Riding and Writing

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

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?

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

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

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

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!

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.