Chris McMahen Author

Welcome to the World, Sophie!

2012-01-02T21:29:00.001-08:00

The best of 2011 was saved to the last . . . Sophie Madeline Bell born on Dec. 31st!

Box of Shocks Study Guide Now Available

2011-12-05T19:04:00.000-08:00

These dancers are dancing up a storm . . . Why? Because they've just heard that the all new, fresh off the brain, Box of Shocks Study Guide is available for teachers, parents, or anyone else who wants to dig down into the depths of this new novel.

To get your free copy . . . Yes! You read that right . . . Free copy . . . All you have to do is let me know the general geographic region you live in (just because I'm curious where Box of Shocks has gotten to), and I'll send you the attachment.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Marshmallow Pizza?

2011-11-27T21:18:00.001-08:00

One of the highlights of the book launch of Box of Shocks was being presented with Oliver's "most favourite food in the whole world" . . . marshmallow pizza. Rea put this together, and later in the evening, I had a taste. I can assure you, it was VERY sweet. I can confirm that marshmallow pizza is most definitely something Oliver would declare to be his favourite food. As for me . . . well . . .

Out to Launch!

2011-11-27T21:12:00.001-08:00

Thanks to all of the 250 or so people who came out for the Box of Shocks launch. What an evening! These two photos captured the left hand side of the crowd followed by the right hand. I missed a whole bunch of people on either side and a bunch at the back, but I think you get the idea. Many thanks to Silke, Heather, Loyola, Rea, Lisa, Melanie, Madison, Josh and many many more who helped make this such a great event.

The Official Book Launch Poster

2011-11-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

The Great Box of Shocks Book Hunt!

2011-11-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

The Box of Shocks Book Hunt is officially off the ground . . . er . . . in the ground . . . or whatever . . .

Anyway, thanks to a small army of dedicated GPS-slinging book hiders, copies of Box of Shocks are scattered in remote and not so remote locations throughout British Columbia.

Would you like to find one? Of course you would! Just go to www.boxofshocks.blogspot.com and you can get all the details of how it works.

A special thanks to Amy and her friends in Victoria, Nancy in Nelson, Ivor in Williams Lake, Sheena in Prince George, Chris (not me) in Armstrong, Shannon in Salmon Arm, Karen and Geoff in Whistler, Gord in Golden, and Peter in the Lower Mainland for all of their efforts and enthusiasm.

Box of Shocks Ready for Take-off!

2011-10-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

The official launch of Box of Shocks will be taking place on Friday, November 18th, 2011 at 6:30 pm. Come and join us at Highland Park Elementary School in Armstrong, B.C. for a great evening of joyful jollity, hilarious hilarity, and an all-round fun time. Proceeds from book sales will be donated to Right to Play.

Be there or be rectangular!

Box of Shocks Unleashed!

2011-10-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

My latest novel with Orca Books, Box of Shocks, has now been officially unleashed upon an unsuspecting world. It's available online from Orca Books, Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, other fine brick and mortar bookstores, and pretty much everywhere that sells new books. Stay tuned for details of the book's official launch, as well as the Box of Shocks Book Treasure Hunt, coming to a forest near you.

North Okanagan Shuswap Young Writers

2011-09-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of the young writers who participated in the School District #83 North Okanagan Shuswap Young Writers Project.

At the outset of the project, I had one primary goal:

Have students write a short story and go through the experience of revising it a number of times (three) with the help of an editor (me).

In terms of personal growth as a writer, working closely with an editor has had the most profound impact upon my own writing. I've read dozens of books on writing and taken countless workshops, but nothing can replace the experience of working with an editor on one's own writing.

I wanted these talented students I was working with to take their writing to the next level. The way to do that was to go through a series of intensive revisions, re-examining their work from the broader aspects of plot, characterization, and setting, to the specifics of word selection.

I was wondering how open to such intensive criticism of their work they would be. Many young writers (and old ones, as well) aren't open to the criticisms of an editor.

These 40+ students that began the project ALL came through the revision process with determination and dedication. Every single one responded extremely well to the editorial critiques I presented and raised the level to their writing to stratospheric heights. Hats off to them all (and, of course, their very supportive parents!)

Thanks also to Shera Niewenhuizen for her organizational wizardry in pulling the project together and in the production of the anthology.

We're already looking forward to the 2011-2012 version of the project!

Four Excuses for Not Updating This Blog Over the Summer

2011-08-31T21:03:00.001-07:00

Enough said.

Summer?

2011-07-23T22:31:00.001-07:00

What is one of the best ways for a writer, artist, scientist, accountant, ballet dancer, photocopy repair person, circus contortionist . . . anyone for that matter . . . to rejuvenate? Head for the mountains for some rambling and scrambling, that's what.

