On Literacy for Life

May 5, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

So here I am in Saskatoon at the Fourth Annual Literacy for Life Conference – along with Deborah Ellis, Wally Edwards, John Lunn, Norman Leach, Bev Brenna, and others.

Tomorrow I will present to approximately 600 Grade 6-8 students. On Wednesday I will present to the same number in Grades 3 – 5.

Eight sessions in total.

I used to teach around seven of these in a day – besides meetings, extra cur, and supervision. Still, I know I’ll be exhausted by tomorrow night!

It’s another one of those “pinch me” moments. How can this still be happening nearly three years after I sent off my manuscript to Coteau?

Two weeks ago at the World Author Day in Regina, writers told me, “What a great year you’ve had.” I don’t think I even KNOW what a great year I’ve had. And let’s qualify that statement. It’s Power Plays that’s had the great year – not me. This book has a life of its own.

After listening to Deborah Ellis’ keynote today, I’m having second thoughts about the way I’ve been doing presentations. Maybe they’re too slick – too well prepared. Deborah just got up and talked – talked from the heart about her visits to refugee camps in Afghanistan and prisons in Uganda. Her encounters with boy prisoners and child brides.

This conference is about so much more than the opportunity to promote my book.

It’s not an ego trip.

One audience member asked Deborah what we can do, as Canadians, to help promote global literacy. She urged us to focus on our own backyard – to encourage young people to hone the ability to make good decisions.

And that is what I will try to do tomorrow. I will focus more on the values of respect and tolerance and forgiveness – and less on salesmanship.

Wish me luck.

 

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On the Completion of a Manuscript

April 8, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

 

Last Friday I dropped off a draft of my sequel to Power Plays at Coteau. It was a busy week in all respects, and I would have liked to have proofread it one more time.

It is an honour to be able to walk through the doors of a publishing house and place a 74000 word manuscript in the hands of the managing editor. What a difference from sealing Not Just a Boy’s Game in an Xpress Post with a cover letter in July 2006 and sending it to Coteau, saying to myself “If it gets rejected again, I’m going to self-publish.”

I have done two revisions, and with each one, I am happier. I cut away about 4500 words from the first draft, even though I added a few scenes and rearranged others. For me the revising process is the most fun. I get a feeling of satisfaction when I lop off three or four paragraphs of  “drivel.” If there’s a line of dialogue I don’t like, I get rid of it. It’s sort of like trimming the fat off a piece of steak.

I’m not sure what Coteau will think. In some respects I think this manuscript is superior to its predecessor. But Not Just a Boy’s Game/Power Plays had eight years to evolve. The sequel – as yet unnamed – was written in three stages. I wrote two chapters in February 2008, one chapter in May 2008, and the rest from October to February. Not counting plays, I have never written so many words so quickly.

And the trick for me is to give myself permission to write drivel. When I’m in the midst of drivel, I know it’s drivel, but I just keep telling myself, “I can always cut it later. Maybe something good will come out of it.” I also jumped ahead and wrote large chunks of significant events. I didn’t know how I was going to condense six weeks of Jessie’s life, but I was amazed at how easily it happened.

Now the waiting begins. Will they or won’t they? That is the question.

 

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On Recent Developments in My Small Corner of the Literary Universe

March 3, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

So it’s official. Power Plays has been nominated for the 2009 Snow Willow Award — the winner of which will be announced in February 2010. What longevity you might say. And I would certainly agree. How can my modest little young adult novel (about which I was once asked, “What would ever make you write a book about girls’ hockey anyway?” by a teacher no less) published in 2007 STILL be in the running for awards? It boggles my mind. Anyway, for those of you not familiar with the Willow Awards — they are a young readers’ choice award. Librarians (if there are still schools left in our province that have managed to KEEP their librarians) will encourage students in Grades 7-9 to read all ten books nominated in the Snow Willow category and vote on their favourite. Eric Walters and Gordon Korman also have books nominated in this category. Simply wow. And for those of you think I am beginning to sound more and more like Jessie McIntyre in my blog — you’re right. After four months of immersing myself in Jessie’s world, I find myself unable to write in any voice but hers. I have finished a very rough draft of a sequel to Power Plays. And now the real work begins –going back through it and making sure it all hangs together. Revising has always been my favourite part of the writing process, but it is still intimidating.  I have a subplot which needs to be replaced by another subplot, and I’m not sure how easily I can do this. Oh, I know what I’m replacing it with.  I just don’t know if I can make the events around it fit. However, I did the same thing numerous times in the original, so I am an “old hand” at it. Stay tuned to hear more about “mein kampf” with the revision. 

