…a question that relates to writers’ story-building processes, which often happen in two distinct methods: plotting and pantsing.

Plotting: where the writer first creates an outline for the entire story with decisions about key plot points and character made before the actual writing begins. Many writers like having a clear direction or “roadmap” for the full project; some even find it reduces some of the substantive editing at later stages.

Pantsing: involves writing the story on the fly – or on the seat of your pants – with the story evolving and coming together while writing it. Many consider this method the freshest, most dynamic approach to story creation, and they savour the freedom of writing sans outline.

Both methods have their merits and their proponents. As for whether I’m a plotter or a pantser…

I have experience with both approaches.

My debut book, DOG WALKER, was a “pantsing” joy, which I wrote from start to finish, without fully knowing how I would end it. A humorous story about an awkward teen who starts a dog-walking company to meet girls, the story is a fast “romp” and it fell together equally fast.

[]

I began following the same method for my second novel and was enjoying this subsequent pantsing experience as well. Partway into my early draft of VANISH, however, I began struggling with the story’s direction. Not ready to give over my pantsing ways, I instead danced around the story — writing whichever high-impact scene shouted the loudest in my head, regardless of where it fell in the manuscript.

But when it was time to pull those scenes together — complete with writing the segues to connect them — it wasn’t immediately clear to me where each scene needed to fall. So I began plotting them out. My writing method for VANISH felt like rather a hybrid…

…leaving me wondering if I was truly a plotter or a pantser.

I didn’t fully resolve that matter, though, because Fate intervened with book #3 via my publisher’s acquisition process. Invited to pitch my story to them, I shared a brief summary and some early dialogue for SAVING GRAD, ie all I had completed at that point.

I was overjoyed that the editor loved the story concept. These words, though, made my stomach twist into tight, ugly knots: “The trigger to a book contract is an approved outline.”

An approved outline… of the entire novel? The novel I hadn’t written yet? Did I even know how it would end? Not really. And I definitely didn’t know most of what would happen in the middle.

Frantic, angsty outlining ensued and luckily, the editorial team approved my outline. My editor also confirmed her flexibility should new story possibilities arise while I was writing SAVING GRAD. To my surprise, though, I largely stuck with the outline.

From that point on, plotting grew more central to my writing process, and I began to feel  lost without an outline — a feeling that persisted as I went on to write…

…followed by:

…and next up:

.

… and then,

…and, of course,

…AND, other fun manuscripts I’ve been developing since then.

I’m currently working on my next middle-grade novel and I recently finished my toughest round of no-holds-barred outlining EVER.

As for whether I’ll completely stick to my outline, my best guess is this: not likely. I seldom do.

I know, though, that my writing process involves both plotting and pantsing, and that their relative weight varies with each project. I often “pre-write” the scenes that tug at me the hardest from the outset. I then turn to some serious outlining. And then more writing, with my outline at my side.

While I refuse to be fully wedded to outlines, the stability of having one in hand feels helpful and reassuring from the outset.

In the plotting vs pantsing conundrum, I believe there’s room for a third category: PLANTSING.

Should you ever feel so inclined, feel free to meet me in that happy third space. There’s room for you there, too.

Yesterday, history was made. For the first time, a former American president became a convicted felon and was found guilty on 34 counts.

This news carried me back to November 2016 when I was visiting family and friends in Southern California–a trip I had booked without realizing it overlapped with U.S. Election Day.

UNITY CLUB (Orca Book Publishers, 2018)

As many Canadians will attest, American politics impact us as well. And while I was in the U.S., the buzz about the upcoming election and the startling turn it seemed to be taking was palpable. Still, I hoped for the best.

While votes were tabulated and reported upon that evening, my fears grew. I was far from alone in that sentiment and the flurry of texts from my university-aged children back home mirrored my sense of dread.

“Mom, he’s pulling ahead.”

“I’m afraid he might win.”

“OMG what if he wins?”

