10 Ways to Beat the Winter Weather Blues in Halifax

In all, the winter hasn't been that bad in Eastern Canada...and then March came along and ruined everything. Although, if we didn't have the weather I don't know what would talk about.

"Isn't this awful, I'm ready to move."
"Why did our ancestors settle so early?"
"I think I've got scurvy."
"Did you hear the forecast? We're getting more snow!"

March has finally left, but yes, there is another snow storm coming. I don't know about you, but storm chips aren't the happy cure they used to be (probably because I've eaten my weight in storm chips this year and my cholesterol is in the red zone.)

Anyway, since the only way to get to summer is to keep slogging through this weather, here's a list of substitutes for storm chips that will help ease the winter blues—or at least distract you from it.

10 Ways To Beat The Unending Winter Weather Blues

1. Grab yourself a cinnamon roll from The Old Apothecary Bakery.

2. Stroll through the Central Library, then grab a coffee from Pavia and settle into one of the spacious seating areas bathed in sunlight ont he top floor.

3. Go to a movie! Beauty and the Beast will make your heart full enough to melt away any bitter resentment.

4. Read a good murder mystery set in the summer. Okay, any book set in the middle of a sultry summer would be fine.

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith

A Demon Summer by G.M. Malliet

5. Go outside. Yes, I know this flies in the face of distracting you from the weather, but nature and fresh air do wonders.

6. Hot Yoga! Take a drop in class at Halifax Yoga. "I regret going to yoga," said no one ever. 

7. Do something crafty! Pinterest if full of easy DIY guides. Here are some easy peasy projects to do today.

Remake an old t-shirt into an infinity scarf!

Instantly freshen the air!

Spray glitter paint inside your lamp shade!

8. De-clutter your closet! Oh my nerves, it's time to get rid of all the winter clothes you DIDN'T wear this season.

9. Make a lemon meringue pie. It's sunshine for your mouth. Here's a recipe or just buy the speedy quick from a box version.

10. Buy yourself fresh flowers. Nothing puts a smile on your face faster than a bouquet of blooms.

What are your tips for surviving the winter blues?

Hosting a Writing Workshop For Teens

Last month I had the pleasure of hosting a writing workshop for teens at the gorgeous Halifax Central Library.




halifaxcentrallibrary.ca



halifaxcentrallibrary.ca

Have you been to the Central Library? It's so frickin' spectacular that people (especially the bookish types with particular appreciation for libraries) cry their eyeballs out as they walk around its four levels.

Seriously. It's that bee-u-tee-ful.

The workshop session was small. I had six potential best sellers staring at me, waiting for my wisdom. Luckily there were cupcakes and drinks to provide a distraction.

I introduced myself and gave a speedy recap on how I became published, emphasizing my success on Wattpad and how it gave me the confidence to send my manuscript to a local publisher.

Then I did a couple of polls to get everyone talking. Warning, these kids were total smarty pants and I was blown away by their brain power.

#1. How many of you have written a book?

Everyone raised their hands.

#2. What's the last book you read?

Saint Anything
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
House of Blue Leaves (play)
World of War Craft (the complete series)
Julie of the Wolves
Pretty Little Liars


#3. Which book have you reread the most?

Twilight
The Book Thief
The Fault In Our Stars
Frankenstein
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Warcraft

#4. What's your favourite social media?

Three said Instagram
The other half said Twitter

#5. Is there a book you wished had never been made into a movie?

Percy Jackson
Divergent
The Hobbit

This was a great way to get the teens talking about books and reading. As you can see by their answers this was an eclectic group of thinkers. I loved how they bounced ideas off each other. We talked for at least half an hour.

Next we did a few writing activities.

I asked them to write a six word story and gave them three minutes. Here are a few of the examples.

I'm warning you, don't come any closer.

Butterflies hate dragonflies for one reason.

He wasn't asleep, he was dead.

She smiled then pulled the trigger.

Holy brainiacs! These kids blew me away. What a wicked bunch!  

Then I spoke about the most common pitfalls for a beginning writer; excessive description, lack of a distinct voice, and too much backstory in the first few chapters.

The kids had the most questions about the first issue, so I focused on that and did a quick activity to emphasize the importance of description.

I asked them to think of one of their favourite fictional characters, then I had them list five traits that best described them and the rest of the group would try and guess who they were talking about.

This was a blast! Not only were the characters incredibly varied (Percy Jackson to Elizabeth Bennet) but in every list, none of the kids wrote down a PHYSICAL characteristic.

I used this exercise to point out that the most memorable traits aren't appearances. So never EVER have your character stand in front of a mirror and describe themselves. It's a waste of space and as one teen pointed out, when you're reading along you have an image in your mind so when the author throws in a pair of green eyes or blonde hair it takes you out of the story for a moment.

See? Smarty pants ;)  

As the session drew to a close, I answered any questions they had about publishing. The kids had lots of great insight and were eager to talk about their own projects. We even brain stormed a title for a girl's short story.

I ended the session by giving away a prize and drew a name at random for an autographed copy of Butterflies Don't Lie. Yay!

I hope this helps you plan your own workshop.

Do you have any ideas to share for workshops? What activities worked best for you?