Pictured above is Lake McArthur, situated in Yoho National Park. Mid-July and the ice is still on the lake. And I packed my swimsuit all the way up there for nothing!

Box of Shocks Cover Revealed

2011-06-13T20:08:00.001-07:00

Here's a sneak peek at the cover of my new book due out this fall with Orca Books.

Tabloidology Hits Korea!

2011-05-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

Tabloidology has arrive in Korea. With a complete make-over of the cover, Vidam Publishing has produced a fine edition complete with cover flaps, high quality paper, and a textured cover. Of course, the great paradox here is that I now have a book I've written but can't read. Who said life always makes sense?

Returning Home

2011-03-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gone back to a house you used to live in? It’s a strange experience. The furniture’s all different. Maybe the walls have been painted. The pictures on the walls aren’t the same. Maybe some renovations have been done to significantly change the insides. No matter what, the house just doesn’t look right.

It doesn’t look right because you’re comparing the house now to the house then, when you lived in it.

Pictured above is a house I lived in when I was between the ages of about four to eight. When I was writing my upcoming novel Box of Shocks, it was this house I re-imagined for the setting. Of course, the beauty of creative writing is that you have free license to twist, reshape, chop, glue on, and generally refabricate reality. It's like cosmetic surgery for your memory.

But even if I wanted to accurately represent this old house in my novel, I couldn’t– my memories of this house are like a patchwork quilt with a bunch of missing panels. I have vivid memories of parts of the house and events that took place. But I’m quite willing to admit, there are huge gaps in my memory for many details. To fill the gaps, that’s where the imagination comes in very handy.

It’s been said that History is part fiction, and Fiction is part history. In the case of this house and my new novel Box of Shocks, never was this statement more true.

Endings and Hamstrings

2011-03-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

There’s no doubt in my mind that one of the most challenging aspects of writing a novel is the ending. In the revision process for Klutzhood, I had to redo the ending three times.

One thing I have discovered, however, is that it’s impossible for me to write towards a pre-planned ending. The best approach for me is to delve into the story, beginning with a situation from which the characters grow. Events unfold, and I have to have confidence that the ending, unknown as I write, will emerge.

Maybe my approach to life should be more like that.

One of my non-writing obsessions is cross-country ski racing. This week, I’m taking part in the Masters World Cup being held at Sovereign Lake, near Vernon, B.C. In my first race– a 30 kilometre skate ski race– everything went as well as I could have hoped. I had a respectable finish with a personal best time.

But in my next race– a 10 kilometre classic race– the proverbial wheels fell off. I fell near the start and pulled my hamstring. I tried to ski on, but by four kilometres, my body started shutting down– a condition I later learned is called vasovagal response. My race, with all its expectations, was done.

Certainly I was greatly disappointed, but then, this episode got me thinking.

Maybe I should approach life more like my writing. Maybe I should drop into the situation and see what outcome emerges, rather than getting all stressed about achieving imagined expectations. Thank you hamstring!

(Photo by Peter Jobbins)

Just Write!

2011-02-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

In Salmon Arm on February 18, 2011, I'll be appearing at the conference shown below, along with Gail Anderson-Dargatz, Harold Rhenisch, and a host of other writers and teachers. Don't worry. For some reason, the brochure PDF I got looks kind of spooky with the negative images, and all. But really, we're not a negative group, and it should be a very ____________ (PROVIDE YOUR OWN SUPERLATIVE) day.

I'll be doing a bit of a reading in the morning, then giving a workshop called, "Jumper Cables for the Imagination." Anyone brave enough to show up will be able to try out some of my creative writing tricks for writers young and old.

Unfriendly Giants

2011-01-07T22:31:00.001-08:00

The Big Ceilidh Fiddle

One of the great landmarks in Sydney, Nova Scotia is the Big Ceilidh Fiddle. Canada seems to be a land of giant things. There's the giant hockey stick in Duncan, B.C., the giant Easter Egg in Vegreville, Alberta, the giant cross-country skis in 100 Mile House, B.C. and now, if you drive along Deep Creek Road between Armstrong and Salmon Arm, you'll pass the giant push lawn mower. Believe me, it's worth the trip!

All of these giant things inspired for the short story for adult readers, "Unfriendly Giants," which appears in the December edition of Other:_________ magazine. I don't want to disappoint any T.V. fans out there, so I'll forewarn you that Jerome and Rusty do not appear in the story. Nor is there a chair for one who likes to rock or a chair for two to curl up in. In spite of these shortcomings, please check the story out if you manage to get your hands on a copy of this magazine.

