If you're a young writer but you have trouble finding the right words then help is on the way. The St. Albert Public Library is celebrating Family Literacy Day on Sunday. Among the list of activities that it will be offering is a workshop hosted by Morinville-raised author Marty Chan.
This won't be the first time he's done a writing workshop at the library and he's really looking forward to helping the kids out. He said he's full of tips for struggling young writers.
"I have at least one!" he suggested, tongue planted firmly in cheek. "Don't suck!"
Kidding aside, Chan is very knowledgeable at the writing game and is also very well versed at talking to a younger audience. This is the 10th anniversary of the publication of his first book, The Mystery of the Frozen Brains. He now has nine books in total, the latest one being The Ehrich Weisz Chronicles: Demon Gate, which was published last year. He has also begun work on a new book that is slated to come out later this year.
He has 25 years' experience as a writer of nine books, plus stage plays and television shows. With all that background, he has oodles of knowledge and wisdom to impart. There's only one thing that workshop participants shouldn't expect.
"There won't be any spelling tests," he revealed.
"A lot of my workshops have to do with trying to find the easiest way to remember writing tips. It doesn't matter whether I'm teaching writing workshops for kids or adults – I don't want the process to get in the way of the creativity. I'm always trying to find the easiest way for somebody to remember, 'Oh! This is what I'm supposed to do when I sit down and write a story.'"
He added that many of his tips are fun because they come in the form of games. They're also easy to remember and "even easier to apply right in the moment."
It's the kind of workshop that would be appropriate for writers of all ages. He can offer advice to novices as well as experts and will possibly dispel the myth of the recipe for writing the best story. He said writers at workshops often ask him about the secret formula just because he's been published. He always demurs at the inquiry.
"It's a different experience for everybody. The whole creative process is designed to bring out your voice and how you see the world and how you tell a story. Seven different people could come at the same topic and still come up with seven completely different stories. No one is better than the other. It's just the one that is true to that person's particular sense of the world."
Barbara Moreau, the children's services co-ordinator, said the workshop is a sure bet for any young writer.
"He's a great author and a very good speaker. He does a wonderful job with children. They come because it's Marty Chan. They go home inspired to write."
Cheat Codes for Writing: Fun Writing Workshop for Kids runs from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Attendance is free but is limited to children in grades 4 through 7. Please register in advance by calling the children's library at 780-459-1232.
Other things to do
Chan's workshop isn't the only activity taking place in conjunction with Family Literacy Day at the library. The annual event has been growing since the library first hosted it several years ago. Moreau said the staff is trying to offer something for everybody.
"We started on a smaller scale and we've just been building and building through the years to make it a family event, make it a little more exciting. We're hoping that people will come out as a family, enjoy the library, and do something different."
There will be all-day family Scrabble from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and a scavenger hunt at 1:30 p.m. People are also invited to gather around as Stephanie Benger gets down to some good old-fashioned family storytelling about animals and their adventures. There are two half-hour sessions starting at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
"We just hope that people will come out and have a lot of fun at the library and see what we have to offer."
The library's Family Literacy Day activities take place Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. in the children's library area on the main floor. All activities are drop-in events that don't require pre-registration, except for Cheat Codes for Writing.
Call the library at 780-459-1530 or visit www.sapl.ca for more information.
