Today's partisan is the guy who has held a grudge against a classmate since high school, and believes he'll settle the score at the next high school reunion only to realize that no one other than him and the jock who peaked in grade 11 has shown up.
I've been there. Take the win!
My hair.
It's #PromptMyStory Tuesday, which is my attempt to encourage students to be more creative. Here's this week's story starter:
"I don't know why my brother kept texting me the same emoji for the last hour, but when I looked at my screen closely, I realized the emoji was my brother."
It's been a while since I did an in-person author visit. I was tickled when one teacher came up to me after to say she remembered my book talk... from when she was in fifth grade.
Looking for a perfect weekend listen? I give you my conversation with @martychan.bsky.social - a playwright, mystery writer, YA author, and raconteur, with his smart analysis of some of Alberta’s current political madness. #AlbertaUnbound #abpoli #cdnpoli #yeg #Edmonton #Alberta
For writers and those interesting in the craft of storytelling, the early bird deadline for the Writers' Guild of Alberta conference is Friday, April 17. Register now and save a few bucks. I'll be doing a panel about the business of being a writer.
It's Tuesday! Time for another #PromptMyStory to motivate kids to write.
"The weird thing wasn't the music coming from my compost bin. It was the fact that the carrots on the kitchen counter started dancing to it."
I’ve been meaning to have author and playwright @martychan.bsky.social on Alberta Unbound for ages! Here he is, at long last. We talk about Bill 28, book bans, Chinese-Canadian identity, and the racism resurgence. #ableg #abpoli #yeg #Edmonton #yegarts
When Mickey Amery gave himself immunity as Justice Minister, he had to be anticipating the news that broke this week. The UCP has no moral centre.
When someone with the nuclear codes writes "a whole civilization will die tonight," I don't think you can dismiss it as hyperbole. I sure hope someone with a spine is left in his cabinet, but the number of ill-fitting shoes tells me otherwise.
It's Tuesday! Time for another #PromptMyStory to help teachers motivate their students to write:
"My in-home security camera revealed my dogs doing something that made me afraid to go home."
The sad thing about Alberta separatists crowing about reaching the threshold of petition signatures while ignoring that over 400,000 Albertans signed a petition to stay is this likely means they'll never admit they are in the minority. They'll just whine, bully, and rage while businesses ghost us.
I expected the UCP government to ignore the Forever Canadian petition numbers, but come on, legacy media. You want to go ga-ga over the separatists claiming they hit the lower threshold Danielle set for them, but you won't put into context what FC did with less time and a higher bar?
For any parents looking for an activity to keep their springbreaking kids entertained, here's a #PromptMyStory. Get them to write a story from this story starter.
"This year, spring actually broke. The sun has been missing for three days. What happened?"
Only one spot left for my free online workshop on writing suspense (April 7 at 6:30 pm). This session is for adult learners and I'll give a glimpse into how I developed The Bone House. You can register here:
www.reginalibrary.ca/attend/progr...
Awesome! I'm thrilled that I could make her day. Thanks for sharing!
I spent all of yesterday afternoon building a tech trick for my virtual visits today. I loved watching the pure shock and genuine joy on the kids' faces.
It's Tuesday! Time for another writing prompt to help kids get creative. #PromptMyStory
"The last ship leaving the dying planet had room only for two more passengers, but there were three of us. How were we going to decide who would stay behind?"
I'm teaching a Zoom writing workshop for adults April 7. The Regina Public Library and the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild teamed up to make this a free online session. You don't have to live in Saskatchewan to attend, but you have to register here:
www.reginalibrary.ca/attend/progr...
A fan of my books has asked for some help in an online poll. The voting ends today (Friday) at 3:30 MT, but if you have it in your heart to help. Please vote for Goeldi's Monkey.
sites.google.com/epsb.ca/abmm...
In my dystopian novel, governments make decisions based on opinions rather than statistics, media outlets report gossip instead of facts, and people will do anything for clout. Oh wait, you wanted fiction. Never mind.
Scene from the local gym shower:
"Sir, I really wish you weren't so thorough drying off."
"Why do you care?"
"Because you're using my towel."
Shrinking is my fav comedy series because so many of its cast are connected to other series I loved: Happy Days, How I Met Your Mother, Scrubs, Abbott Elementary, Cougar Town, Just Shoot Me, Hot in Cleveland, and the Drew Carey Show. Throwing in Indiana Jones to the mix doesn't hurt either.
The UCP is the shady contractor who overpromises and under delivers. They'll blame subcontractors for shoddy work, missing deadlines and rising costs. And UCP supporters won't switch to a new contractor, because they're petrified of being burned twice.
It's Tuesday! Time for another #PromptMyStory to encourage kids to write.
"The CEO of a major hamburger chain refused to take more than a nibble of their signature hamburger. What does he know that we don't?" #edusky
Anyone want to help a group of students? Some middle-schoolers who loved my book wanted to get some votes for their March Madness animal. Their animal is the Goeldi Monkey (in the Mighty Mammals bracket). Throw a vote their way if you have time.
sites.google.com/epsb.ca/abmm...
Seriously, I did not have an Alberta premier wants to bring back a head tax on my 2026 bingo card.
"The scientist on the Zoom call was muted, but she looked panicked as she mimed giant claws and pointing up. What was she trying to describe?" #PromptMyStory
Pam Bondi’s performance is no surprise to anyone who has watched the Apprentice. She’s fighting for a pardon that only one sadistic person can give her. No one else matters.