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

On behalf of Buddy, Deedee, Arlo, Pinball, Rocko, Cedric, Mr. Butterworth, Trixi, Martin, and the newest members of our team, Max and Diggory, I'd like to wish everyone an enjoyable holiday season full of all the good things in life.

And, maybe it's just me, but I have a feeling 2011 could be a good one.

The Box of Shocks

2010-11-21T20:19:00.000-08:00

NEWSFLASH!

The Box of Shocks

That's the tentative title of my new novel due out in 2011 with Orca Books!

Beware of hidden boxes buried in basement floors!

Watch out for dogs that chew on old cars and metal appliances!

Be cautious standing on the edge of bridges!

Never go trick or treating at a pseudo-zombie's house!

Never trust a parrot that doesn't talk!

Never use too many exclamation marks!

Watch for further details!

First Line Triggers

2010-11-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

If you want to have some fun, try these first line triggers on for size and see what your mind conjures up.

I knew I was in trouble when . . .

My grandma always told me never to . . .

The last thing in the world I wanted to see was . . .

I should have known that it’s impossible to . . .

I’ll never forget the sight of . . .

It was confusing to see . . .

When I opened the washing machine, I looked in and found . . .

Who would have known that . . .

When I opened my birthday present, I was shocked to see . . .

My life changed with the arrival of . . .

It didn’t turn out to be a very good idea when my friend suggested we . . .

If you come up with some good first sentences, not so good first sentences, or whatever, drop me a line and let me read them.

Open With a Blast

2010-11-08T22:03:00.000-08:00

Let's use those jumper cables for the imagination once again, shall we.

Great writing begins at the beginning– with a great opening sentence often referred to as . . .

THE HOOK

In writing a story, sometimes it’s that first spectacular sentence which launches you, as a writer, into the story. In other words, the story flows from the first sentence.

So, what makes a great opening sentence?

There are no rules, but it seems to me, a great opening leaves the reader in a state of curiosity, asking questions like, “What’s going on here?” “Where is this story going?” and so on. The reader’s curiosity has been tweaked, so they feel compelled to read on.

At least, that’s my theory. Stay tuned for some specific suggestions on how to create such mind-blowing opening sentences.

Spontaneous Writing

2010-10-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

Quiet Chaos

Okay, so here's the result of thinking over those randomly generated words . . . Quiet and Chaos. This piece is short and could serve the basis for a longer piece of fiction.

A riot broke out at the Marcel Marceau School of Mime when it was announced that white makeup would be severely rationed. This dangerous problem was soon defused when an anonymous donation of twenty cans of white latex paint arrived at the front gates under the cloak of midnight. The donor remains a mystery, although the school's principal may know more than any of us could imagine. Since that chaotic day, a quiet peace has reigned at the school. How long this peace will last has been thrown into question as rumours persist that a worldwide shortage of invisible boxes is looming. Caution is advised. There’s nothing more dangerous, nothing more frightening, than an angry mime.

Writing's Mad Scientist

2010-10-23T21:14:00.001-07:00

Here's another playful writing activity that is bound to get the creative sparks sparking, the creative flow flowing, and the creative juices . . . um, juicing? Anyway, this is one step up from the Dictionary Game. Instead of one random word, you generate two. I call it . . .

Adventures of a Wordly Mad Scientist

You throw two strange compounds together into a test tube. You give it a shake. You heat it up over a flame. Then . . . who knows what amazing chemical reaction you'll get? The test tube may even explode!

I found a great site which generates random pairs of words:

http://creativityforyou.com/combomaker.html

When two words, a noun and an adjective, are randomly thrown together, you get some interesting combinations that really get your creativity sparking, flowing and juicing (?) I've tried a few out. Sometimes it takes a number of tries with the generator before you see one that has that special intriguing quality about it. So far, my favourite one is . . .

Quiet Chaos

I'll put this combination in my little mind and let the creative dough rise. I'm not sure what I'm going to write, but I know this combination has some possibilities. I'll get back to you on this one.

Playing the Dictionary Game

2010-10-05T20:38:00.001-07:00

So, here I am, flipping open the dictionary, closing my eyes, and BANG! I point to a word. And that word is . . . stunt, as in stuntman. Switch on the imagination, and let the words flow. Here's what I've come up with . . .

Stefano had a dream. That dream was to become a stuntman. One day, his big chance arrived. A movie was being filmed in town, and there was a call out for people who were interested in taking that first step into a career in the movies.

Stefano waited up all night outside the door of the movie director’s office, desperate to get a part in the movie. As he waited through the night, he dreamed of driving a Porsche at high speed through town, swerving around invading zombies while dodging machine gun fire. Or maybe they’d ask him to wrestle an alligator that had escaped from a zoo and was terrorizing the town. Could it be he’d be shot from a cannon, flying through the air and landing right on top of an escaping bank robber? The possibilities of Stefano’s role in the movie were endless, and he was ready for anything.

