni has also been nominated for a 2010/2011 Red Cedar Award in BC.