And later, “Mom, I can’t believe Hilary just conceded.”

After a sleepless night and lots of tears, I rose and saw firsthand the fear many Americans were feeling. The distress was rampant… sobbing, businesses closed by marginalized owners fearing a resurgence of hatred, and hushed conversations about family conflict and divisiveness.

After yet more tears, I did what authors often do: I began to write.

I decided my next book would feature a young female president who, although imperfect, held a strong social conscience; believed in a kind, inclusive society; and was prepared to alter her views when facts warranted.

That book became UNITY CLUB – a title I’m extra proud of as the words “convicted felon” and “34 counts” ring out.

My goals in writing UNITY CLUB were to help foster empathy; to encourage respect for individual differences; and to invite people to search deeply for facts and to examine them critically.

Given the heartache and hatred the now-convicted felon seemed intent on emboldening in the days that followed, may yesterday’s guilty verdicts offer some healing. May all 34 convictions further offer hope that society can move forward and embrace the justice, empathy, and unity that many of us found lacking during the 45th presidential term.

Here’s to better tomorrows.

*********************************************************************************************************

I was honoured to be among 55 authors, illustrators and storytellers invited to “Sail into Stories” as part of the 45th annual Canadian Children’s Book Week tour.

“Sail into Stories” poster created by the Fan brothers ~ Devin, Eric and Terry Fan.

For this national tour, artists usually travel out of province to speak with young readers and writers in different parts of Canada.

Of course, little has been “usual” these past few years. The 2022 tour once again happened virtually, with artists connecting with teachers, librarians and students via Zoom and Google Meet.

So wonderful to feature  my cherished protagonists: Jean-Luc of PICKPOCKET and Brett of UNITY CLUB.

To better showcase my virtual journey across Canada, I followed the advice from librarian Claire from the London Public Library and plotted my travels on a map.

my (virtually) well-traveled week

Over the course of the week, I presented to students in:

• Victoria, BC (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday morning and evening)
• Maple (near Vaughan), Ontario  (Wednesday)
• Whitehorse, Yukon (Thursday)
• London, Ontario (Thursday)
• Terrace, BC (Friday)

Of all of my virtual visits, Victoria BC is the only place I have visited in real life… so far!

A former math teacher, I also felt the need to crunch some numbers:

Total # of presentations: 8

grades: 5-10 + one adult group

total # of attendees/book lovers: 320

total # of grateful authors: ONE

one grateful touring author

CCBC Book Week has certainly left its mark on me. My heart is full as I savour the new connections, smiles, and warm memories of the magic that happens when book lovers converge and share their love of stories.

Many thanks to the Canadian Children’s Book Week organizers and coordinator, generous sponsors, and all the wonderful hosts and students who welcomed me into their classrooms and libraries. It was a great pleasure!

I’m delighted to announce my family has once again grown — this time with the arrival of Jean-Luc of Pickpocket.

my eight darling (book) babies

Here’s a better picture of the new baby, with Jean-Luc — driving way too fast for his mom’s liking, I might add — on his uncle’s Vespa through the streets of Old Nice in France.

PICKPOCKET – Orca Book Publishers, January 2021

Because Jean-Luc entered the world during a pandemic, I couldn’t host a live event to welcome him. Instead, I marked the occasion with a photo countdown on Facebook and Twitter in the days leading up to the book release.

I’m delighted to further share the photos here to offer some insights into what compelled me to create Jean-Luc and his story.

I quickly became friends with Rex, the socca maker’s friend, who held court each day outside Chez Thérésa.

The story begins with my first visit to Old Nice in 2012. The apartment I rented was beside a socca shop called Chez Thérésa.

How to order socca at the market: “Une portion de socca, s’il vous plaît.”

I definitely ate my fair share of socca. A popular street food there, socca is a flatbread that is much like a crêpe but is made from chickpea flour. I immediately loved Old Nice and with its creamy texture and crispy edges, I also loved socca from the first time I tasted it.