Finally, at eight in the morning, the door to the office swung open, and a scruffy looking man in a sweat suit covered in coffee and ketchup stains looked out at Stefano.

“Yeah? What do you want?” the man said.

“I’m here for a part in the movie!” Stefano shouted, jumping to attention to show his eagerness. “I can do anything! I’m not afraid of fire, loud noises, man-eating animals, or going really fast in a car! I don’t even mind jumping from trains or being shot from a cannon!”

“Have you done any of that stuff?” the man said, looking quizzically at Stefano as he rubbed the stubble on his chin.

“Well . . . not exactly,” Stefano replied. “I mean, I have ridden my bike really fast, and I’ve jumped from an awful lot of swings in my recess career. I figure those experiences have really prepared me for a career as a stuntman.”

“Is that so?” the man replied. “Well, the role we’re looking to fill in our movie isn’t exactly that dangerous, I’m afraid.”

“That’s okay,” Stefano said. “I’ve got to start somewhere!”

“Okay,” the man said. “If you’re keen, the job is yours. Come on in. We start filming in an hour.”

Stefano spent the rest of the day on the set of the movie dressed up as a giant ice cream cone. The movie’s director gave Stefano only two instructions– “Just stand there! Don’t move!”

Stefano’s first job as a movie stuntman wasn’t exactly thrilling. Even worse, Stefano was allergic to the giant ice cream cone costume. When he took it off at the end of the day, he was covered in strange purple dots.

But even worse, the director decided to cut the scene with the giant ice cream cone from the movie. The whole experience was one great big disappointment for Stefano. As a result, he decided not to become a stuntman.

“I want something with more danger!” he declared. “Something where I’m risking my life!”

So if any of you hear of someone looking for a lion tamer, please give Stefano a call. He’s busy in his backyard practicing with his tabby cat named Snickers.

Jumper Cables for the Imagination

2010-09-19T21:23:00.000-07:00

What’s the greatest fear of every writer? Illiterate zombies taking over the world? Loss of use of the left pinkie finger, thus necessitating the use of words that exclude the letters ‘q,’ ‘a,’ and ‘z’? Probably not.

I’m talking about Writer’s Block– the sudden inability to put words to paper. More accurately, the inability to create ideas which spawn words. I have a particular fascination with this phenomenon. Don’t ask me why.

Over the years, I have taken on this dreaded condition, developing a variety of methods for its remedy. They don’t always work, and some work better than others.

The first one I’d like to mention is what I call . . .

“The Dictionary Game”

If you’re stuck, and can’t think of the next sentence to write, grab a dictionary– a dictionary of slang is my favourite. Close your eyes, open to a random page, and jab your finger on a random spot on the page. Open your eyes and read the word. Challenge yourself to include that word in your next sentence.

It sounds counter-intuitive. Here you are, forcing yourself to fit a word into a sentence when you can’t even think of a sentence in the first place. The strange thing is, it often works. For some reason, when your mind is backed into a corner by being forced to use a particular word, this is a call to arms for the imagination. The random word is like a jolt that gets the mind rolling again.

Give it a try. Think of it as a game. If it doesn’t work, you haven’t lost anything. Let me know how it goes.

Getting Lost in Lunenburg

2010-08-03T19:19:00.001-07:00

Oh, the joys of getting lost! Last week, we were driving around Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, looking to head out of town when we took a turn and AMAZING! We came upon this very old school. I recognized it immediately as the inspiration for Eric Wilson's Ghost of Lunenburg Manor. Plus, right next door was the grave yard that is an important element of this fine book.

So, there you go. Getting lost does have its benefits. Always knowing where you're going is so overrated.

More Artistic Interpretations

2010-07-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I wrote Buddy Concrackle's Amazing Adventure as a "pictureless" photo album was to have readers visualize each of the missing photos from Buddy's album. Last week, I received a number of incredible artistic renderings of these "missing" photos thanks to Melanie Dawson's class in Calgary. Here are just a few . . . Can you figure out the specific scenes from the story?

Artistic Interpretations

2010-07-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the unknown student from Ranchero Elementary School who sent me this wonderful interpretation of a scene from Klutzhood, in which Arlo rides a bike through the library, chased by an enraged teacher-librarian.

Final Authentic Look

2010-06-16T20:15:00.001-07:00

After six and a half hours of riding, this is my “Exhausted Bewilderment” look.

You be the judge as to which of these author photos would be best for the back of a book. In the meantime, I will continue to write and recover from my exhausted bewilderment.

