Today in the “Indigo” novel, I’m writing about the Ice Storm of 1998 in Ottawa.  Tara was just 17 during that storm.  So…of course, Indigo has to also be 17 and living through the ice storm.  I told you this was a different write for me.  It’s not a biography but a fiction based on someone’s life.  Now, just for perspective…I lived in Ottawa, (well Russell which is just outside Ottawa), for five years.  And I left in  August 1997, just before the big storm.  But we had a house that we didn’t sell because of the poor real estate market at the time.  So I lived through the ice store via the tenants living in our house and our insurance company.  Yes, we had to get the roof repaired and the house repainted and lots of other things.  And our maple tree split in half.  I put that image in the novel because I have the photos still.  I loved that tree.  And I’m also remembering so much through our wonderful neighbours, Karen and Bill Campbell and the Logan’s across the street.  Years later, I’m writing a book about a young girl who lived in Ottawa during the ice storm.  Memories, memories.  The entire process of writing this book is serendipitous.  Tara always tells me there is no such thing as a coincidence!!

Haha.  I’m learning a lot from her while writing this novel about her life.

By the way…look up Tara Taylor and see that she is real.

I’m currently co-authoring a project with Intuitive Tara Taylor and…it’s been a very different writing process for me.  I’ve written biographies before (Dominant Dany Heatley, Cassie Campbell’s HEART) and, of course, they are non-fiction.  But this project is fiction.  So…I ask Tara questions about her life, just as I would do if I was writing a biography, then I spin them into a novel.  This means I am still plotting, pacing, adding description, researching, and developing  characters.  The main character is Indigo/Tara but I have created some fictional minor characters.  Anyway,it’s fun, but then, for me, writing fiction is fun.  Now, enough of blogging, and back to writing.   Any thoughts?

I thought I would fill you in on a bit of good news. My book, FIGHTING FOR GOLD, has been nominated for the Red Cedar Award. This book is about out Canadian Paralympic Hockey Team winning an exciting gold medal in 2006! I am so thrilled that this particular book has been nominated because the guys on this sledge hockey team are truly amazing. Hopefully, because of the nomination, more children and teachers will read the book and find out about these wonderful athletes and how hard they work. And who knows, maybe someone will read the book and decide that they want to play sledge hockey. I was honoured to write this book and thrilled that it has been nominated for an award.

Yes, it’s been a long time since I’ve blogged but…for very good reason.  I am madly working on new projects.  I have a book coming out in October with Fenn Publishing titled, The Next Ones, so look for it on the book shelves.  I loved writing this project as it is about all the up-and-coming young hockey players in Canada.  They are genuine, sincere and passionate, all exciting stuff! 

Also…and this is fabulous news.  I’m working on a Young Adult Sports School Series for James Lorimer and Co.  I have created a Sports School and I have some amazing characters that attend the school.  They are teenagers who have issues to deal with and every book is full of action, angst, drama and fun!  So…my wish is coming true and I am writing about some other sports besides hockey and I am branching into the Young Adult market.  For all you students who have encouraged me to write some books about other sports, I want to give you a huge THANK YOU. 

I will keep you updated on those books.

And…without going into too much detail, I’m also working on another project that…I have no idea the outcome or publication date but…all I can say is I LOVE IT and I know you will LOVE IT TOO!   Will fill in more details as time passes and I find out more.  So unbelievably exciting.  Onwards! 

Have a great weekend.  Now, I’m off to write.