Marché aux Fleurs

Although Thérésa and her family made the socca in their shop, they transported most of it to the Marché aux Fleurs and sold it there. Despite its name, the market vendors sell more than just flowers… luscious produce, local honey, homemade soaps and lotions, tea, baked goods and, of course, socca.

When I first saw the bustling market and the winding streets, my immediate thought was: “What an ideal spot for a chase scene!” And so, the town of Old Nice became my first character in the story that grew to become Pickpocket.

An evening picture “sur la prom”

The Promenade des Anglais (Englishman’s Walk) is a famous 7-kilometre path which runs along the Mediterranean Sea. As the locals would say, I was “sur la prom” when someone tried to steal my wallet. Luckily, I returned to my apartment with both my wallet, and a story idea starting to emerge.

That leads me to my second character: 17-year-old Jean-Luc Dupont, who spends his summer working at a socca shop. As for how I got him there…

“La maison est un désastre.”

…Jean-Luc’s life has been on a downward spiral since his sister passed away two years ago. After his friends talk him into throwing a massive house party to celebrate the end of eleventh grade, his parents have had enough. They send him away to work with his great uncle Henri in Old Nice for the summer.

The narrow streets of Old Nice often change names, even when you don’t turn a corner, thereby confusing directionally-challenged people like Jean-Luc and me.

Initially annoyed at being so far away from home, Jean-Luc soon meets a pretty young woman on the Promenade des Anglais and decides his summer might not be so bad after all…

…until he realizes Selina has stolen his wallet.

the weekly antique market in the square

Selina took shape in my mind when I began reading about rings of young pickpockets being forced to steal, and to then turn over the winnings to their handlers. Although this situation mostly occurs in larger cities like Paris, pickpockets are also prevalent in Old Nice.

coastal route to Villefranche

Still grieving the loss of his sister, Jean-Luc sometimes makes poor choices. But on a rare day off, he makes a great choice: to hike the winding coastal trail from Nice to nearby Villefranche-sur-mer.

the beach at Villefranche

While at the beach, Jean-Luc processes all that has happened to him while in Old Nice, and over the past few years. He also starts to envision how he might get his life back on track.

my research spot in Old Nice: ‘Marc de Café’

Like Jean-Luc, I spent considerable time reflecting on life while in Old Nice. Its charm and relaxed vibe seem to lend itself toward doing so. I also completed much research there and I remain grateful to Marc and his regular café patrons for their patience in answering my many questions over morning cappuccinos and afternoon glasses of rosé.

When it’s safe to do so, I still dream of hosting a book event to further welcome Jean-Luc into the world. I am also, of course, dreaming of my next visit to Old Nice — and I invite you to join me there too via the pages of Pickpocket.

Many thanks to Orca Book Publishers, who partnered with me in creating Pickpocket. Special nods to my editor Tanya Trafford, and to Ella Collier, who completed the beautiful design work.

I encourage teachers, librarians, and all book lovers to check out the many fine titles in Orca’s collection. Visit www.orcabook.com. 

Not so very long ago, I thought a trailer was just for lugging sports gear or for towing farm equipment from one place to another.

As a farm kid, this is the type of trailer I grew up around.

More recently, I’ve come to enjoy BOOK TRAILERS and the bird’s-eye view they offer into new books — complete with fun visuals and music.

I was thrilled when Canadian kidlit author and tour de force, Eric Walters, put me in touch with Dan Rolo. An Ontario-based teacher, Dan also builds book trailers to help connect his students to Canadian authors, and to generate enthusiasm for reading their books.

Volleyball Vibe (Lorimer Sports Story; released fall 2020)

With insights by acclaimed author Lorna Schultz Nicholson, Dan created this wonderful book trailer for Volleyball Vibe. This is my second Sports Story and it features Ria Tanaka, a grade 8 student and (initially) a reluctant athlete who joins her very first school team…. the volleyball team.