Authentic Look Number Four

2010-06-16T20:12:00.001-07:00

At five and a half hours, this is my “I Need More Oxygen . . . Much More Oxygen” look.

Authentic Look Number Three

2010-06-16T20:10:00.001-07:00

At three and a half hours, this is my “Maybe I’ve Swallowed Some Dirt, But I’m Going to Keep Going” look.

Authentic Look Number Two

2010-06-16T20:06:00.001-07:00

Two and a half hours later, this is my “I Broke My Chain and Spend Half an Hour Trying to Fix it While Being Attacked by Mosquitoes!” look. Excruciatingly authentic.

Look Number One

2010-06-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

This is my “Brimming With Happy Thoughts and Overflowing With Optimism” look as the race is about to begin.

Authentic Author Photos

2010-06-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

Ever noticed how author photos at the back of a book are mostly quite polished, staged, and posed? You never have a photo of an author at 6:00 a.m. only fifteen seconds after they’ve rolled out of bed. And you never see a picture of an author right after spending an hour or two in the dentist’s chair having a root canal. Yes, they are all so polished and refined.

I’m afraid I’m somewhat guilty of this myself. My photo in Klutzhood and Tabloidology was taken by my son, Ben, when we were out snowshoeing one Boxing Day. It’s the, “Hey, I’m in the Wilderness Under a Snow-covered Tree” look. No studio, no special lighting, but still, it was staged and posed.

May I present to you in the following posts a much more authentic set of author photos. These were taken spontaneously during the course of a six hour mountain bike race in Williams Lake called the Pedal by the Puddle.

Riding and Writing

2010-06-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

What do these two activities have to do with each other?

Nothing and everything. (By the way, I wouldn’t recommend doing them at the same time, however, the mind works in strange ways regardless of what the body is doing.)

If you’re stuck for that killer ending to make your reader gasp in amazement, go for a bike ride.

Looking for a great opening line? Go for a cross-country ski. Or a run. Or a paddle in a kayak. Whatever works.

For me, it’s time to be out there, in the woods or on the water, all on my own, simply moving. This combination immerses the mind in a relaxed, creative mood when revelations suddenly flash forth whether you want them to or not.

I have to admit to carrying a notebook, and on occasion, stop to jot down a note or two. But usually, the revelation is enough to be remembered and applied to whatever I’m writing later that night.

So, riding and writing go hand in hand, along with skiing and writing, paddling and writing, and running and writing. Maybe I should buy a pogo stick!

The Beast in the Dumpster

2010-05-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to visit Hillcrest School in Salmon Arm, B.C. and see what incredibly creative activities the teachers and students are doing with my books. Here's a great idea for a class reading Klutzhood . . .

When Arlo's sitting on the Dumpster lid, he hears something and feels the lid move. He assumes there's some Dumpster monster down below. One of the teachers at Hillcrest School in Salmon Arm had her students listen to what Arlo thought the monster might look like. Then, she turned them loose and had them draw the monster in the Dumpster. What a great idea! The students' attention to detail was amazing.

Thanks to Joc, Hillcrest's Librarian Extraordinaire, for taking the picture.

If you have any other spectacularly creative spin-off projects relating to any of my books, I'd love to hear about them. Just send an email!

Also, don't forget about the Klutzhood study guide, full of all sorts of bizarre activities and questions, available at the Orca Books website.

What's Your Favourite Flavour of Ice Cream?

2010-05-19T21:36:00.000-07:00

Yikes! I'm thinking I look much better dressed up as a big red dog, although my peripheral vision is much better in this get-up.

Here I am at Hillcrest School in Salmon Arm as part of my North Okanagan-Shuswap tour. What a terrific audience they were. Then again, everywhere I go on this tour, I've met vast hordes of enthusiastic readers who always ask the most interesting questions.

Yes, sure I get, "Where do you get your ideas," or "How long does it take to write a book?" But one bright little grade four student in Carlin asked, "What's your favourite flavour of ice cream?" My answer? "Tin Roof Sundae!" How can you beat the combination of chocolate, peanuts, vanilla, and whatever other magical ingredients they add? Of course, I'll eat pretty well anything (I draw the line at flavours containing live insects, reptile parts, or anything hexagonal) but Tin Roof Sundae is my very favourite.

Here's a question for you! What do you think would be the favourite flavour of ice cream for Buddy, Martin, Trixi, Arlo, Cassie, Mr. Butterworth (butterscotch?) or Ms. Baumgartner? If you have a guess, please send me an email, and I'll let you know if you're right.

