Catherine Austen

NaNoWriMo on the Slow Track

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Catherine Austen

I posted a motivational blurb on the SCBWI Canada East website today, about slogging it through the last days of November’s novel-writing challenge.

I have never actually made the NaNoWriMo journey, meaning I’ve never done a start-to-finish draft in the month of November. I’ve started books, and I’ve finished books, but never both in November.

But I’m really fond of the whole idea and how it motivates so many people–because who couldn’t use a little more motivation?

My first children’s novel, Walking Backward, began as a NaNoWriMo effort.
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Inktober for those afraid to Draw

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Catherine Austen

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It’s the first day of Inktober. Illustrators know this. The rest of us might not — but we should, all of us. Because Inktober is awesome. And it’s for everyone.

Inktober began in 2009, by artist Jake Parker, as a challenge to improve drawing skills and practices. The gist is simple: you make an ink drawing every day of the month. 31 days, 31 drawings. And you can share it all online.

Inktober is, obviously, intended for artists. But anyone who can make a mark on a page is welcome to participate. Doodlers, calligraphers, even writers. Read More

Writing Spaces

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Catherine Austen

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My tiny home office was featured in this week’s “Writing Spaces,” a regular blog post from The New Quarterly.

This is a fabulous weekly feature from TNQ that offers a peek into the working spaces of each issue’s writers, along with inspiring anecdotes and tips from the authors. Definitely a blog worth following.

My writing space is among the first of many to be featured in the coming weeks from authors whose work is in Issue #147 of The New Quarterly, released this summer.

My story, On Sulphur Mountain, is one of eight fiction pieces in the current issue. (There are also great essays and poems.) Subscribe and get digital access to the magazine or a year’s worth of gorgeous print journals.)

Feel free to leave a reply here describing your workspace and what you love best about it. (I love the light in mine.)

Have a great weekend.

A Smattering of Evans

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Catherine Austen

Immersed in Student Writing

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Catherine Austen

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*A stage full of awesome authors at the Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors Award Ceremony this week.*

This Tuesday, I had the pleasure of calling the names of twelve young writers whose short fiction won places in the Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors Contest. What a pleasure to be one of this year’s judges and to read excerpts from the fantastic mix of winning stories: humour, drama, sci-fi, horror, and sad, sad contemporary realism. What talented young writers.

I’ve been immersed in student writing this season. Read More

The Art of Story: SCBWI Canada East Conference

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Catherine Austen

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*SCBWI Canada East banner, artwork by Farida Zaman*

I always look forward to my regional SCBWI conference. This year it’s especially exciting because I’ll be giving a workshop myself. My topic: revision.

I used to dread revisions. I loved drafting; I loved polishing; but I loathed the grunt work in between the two.

I spent the past year revising a middle-grade animal adventure novel, transforming it from something cute and fun into something with heart and soul. This novel taught me to love revision. It’s not all grunt work. It’s discovery and revelation. And it’s what I’m most looking forward to in my next work.

I can’t wait to pass on my newfound love and all I’ve learned about revision to the SCBWI Canada East conference-goers.

*Art of Story illustration by Alice Carter*

If you can’t face the topic of revision–or if you yearn for revision and so much more–you’ll want to check out the full lineup of workshops and presentations at the Art of Story conference. There are workshops hosted by editors, agents, authors, and illustrators, with topics ranging from craft to marketing. There’s a first-page critique session open to everyone, plus one-on-one manuscript critiques for those who register early. There’s even a party to kick it all off.

Check out the full conference schedule and the speaker lineup on the SCBWI Canada East website.

If you are a Canadian children’s writer, established or aspiring, come join us in Ottawa from April 27-29, to hone your craft, have some fun, and feel the love of the Canadian kidlit community.

Hope to see you at the Art of Story.