While working with Dan on the trailer, I learned we have something else in common: we both love working with junior high students. Throughout my eight years as a teacher, I mostly taught grade 7 and 8 students. Dan gravitates toward the same grades and this year, he teaches a grade 7/8 class.

Dan Rolo, teacher and superhero

I’m delighted that in addition to being the proud owner of this wonderful book trailer, I will get to do a virtual classroom visit with Dan’s students during #IReadCanadian week. How lucky am I?

Karen in Zoomster presentation mode!

Not surprisingly, Dan is also involved in “I Read Canadian: 2.0 Now More Than Ever.” This initiative is very dear to me and it encourages students to read a Canadian book for at least 15 minutes on February 17, 2021.

“Now More Than Ever”

As always, I am inspired by all that teachers like Dan (aka “Mr. Rolo”) do to make a difference in students’ lives. And, of course, I think he has surpassed himself with my shiny new trailer for Volleyball Vibe.

Thank you, Dan, for the wonderful book trailer and for your work inside and outside of the classroom.

Like all parents, I worry about my kids. Are they getting enough sleep? Are they eating properly? Are they interacting well with their peers?

My maternal worries especially surface when the family undergoes a major milestone like what we just experienced: the addition of a new baby. And so….

Mother-daughter picture: Karen and new family member, Ria of VOLLEYBALL VIBE.

…welcome to the world, dear Ria! I hope you will be happy in your new family with your glorious siblings!

Since it feels like time to update the family portrait, I called the entire group to gather around the piano for a photo shoot.

Of course, it’s hard to get everyone looking at the camera and — kids being kids — someone is always glowering, or yawning and complaining it’s too early, or telling me to hurry up because they’re hungry. But eventually, I snapped this group pic:

Is it just my maternal bias, or are they the cutest kids ever?

As for the newcomer, Ria seems to be adjusting well to her new family. In typical form, she spent the first few days hiding behind her cell phone and not talking to anyone.

Ria (VOLLEYBALL VIBE), Simone (VANISH) and Brett (UNITY CLUB)

I finally insisted Ria put her phone away, at which time she did a dramatic sigh and grabbed a volleyball. She then invited Simone and Brett to join her in the park to practise.

Jonas of TAKING THE LEAD

Jonas soon followed them to the park. I think he was most interested in showing off on the track. He came back shortly after and reported that Ria, Simone and Brett told him to “get over himself.” Jonas is now sulking upstairs in his room. We will all chat about this later.

Vienna (SAVING GRAD) and Zaine (PUSH BACK).

The older teens, Vienna and Zaine, are my most serious kids. They recently became serious coffee drinkers as well, and are discussing life over massive, steaming mugs.

(They generally clam up when I walk into the kitchen so I’m eavesdropping from the living room.)

Winston Turkington, aka “Turk” of DOG WALKER

Turk has now joined Vienna and Zaine in the kitchen. I know I can count on Turk to lighten things up. I also know the kitchen will be a disaster if I don’t get in there soon — because Turk never puts stuff away and he still hasn’t figured out how to use a dish cloth to wipe the counter or the stove.

That said, all seven of them are great kids who make me proud. And thankfully, Ria is already finding her place in our little family, where she is warmly welcomed and dearly loved by all of us.

Many thanks to my publishers, James Lorimer & Co. Ltd. and Orca Books, for helping my darling family continue to grow. I invite everyone to (safely) explore their local bookstore or library if you’d like to get better acquainted with any/ALL of these sweet kiddos. And please tell them, from me, to mind their manners, to stick together, and to get home before dark. Because their mom tends to worry.

It’s always incredibly exciting and gratifying to introduce a new book to the world. And so…

World, please meet Taking the Lead!

Taking the Lead (James Lorimer & Company)

Many people are involved in creating a new book, starting with the author and acquisitions editor, through to the production, design, and marketing people. I’m grateful for the many pros at James Lorimer & Company who were my teammates in bringing Taking the Lead to life.