Being Clifford

2010-05-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

Take a look . . . a good close look, and I’m sure you can tell. Underneath that thick layer of brilliant red hair, behind those big friendly eyes, and somewhere inside that benign smile, you must be able to tell. Yes! It is, in fact, yours truly dressed up as the world’s biggest red dog.

But don’t think dressing up as Clifford is just all fun and games with a bit of tail wagging and paw waving. No siree! The Clifford costume comes with guidelines. Very strict guidelines. Among them . . .

Clifford is not to be seen with his head off at any time.

Clifford is NEVER allowed to talk.

Clifford is NEVER to lift his leg.

And there’s more. Plenty more.

So when you’re dressed up as Clifford the Big Red Dog, the pressure is on. You have to act like Clifford, which means you have to improvise.

How would Clifford react to, say, knocking over a book display with his errant tail?

How does Clifford dance like John Travolta?

How does Clifford sign autographs without an opposable thumb?

How does Clifford maintain his friendly, cheerful persona when he’s melting in a pool of sweat and his glasses are fogging up so he can’t see a thing?

How does Clifford manage the greeting of young children when he has no peripheral vision and can’t see anything within two metres of his big feet? (Check the picture. This kid is out of Clifford’s range of vision. We hope he wasn’t traumatized by being ignored by the Big Red Dog.)

Fortunately, I had a very capable handler who guided me through the trappings of a school family dance and fund raiser night. The evening was incident free– at least, as far as my limited vision could see– and Clifford’s reputation as a happy, helpful, rabies-free dog was upheld. Thank you Randy!

The Post Wins the Okanagan Short Fiction Competition

2010-04-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Much to my great surprise, my short story, "The Post," won first place in the 2010 Okanagan Short Fiction Competition. The story, written for an adult audience, can be found on the UBC Okanagan website. Thanks to my writing group for their feedback in shaping the story into its final form. Below is a photo of the actual post that inspired the story. If you want to see it, it's located on St. Anne's Road in Spallumcheen, B.C. Wherever you live, it's worth the trip to see it!

The Fraser Valley Tour

2010-04-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

The author apprehensively receives a high five from the Spirit Bear outside the White Rock Public Library. (Note the hockey stick held firmly in the left hand, just in case. Although he may look like a jolly old fellow–the bear, I mean– you never really know. That's why you should always have a hockey stick at the ready.)

Thanks to all who made my tour of the Fraser Valley so enjoyable, especially all of those great librarians and students involved in the Reading Link Challenge.

A special thanks to Ada Con for pulling the tour together.

Klutzhood Lands in the Fraser Valley!

2010-01-11T19:13:00.001-08:00

A special hello to young readers of the Fraser Valley! Preparations for this year's Reading Link Challenge are under way. On January 18th, 19th, and 20th, Arlo, Pinball, Rocko, the Mysterious X, Cassie, and the rest of the cast of Klutzhood characters will descend upon six libraries in the Fraser Valley. Of course, all of these characters will be represented by the novel's author, Chris McMahen (that's me) and a borrowed hockey stick.

For those of you attending one of my sessions, come prepared with questions and quick reflexes. Elbow pads and face masks are highly recommended!

Thanks to the great people at the Fraser Valley Regional Library for organizing this tour.

2009-06-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

World Tour Completed!

The Official Tabloidology World Tour is now complete. Thanks to students, teachers, readers, and other enthusiasts in Vernon, Armstrong, Salmon Arm, and Golden for welcoming me with open arms and making the tour such a success.

Of course, the tour never really ends, so to say it's completed is a little bit erroneous. Maybe to say it was a world tour is also a bit erroneous, but there you have it. Excessive enthusiasm can lead to a flare for the over-dramatic. But isn't the over-dramatic way more interesting than the understated?

Hmmm. We'll have to think about that one.

Tabloidology's Official Launch

2009-04-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

High Prairie Reading Challenge Results!

2009-04-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

Over 96 participants took part in the High Prairie Klutzhood Reading Challenge. Congratulations to all of the participants, and thanks to the organizers, especially Kayla, for making the event such a success.

And the winners are . . .

The St. Andrews girls team of Billie, Catlyn, and Jayna squeaking out a narrow two point victory!

How Reading Tabloidology Will Change Your Life . . . FOREVER!

2009-04-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

1. You will never look at a photocopier the same way ever again.

2. You will be haunted by the question, “Is the news meant to inform or entertain?”

3. You may have second thoughts regarding your ambition of becoming a school principal.

4. Every time you bite into a pickle, you will think of Razor and his guitar.

5. Every time you enter a public washroom, you will listen for voices coming from the strangest places.

6. You will always attend school fundraisers with a feeling of anticipation and just a little fear.

7. You will wonder what the photocopier’s real name is.

8. If you ever hear the name Trixi, you will think of giant sewer rats, flying outhouses, and attacking maple trees.

9. You will always wonder just exactly what the photocopier technician is really up to.

10. Every time you look at a newspaper headline, you’ll think, “What if . . .?”

No April Fools' Joke!