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On the Bush Fires in Australia

February 16, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

I recently received this email from a friend in Melbourne, Australia, and I am passing it along to you. Maureen, thank you for your concern.You would understand even more than me (a city dweller) how it would feel to lose nearly your whole community. Marysville for example is where 1/5th of the town died, in some cases whole families. Nearly every building including the school & homes of 1500 people went up like they were hit by an atomic bomb. Yesterday (a week later) locals were bused in to see what happened to their town & homes…but not allowed to get out of the bus. The town is being treated as a crime scene and there are still missing people not found under  the rubble of their homes or the homes and building they ran to seek shelter in.The speed at which the fire moved has everyone amazed and no one has ever seen anything like this before. In some places the radiant heat was so intense it killed people any closer than 200 meters….The stories of heroism are amazing. For example one (as yet unknown) policeman got 200 people who had gathered on an oval in Marysville to leave town with only seconds to spare…if they had stayed they all would have died.The man who was saved by his horse which pushed him through a guard rail & down a hill into a stream. The horse was slightly burnt but lived too.The people who fled to a neighbours coolstore hid inside while the owner put out spot fires around the coolstore & sucked air from plastic bottles to be able to breathe in the oxygen deprived air.A week later the fires are still ranging but at the moment there are no people or properties under treat. The city of Melbourne has been covered by smoke haze all weekend so we have a constant reminder of what is happening. There is very little we can do except donate money & blood. Everyone has been affected by this and most people I speak to are grieving in some way - even if they have not been personally affected. It is a great show of support to offer to donate to the bush fire appeal. The best place to donate is the Red Cross. They and the government are working together to get cash payment direct into the hands of people who have lost everything and those injured in hospital.(From the Australian Red Cross website) “Red Cross will not deduct any funds whatsoever from the Appeal for administration costs with all funds going to people and communities affected by the fires. Every cent received by Red Cross is being transferred on a daily basis to a Trust Account set up by the Victorian Government for distribution.”I cannot believe that in just 4 days the Australian public (not including the Government & corporate sectors) have donated over $50 million.It would be great if you let other people who want to do something  know that the Red Cross is the best way to go. 

Posted in On Our World Community | 1 Comment »

On Hockey Days in Saskatchewan . . . and Manitoba

January 31, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

It’s been a bittersweet hockey season to be sure.

The clock is slowly winding down to Robin’s last games wearing a Huskie jersey. It’s been a great ride for the last five years, but it’s nearly over.

Five more league games. And then – hopefully – playoffs. One doesn’t ever get too cocky around the Gods of Hockey because they have a way of humbling you when you least expect it.

And speaking of humbling — we’ve had a few very humbling moments in the past few weeks.

First, let’s travel back to the 2^nd annual Hockey Day in Saskatchewan. This year’s event was held in our hometown of Lampman.

Ten games and hundred of volunteer hours later, the event is over, but the people who participated will remember it for years.

I have so many favourite moments. Where to start?

How about – kids and adults playing shinny on an outdoor rink on the baseball diamond? The midget team showing up to manhandle the plywood floor into place in the curling rink.  The variety of delicasies served up by the Lampman Kitchen Committee –from perogies and sausage to a hearty chili (served with pickle). Richard driving the zamboni in a tuxedo. Lamp Man, our mascot, being present for the ceremonial puck drop. The initiation team going out for a skate and O Canada at the same time as the SJHL All-Stars.

Let’s not forget $42000 raised at the jersey auction on Friday night.

The interdenominational church service on Sunday morning.

All our minor hockey teams playing at home that weekend. 

And – most importantly – the arrival of the U of S Huskies at our farm on Saturday afternoon. I couldn’t believe it when the entire team climbed off the bus. Keep in mind these girls are fulltime university students. Randy and I were overwhelmed that they would come to Lampman on their weekend off – to play an exhibition game in Robin’s hometown. It was very humbling indeed.

And their game against the AAA Midget Westman Wildcats, which boasts two members of the Canadian Under-18 Team, was a fast-paced contest which concluded in an overtime 3-2 win for the Huskies. Many people in our area had never seen a live women’s game before, and they were some impressed.

Afterwords the Huskies and Wildcats gathered in the lobby to sign autographs.  All those children – gathered around our Huskies – were thrilled to get an autographed team poster and tattoos. But in the end, I’m not sure who enjoyed it more – the kids or the Huskies.