Here’s a (possibly) little-known fact about book publishing… Sometimes authors don’t create the titles for their own books. I originally called this story Going the Distance. My publisher and editor, however, felt Taking the Lead is a stronger title. I agree with them, although sometimes Going the Distance still slips from my mouth.

Going the Distance Taking the Lead arrived in the world on September 3, 2019–the same day many students returned to school. So, my new book is now exactly one week old. (Gosh, they grow up so fast!)

The book is targeted toward 10-13 year-old students, and is inclusive to those who read reluctantly. I had the opportunity to chat with Tara McCarthy at CBC Radio a few days prior to the book’s release. We chatted about the importance of turning reluctant readers into avid readers via books like Taking the Lead.

Here’s a link to the broadcast:

My interview on CBC Radio

As for the book itself, Taking the Lead features a track star named Jonas Bosch. When the story opens, Jonas, who is sometimes overly proud of his achievements on the track, is unkind to some younger teammates. Jonas soon lands in the principal’s office, where Ms. Oshima further notices that Jonas has also failed to complete his required hours of volunteer work. He is devastated when she pulls him from the track team, although she later cuts him a deal: if Jonas trains Darien, a vision- and physically-impaired athlete, to run a 5-kilometre race, Ms. Oshima will let him compete at the final track and field meet.

At this point, I’d like to share another writerly fact: one of the main jobs an author faces is to make the protagonist suffer. So, I ensured that Jonas and Darien couldn’t stand each other. That made it extra fun [read: agonizing for my protagonist], because Jonas and Darien were tethered closely together for their training runs and the 5k. That meant the two teens had to work out their differences at super close range. (Talk about awkward!)

I won’t disclose anything else about the story… because apparently you can lose your Author Card by giving too much of your story away. But I hope you’ll check out Taking the Lead.

And, if you’re an Edmonton area reader, I hope you’ll join me, along with my adored author-colleagues, Alison Hughes and Lorna Schultz Nicholson, at our two upcoming signings on September 14th and 15th.

Chapters St. Albert
Sun, Sept14, 12:30-2:30pm

Audreys Books
Sun, Sept15, 12:30-2:30pm

Alison, Lorna, and I would love to see you at Chapters St. Albert, and at Audreys Books. We’ll be signing books, chatting about writing, and generally sharing our love of all things book-related.

On a final, personal note, I will be drawing on PUPPY POWER at those signings… because I recently adopted a new puppy!!!

July 31, 2019: adopting Bowie from a farming & beekeeping family near Smoky Lake, Alberta.

Three-month-old Bowie–a border collie-golden retriever cross, aka “my little rockstar”–is doing his best to ensure his mom doesn’t get toooo much sleep at any one time, while also brightening my days… and tormenting his big sister, Zolli.

Puppy antics aside, I’m happy to report both dogs/co-writers have fine taste in books!

Hope you’ll join me, Alison Hughes (author of Watch Out), and Lorna Schultz Nicholson (author of Just Three) for our book signings this weekend!

My double book launch for Unity Club and Push Back is now in the rearview mirror and wow, what a party!

For now, I hope you’ll take my word for that, as my photographers are still downloading the pics they took on Sunday at Audreys Books.

Here is one of the few pictures that I have so far. It elicited the following response from my wonderful Orca editor: “Congrats, fellow southpaw! That is a lovely pic.”

“Lefty Signing A Book”
(Photo credit: the lefty’s sweetie)

As for those other pictures, I will try to remain patient while reminding myself that my photographers (aka my husband and big brother) “have other lives and jobs too”–or so they say.

While I’m not a photographer on their level, I did snap this shot of some tasty goodies. I pulled these from my oven several days before my launch, then attached threatening notes before stuffing them in my freezer.

butter tarts (blissfully raisin-free) and ginger cookies

What is not shown is the luscious chocolate cupcakes my friend, Melody, also brought to the launch. I’m hoping that my photographers managed a few shots of them before they disappeared from the table at Audreys.

