I begin my writer in residence program in six days. Very exciting. Toothbrush,...check. Laptop,...check. Plane ticket,...ahem, no.
You see, this writer in residence adventure is a little different. I'm not camping out in some cabin in a rustic tourist town and I'm not headed for a stuffy, windowed room in a metropolitan library where school kids and old ladies can peek in and say things like, "I'd rather watch a monkey." Call this a virtual writer in residence experience. I'm staying home. Besides gas is too expensive and I respect the environment too much to go off to a luxurious accommodation in a warmer city in North (or South) America (or Europe). Truth is, nobody invited me to write in some historic mansion, but I really am committed to reducing greenhouse gases. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Polar bears really are cute.
Beginning Monday, July 7, I'll be officially on vacation from my regular job as a school principal and I'll clear off the bills on my desk to transform this space into a writing studio. With one book under my belt, I'm anxious to continue with several projects that I've only dabbled with on rare weekends when I haven't been entirely exhausted over the past ten months.
Without the hassles of customs and the awkwardness of buying a swanky new swimsuit, I can write away right away.
I can't wait!
Click on the cover image to find out more about Gregory Walters' book, Fouling Out!
About Me
- GREGORY WALTERS
- I love to write! Unfortunately, many of my ideas come as I am driving or when I am desperately trying to get some sleep. I live on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia. People think it is an island since you can only get here by plane or ferry, but it is part of the mainland. I am an elementary school principal and a passionate advocate of children's books. I believe we need to have genuine conversations with kids about their reading interests and listen to their views on novels, blogs, magazines, comics and other materials. The social aspect of reading is vital. Don't we all love to talk about a book or an article that excites, amuses, mystifies or annoys us? Let kids talk! (That means we may have to toss out some of those well crafted teacher questions.) When I am not working, writing or playing with my dogs, I enjoy swimming, tennis, reading--usually kids' books--and surfing the Internet. I would have added jogging, but I don't really enjoy that. I just do it. I thought of gardening, too, but in truth I am a lazy gardener. If a weed flowers, I leave it. I also do not feel the urge to protect my plants from slugs and deer. My hostas hate me for that.
