Ideas

One of the questions I get asked the most is "where do you get your ideas?"... 

My answer is always "from everyday things that make me wonder 'what happens next?'"

Here's a good example and a challenge for any wanna-be writers out there. 

I was walking to the great Bank Street Bookstore yesterday and passed this abandoned, and pretty expensive looking, running shoe on the sidewalk, outside a different bookstore and next to a big, black empty SUV. 

How did it get there?

Who left it? 

Didn't they notice they only had one shoe?

What happened?

What happens next?

New York City!

I'm heading to the Big Apple and will be stopping by Books of Wonder at noon on Saturday and then Bank Street Books 12:30 on Sunday.

Here's a pic I've done of Neil Flambe as some kind of statue. I will give it to the first person who visits me at the NYC bookstores (I'll do one for each day) and says the magic word. ATOMIC AVOCADO (You'll need to read Neil #4 to get the reference!)

 Remember... ATOMIC AVOCADO

another pic!

From today's visit at Terryberry Library in Hamilton.

Project Bookmark!

Want a chance to win this original Neil Flambe cartoon? Signed and autographed? AND A BOOK TOO!

All you have to do is donate today to a great cause. 

Project Bookmark Canada! 

Just donate $20 (or more!) to help mark literary places in Canada and you get entered into today's draw for the cartoon and a copy of Neil Flambe #3!

Become a Page Turner today and keep reading!

What a day!

Being a kid's author has many perks, but today's Authorfest at Perth Avenue School in Toronto was something special. There were Neil Flambe themed cooking lessons, forensic science presentations by Toronto Police, and more! It was all designed to get the kids to see how much goes into writing a book.

Students from a bunch of local schools jammed the gym on a horrible weather day. The walls were lined with dozens of amazing Neil Flambes, Larrys, Isabellas and Angels! (Way more on display on my Pinterest page.)

Then a young girl named Ella presented me with some Neil Flambe cupcakes! The cupcake is a chef's hat with "ginger-hair"icing peeking out! (They were delicious).

Students (including superfan Duncan) lined up with books and showed me their huge Neil Flambe poster! So big it took two photos!

I should point out this is not a "moneyed" part of town. First Book Canada donated a book for every student there. Story Planet helped with the teaching. And a huge Neil Flambe THANKS to Janice Robinson and Jill Kearns who hosted the event at their school.

Wow.

Princess Leo

Better helmet!

Also, I rejected the goalie mask... too creepy. Agree?

Helmet head

I'm getting a craft ready for the Blue Spruce award party (Splinters is nominated!). I've decided to let the kids make their own helmets. This is an early prototype. I'm still working out the templates.....

Easter vs. Christmas

This looks like a Christmas picture. But if you look really closely.....