2009-03-25T22:54:00.000-07:00

On April 1st, Whoopee Cushions will be pulled out of secret storage cupboards, the lids of glue pots will be loosened and their contents dabbed in the strangest of places, and rubber snakes will make sudden appearances. All this in the name of prankery!

Also on April 1st, and quite suitably so, I might add, my newest book, Tabloidology, will be unleashed upon the world.

Why is April Fools' Day a suitable day to release this book, and let it run rampant across the planet?

Simply because at the heart of this book is a prankster named Trixi Wilder who tries to make the world around her a little more interesting by dressing pigs up as Cupid, organizing softball games with water-filled balloons, and inviting guest speakers to bring their motorbikes down the halls of her school. And when a photocopier begins to perform in ways that could only be described as magical, Trixi’s pranks are taken to a whole new level.

But that’s not all the book's about, of course. There’s much more depth, intrigue, suspense, action, slapstick, and other elements that will make reading this book a truly momentous moment in any reader’s life.

If you want to pre-order a copy of Tabloidology– and let me assure you that you will– you can find it at:

http://www.orcabook.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=599

Happy April Fools' Day!

World's Smallest Bookstore?

2009-03-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

In a recent visit to Hornby Island, British Columbia, I had the privilege of spending some time in what I think just might be the smallest bookstore in the world. In the words of my late great grandmother, inside there isn't even enough room to swing a cat. I'm not sure why you would want to "swing a cat." I just know that it means the place is awfully small. It's called 32 Books, although I can assure you there are far more than thirty-two books in this store. This store proves that size is no barrier to quality!

Here's the challenge I'm throwing out to everyone. Can anyone tell me about a bookstore that's even smaller than this one? If so, I'd like to hear about it.

The Top Five Reasons Why I Like Saskatchewan

2009-03-09T21:19:00.000-07:00

The Top Five Reasons Why I Like Saskatchewan

1. On a cross country bicycling trip, my brother and I concluded that Saskatchewan tied one other province as the friendliest place in Canada.

2. My grandfather homesteaded near Maple Creek in the early 1900s.

3. My first book, Buddy Concrackle’s Amazing Adventure, was published by Saskatchewan publisher Coteau Books.

4. It’s the most symmetrical province in Canada.

5. Klutzhood was nominated for a 2009 Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Willow Award!

How can you not love such a province!

Where Do Ideas Come From? #4

2009-03-05T23:11:00.001-08:00

Another event in Klutzhood which was based on a memory of mine was the scene where Arlo had to ride his bike through the school. When I was in grade six, I went to a small boys’ private school. The building was one long hallway from end to end with classrooms off this one long hall and doors at both ends.

After school one day, one boy dared another to ride his bike from one end to the school to the other and out the far door. Unfortunately, he got caught by the janitor. The next morning, at our regular assembly, the two boys were punished in front of the entire school. (Let’s just say their punishment was rather painful.) The incident of that bike ride through the school seemed to fit perfectly with one of the dares X gave Arlo.

So, there you go. When you’re writing, the memory churns out ideas right when you need them. The only catch is, I can’t force ideas to come forward. They have to come forward of their own volition. All I can do is relax, and keep an open mind. Then, the ideas will just jump out of nowhere and announce their arrival. In creative writing, there’s never a dull moment.

Where Do Ideas Come From? #3

2009-03-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

In my novel, Klutzhood, there are a number of events which are based (very loosely) on my own personal experiences. Here’s an example:

On my first day at a new school in grade three, I threw up on the way into the school. In Klutzhood, Arlo throws up at the door of his new classroom, splattering the shoes of the principal. Throwing up at school is just about one of the worst experiences you can have. At least, it was for me. I remember they used to call the janitor to come up from the boiler room in the basement. He’d bring a bucket of sawdust and a trowel to clean up the mess. While he cleaned up the mess, you'd be looking around for a rock to hide under.

So you can see, even some of the more horribly awfully traumatic events in your life can become great material in writing fiction. As a writer, no experience is wasted!

Where Do Ideas Come From? #2

2009-02-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

So, where do these ideas spend their time until they jump forth? I’d say they live a life of quiet luxury in some deep dark corner of my brain. I’m sure some ideas live quite contentedly, and never feel the urge to spring forward into my wakeful mind. Others just won’t leave me alone.