As for the ginger cookies, my friend, Debby, requested the recipe, which I have shared below. You can tell from the ragged, well-stained recipe card that these cookies have been a staple in the Spafford-Fitz household for many years.

For clarity, I have re-typed the recipe below….

Karen’s Book-Launch Ginger Snaps

Preheat oven to 350*F.

Cream together: 3/4 cup butter and 1 cup sugar.

Add: 1 egg and 1/4 cup molasses. Mix everything well.

Add: 1/2 tsp bkg soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp each cinnamon & ginger; 2 cups flour. Mix well.

Form into balls. Roll in sugar. Leave round.

Place on cookie sheet. (I use a pizza stone.) Bake for 10-12 minutes in preheated 350*F oven. (They will still look somewhat undercooked when you remove them. Let them cool on cookie sheet.)

Enjoy the cookies. Best served with a good book…. or two!

Thanks again to the friends and family who helped make the celebration a snowy success. Special mentions to Audreys Books, Orca Book Publishers, and James Lorimer & Co.

I hope you can join me for the party at Audreys Books… Sunday, September 16th at 2 pm.

This is a first for me: the first time I’ve ever had two books released at the same time. So that calls for a half-time show, right? I mean, if the Super Bowl can do it, why not Audreys Books too?

There will also be a book talk, readings, refreshments (including my special raisin-free butter tarts), and a signing. It’s where ALL the cool* kids will be hanging out this weekend.

(*cool = awesome, book-loving)

Would love to see you there! And don’t hesitate to wear your favourite toque, puffer jacket, and winter boots in deference to Edmonton’s rude startling summer weather.

Happy reading, friends, and welcome to the world, Unity Club and Push Back!

Many thanks to Audreys Books, Orca Book Publishers and James Lorimer & Company. 

A side effect of constant reading is that I’m often in the grips of serious “book crushes.” They sometimes sneak up on me. Other times, they grab me by the heart right from the outset.

Prince Angelica: Camp Catastrophe (Orca Books: spring 2018) is an example of the latter type. From when I first heard about Princess Angelica — the young girl who convinces her bunkmates at summer camp that she is an actual princess — I was smitten.

Princess Angelica: Camp Catastrophe, featuring Angelica, aka “Jelly”

As a child, I spent weeks each summer worrying that my parents might send me away to summer camp. Mom and Dad never once mentioned summer camp to me yet for some reason, it seemed relevant at the time to worry about it. After all, camp would have deprived me of my precious tagging-along-behind-my-big-sister time, plus I was very shy then and couldn’t imagine spending a week living among new people.

So in my eyes, Angelica/Jelly was remarkably brave for going away to summer camp at all. But not only does she go to summer camp, she ROCKS summer camp by spinning the most fantastical stories about living in “a humungous stone castle surrounded by a moat filled with crocodiles,” who of course let her “ride on their backs. They’re better than floaties — or rafts.” And then there’s Jelly’s personal Jacuzzi, “which is constantly filled with jelly-bean-scented bubble bath.” (Sigh.)

[Above: the shy 8-year-old who would LOVE to have gone to elementary school — and maybe even summer camp — with Jelly.]

Angelica sparkles with the right proportion of sass, whimsy and — when she experiences some pushback about her alleged royal lineage — contrition. Another side to Jelly’s inventive personality is her ability to repair broken objects. This skill comes in handy when she also needs to repair some friendships.

The “story behind the story” is just as delightful. When asked how she came to write this early chapter book, author Monique Polak has this to say:

“When I was 11, I went to the Y Country Camp in the Laurentians here in Quebec and I told my bunkmates that I was a princess. All summer, they made my bed and did my chores. In exchange, I told them stories about the royal court. So there’s a quite of lot of me in Princess Angelica!”

the incomparable Monique Polak