Fast forward one week later to Winnipeg. It was a bitterly cold weekend, but our memories of it will keep us warm for a very long time.

After going down to defeat 5 –2 in Game One, the Huskies rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the 17 - 0  Manitoba Bisons in a shootout.

The Huskies’ game-tying goals can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg9zy9tfy70.

And if you’re concerned about it taking a long time to watch, don’t be. The Huskies score both goals within the last 14 seconds of regulation. It was their Miracle on Ice.

Women’s hockey is a beautiful game. It’s hockey at its purest – and in my humble opinion – at its best.

And we are sure going to miss it.

 

 

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On 2009

January 1, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

Okay, I have an idea. It’s not a revolutionary idea. It’s just a thought on this blustery January 1st morning. You know that plaque that everyone has in their house these days — the one that says “Live, Laugh, Love”? Let’s add another L for 2009. The most important L of all — when combined with the other three. I’m not saying that living, laughing, and loving aren’t important. They certainly are. But by themselves, they sounds a bit shallow, don’t they? How about — learning?  Yes, learning. Learning something about ourselves — seeing our flaws, digesting constructive criticism and acting accordingly. Learning about our friends and family members.  Learning about our world.  Which makes me wonder — if next year, I could somehow arrange it that the service companies who gives us food and clothing and other items to show their appreciation for using their businesses — could just give us cash? Then we in turn could dig a well in an African village or something like that.  Our oldest daughter gave us the gift of a donation of “living water” this year. It feels so good to know she is on that path.   Oh, that brings me to another L.   Listening.  A wise person once said, “You never learn anything by listening to yourself talk.”  And no one loves to talk more than I do, but lately I have been trying to be a better listener. To ask more questions, and actually listen to the answers. I think it’s called active listening — when you’re not just waiting for the other person to take a breath so you can start right in. Anyway, just some thoughts on the new year.  I hope it’s as good for you as 2008 was for me and my family. Happy New Year, and God bless you all with love, laughter, life, and — a few other L’s.   

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On Breaking 40 000

December 10, 2008 by maureen.ulrich.

Yes, I’m now at 42 000 words, and Jessie’s second season with the Xtreme is well underway. I’m not used to writing at this break-neck pace. (Okay, I’m not used to writing LONG FICTION at this pace. I have been known to hold auditions for plays which aren’t finished yet. For example, “Mrs. Ulrich, how come we can’t try out for Uncle Lester? You listed him on the Cast of Characters?” And I’m thinking — because he only appears in Scene Four and I haven’t written Scene Four yet. When you’re teaching ELA, it’s hard to squeeze in time for writing student productions.)  So now I have written 33 000 words in the space of a few months. And I am painfully aware of the flaws in what I have written, but I don’t have time to go back and do any revising — because I don’t know if the revisions will be “on the mark” either.   I just keep going, keeping my fingers crossed. Today I started  a chapter about a road trip to Swift Current for a hockey double-header and suddenly — and entirely by accident — discovered a way to reveal something Kim. I’ve known what the “something” is for some time but the “how to reveal it” was a total mystery. This reinforces for me the notion that a writer shouldn’t pre-write or pre-think every element of plot. Something’s got to be left for “inspiration.” And I think that’s where the realism in writing comes from — because it’s characters acting and reacting — instead of me forcing my preconceived ideas of plot outline on them. Of course, most of what I’m writing could end up on the cutting room floor — as did many, many scenes from Not Just a Boy’s Game/Power Plays.  I’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.

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On the Day After (the 2008 Saskatchewan Book Awards)

November 30, 2008 by maureen.ulrich.

November 29^th, 2008 has been a red-letter date on my calendar for quite some time.

Nearly two years ago  (two days after the 2006 Book Awards) I learned Coteau Books would be publishing my manuscript entitled Not Just a Boy’s Game — then 54 000 words, minus several scenes, and unedited.  Coteau’s acceptance of my manuscript meant that all things were possible – including a Saskatchewan Book Award nomination in 2008.

That being said, I could have gone the self-published route and STILL ended up with an award nomination. But without Bob Currie’s help, I don’t imagine for a minute that would have happened.

And now, the day after the awards, I have to refocus.

No, Power Plays did not win an award. I was 0 for 3 on the evening, and that has given me much to think about.