Most ideas get their start in personal experiences. Some quirky little experience I’ve have sometime during my life will take up residence in my brain and stay for good. When I look back on my first two novels, Buddy Concrackle’s Amazing Adventure and Klutzhood, many of the events portrayed are based on memories of past experiences. Not that I climbed through air ducts or rode a bike through the school or anything.

That’s the beauty of fiction. Novels can be like a tall tale of your own life.

Where Do Ideas Come From?

2009-02-26T22:17:00.000-08:00

The most common question I get when I talk to audiences about writing is, “Where do you get your ideas?” There’s no simple answer to this question, I’m afraid. Well . . . I guess there is, because I could say:

“I HAVE NO IDEA!”

The way it seems to work is that when I’m writing, an idea will jump out of nowhere and land with a thump in my mind and shout, “I’M JUST WHAT YOU NEED!” or “I WAS MEANT FOR THIS STORY!”

Yes, it’s just that weird. The ideas seem to just pop out of nowhere. So, getting ideas is pretty much out of my control as I’m in the flow of writing.

How's that for an answer?

Memory Tip #3

2009-02-19T22:10:00.000-08:00

My final memory tip to the readers in the High Prairie Reading Challenge is one I call, The Secret Weapon! This method of memorization was developed, supposedly, by a group of traveling musicians who lived in Bolivia in the 17th Century and were known for memorizing very long songs in short periods of time. Although the method is said to be very effective, it can also be very painful.

Although I was sworn to secrecy not to reveal their top secret method, I will say, it involves standing on your head and reading the book backwards. I know it sounds crazy, but if it worked for the traveling musicians of Bolivia, why can’t it work for us?

Now that I’ve shared three incredibly effective methods of memorizing Klutzhood’s 34,610, I wish all participants in the High Prairie Reading Challenge the best of fun, and the best of luck.

Memory Tip #2

2009-02-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

And now for the promised second memory tip for readers taking on the Klutzhood Reading Challenge.

It is a well known fact that one of the best triggers of memory is the sense of smell. This second tip in helping with your Reading Challenge is sure to work, for it is based upon a large body of scientific evidence. At least, I’m pretty sure it is.

Buy a large package of smelly felts. Take a copy of Klutzhood and a selected smelly felt flavour, and highlight the entire first chapter, running the felt over the words.

My suggestion would be black for licorice, simply because I really like licorice. Unfortunately, although Chapter 1 would smell great as a licorice chapter, it would be very difficult to read. Maybe you should go with orange for Chapter 1.

After you’ve highlighted the words, read it and take a good long sniff at the end of each page.

For Chapter 2, I’d got with banana yellow. For Chapter 3, it’s definitely a purple grape. With Chapter 4, it’s a toss up between lime green and blueberry blue.

I think you get the idea.

When it comes time for the challenge, for any question from Chapter 1, you’ll pull out your smelly felt, jam it up your nose, inhale, and the answer should flash immediately into your mind.

At least, that’s the theory.

Memory Tip #1

2009-02-14T20:32:00.000-08:00

Further to my earlier post on the High Prairie, Alberta Reading Challenge, I would now like to offer some tips which will help young readers memorize all 34,610 words of the novel Klutzhood. In addition to memorizing all 34,610 words, be sure you don’t overlook the spaces.

Memory Tip #1

Measure the wall and ceiling space of your bedroom. Buy one copy of Klutzhood for every 17,328 square centimetres of ceiling and wall space. Remove the binding of the book and wallpaper and ceilingpaper your room with pages from the novel. To plaster your room with the full novel, you’ll need at least two copies to get both sides of each page. Over the next few days, you will be surrounded by the pages of Klutzhood. Surrounding yourself with words is a great start in your quest for memorizing the novel.

Look for Tip #2 (and I can assure you, it's even better than Tip #1!) in the next few days.

High Prairie Reading Challenge

2009-02-13T22:04:00.000-08:00

The brave, young readers of High Prairie, Alberta are undertaking a perilous challenge. They are facing a barrage of 34,610 words that will show no mercy, take no prisoners, and leave the faint of hear quaking in their boots. Yes, let the World of Literature know that the young readers who frequent the High Prairie Municipal Library are taking on the Klutzhood Reading Challenge!

To survive the challenge and emerge victorious, young readers are required to read the book and commit every tiny, miniscule detail to memory. Who knows how difficult the questions might be?

What is the seventeenth word on page 96?
What was the size (in cubic centimetres) of the engine in the truck Arlo’s mother drove on his first morning of school?
What was the colour of Pinball’s left eye?

Don’t worry, kids! I don’t think the questions will be quite so obscure. But still, to win the challenge, you will need to remember many, many details.

To help you prepare for the challenge, I thought I would offer up some tips in the next few days which might help you with your memorization of the novel, Klutzhood. Stay tuned.