First of all, it’s interesting that my humble little YA novel bridges a gap between the literary and sporting worlds. It is literary enough to receive attention from people who know a great deal about writing – but still worldly enough to reach an audience of virtual non-readers. That is something quite remarkable.

I wouldn’t trade the stories of “I read it in one sitting” or “I gave it to my cousin, who has a reading disability, and she read it in a week” or “I never dreamed that girls could be so mean to one another” for any award.

Ah yes, you are thinking. She’s just saying that so she’ll be able to sleep at night. And you are probably right.

Secondly, have I really worked hard enough to deserve an award? It dawned on me after Pam Bustin’s amazing book Mostly Happy won First Book, “Did you really think it would be this easy?”

Yes, Not Just a Boy’s Game and later Power Plays were my blood, sweat, and tears for 8 years. But I know I’m not working nearly as hard as other writers – or taking nearly as many risks – financially and creatively. I have the luxury of being able to write when I want and not have to worry about how I will fund my daughters’ education or my retirement or keep my marriage intact.

Thirdly, my husband pointed out to me this morning that Gary Hyland, winner of the poetry award and the Book of the Year, might gladly switch places with me. Gary is gradually succumbing to ALS, and struggles each day to communicate with his loving wife and devoted friends. I am blessed to be living this life.

Finally, how badly can I feel about NOT winning, when four years ago, I sat at a table at the book awards and ground my teeth in frustration as I watched authors walk to the podium? Even seeing an author wearing a nominee’s name tag and sitting at a table full of family and friends was a source of aggravation. How disappointed should I be that the cover of Power Plays was displayed on a screen THREE times – and that I was able to parade into the banquet hall in the company of Gail Bowen and Alison Lohans and Arthur Slade? That I sat at a table with our best friends and two beautiful daughters and a writing colleague, one table away from the Coteau family?

I’ve been living in the sporting world so long that I’ve been attuned to the notion that winning is everything. In the arts world there are no losers.

When we walked into the Hotel Saskatchewan last night, I saw the notice board, which listed events within the building.

Coteau Books was scheduled to meet at 10:00 AM on Sunday, December 30^th.

And I know very well what kinds of decisions are made at those board meetings.

And in that instant my entire focus shifted from the 2008 Book Awards to 2009 and 2010.

I’m 30 000 and counting. 

The zamboni has finished its flood. The teams are lined up at center ice.

It’s time to quit thinking about past successes and get ready for next season.

Anything is possible again.

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On 23 000 and Counting

November 21, 2008 by maureen.ulrich.

Yes, it’s happening, and much faster than I thought. It’s  downright easy when the characters take over. And so much more fun when I don’t have to figure out who Jessie is multiple times. I just follow her voice. So far I have reintroduced previous members of the Xtreme — fleshing them out a little. I didn’t know until two days ago that Miranda, the goalie, moved to Canada from Minnesota with her mother. Nor did I know that Larissa’s roots are in Kenya. And I wasn’t too sure about moving the setting from EJH to ECS, a school with which I am less familiar. Nevertheless, I have a working knowledge of the school, and with a little help from some students I know, I think I can create a believable setting. I have set a goal of being finished by mid-December, and I am already one third of the way there. Not bad considering it took me THREE YEARS to write this many words in my first draft — most of which were changed/axed in the subsequent seven drafts. Just over a week to the book awards. And no, I won’t be in the least bit disappointed if I don’t win. It is just so awesome to be GOING under these circumstances. I can’t imagine that anything in my writing career is ever going to top that evening. I’ll keep you posted on the results. Check back on November 30th. 

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On Catching a Moonbeam

October 31, 2008 by maureen.ulrich.

Everyday I think to myself . . . is this the day I wake up and realize it’s all a dream?Last week I learned that Power Plays has won the Moonbeam Award in the Young Adult category. This means a gold sticker will be placed on the cover, and we all know how school librarians love stickers. This is a significant achievement for my humble little novel, and will certainly help reduce the damage done by a less-than-complimentary Kirkus review (where a girl who is bullied is summed up as “whiney”). I will attach a link to the Moonbeam website, so you can read for yourselves what this award, which is given out by Independent Publishers, involves. Meanwhile  I have purchased a new outfit for the Saskatchewan Book Awards ceremony (any excuse will do!) and am contemplating dusting off the 9000 words already completed on Power Plays’ sequel. Let’s remember that it took me three years to pen the first draft of the original — and I knew exactly what was going to happen in that one. I’m still not sure “who” the coach will be in the sequel, and just maybe . . .  I am afraid to find out! 

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