What inspires you?
Last month, I found myself in need of a little inspiration. I sat at my desk, fingers poised above the keyboard, blinking cursor ready to march across the page – and I couldn’t get...
Calgary Hatch Date Contest!
ENMAX has launched a Hatch Date Contest in Calgary! The ospreys in the nest near the Calgary Zoo have laid 3 eggs and if you can guess the date that one of them will...
Osprey Nests Around the World
If you are looking for truly unscripted reality television, check out an osprey nest cam. Family squabbles, sibling rivalry, murderous intruders, and first flights are all high drama in the osprey world. Nest cams...
Waiting in Anticipation
It’s early May, and all over the northern hemisphere, ospreys are starting their families. They’ve spent some time sprucing up the nursery, lining the nest with soft materials like grass, and females should be...
Nest Building, Osprey-style
It’s late April, and all over the northern hemisphere ospreys are arriving at their summer homes after a long migration. Males and females usually arrive separately and whoever gets to the nest first begins...
Is that bird wearing a backpack?
You have probably seen birds with bands on their feet. These tiny metal bracelets may be colored and labeled with letters and numbers, all of which can tell scientists a lot about the bird,...
Ospreys are on the Move
How many kilometers do you expect your car will log in the next 10 years? 100,000? 200,000? More? Compare that to an osprey, which may fly more than 250,000 km in its lifetime as...
A nestcam on Kauai
What bird eats mostly squid, can live more than 50 years, and may be able to sleep while flying? The Laysan Albatross, that’s who! While we wait for the ospreys to return to their...
What is a Crystal Kite?
The annual Crystal Kite Award is a peer-given award that recognizes great books by SCBWI members. Fifteen awards are given out in regions around the world, and Canada is one of these. In total,...
Students at St Williams School Rock!
I love going into schools — students remind me that reading is fun and creating is magical. When life at the keyboard becomes tedious, visiting with students, particularly Division 1, remind me why...
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Dr. Seuss is likely the best-selling children’s author in the world. His simple, inviting rhymes tend to linger in dusty memories for decades, springing forth with a few quick words. Come on now, I’m...
A New Book in 2016!
After 15 years of writing, I have learned that the best news doesn’t arrive in the mail. Self-addressed stamped envelopes never contain anything more than rejection. The words I hope for – we’d like to...
The Canada Jay gets my vote for Canada’s national bird!
I know what you’re thinking – Yer daft, McDowell. There is no Canada Jay! But there was, once upon a time, before the bird’s official English name became more commonly used. Gray Jay is...
Last year was a little buggy
It’s not often a book makes me itchy. In fact, it’s only happened twice. I knew I was in for a bit of discomfort when I began researching material for a book about lice. ...
Reflect, Aspire, and Strategize for 2015
Writers make a lot of resolutions. I like to take two kicks at the can, making resolutions in September (when I get my peace and quiet and writing time back), and in January (when...
Who have YOU met on the internet?
If you look carefully, you can find some fascinating, helpful people through the internet. While writing Dirty Jobs: Coal Miner (published by Weigl, 2014), I was challenged to find accurate, reliable details about modern...
Have you finished reading Ospreys in Danger? Here’s another quiz!
Have you finished the whole book? Congratulations! Now you are ready to take the second quiz – 20 questions for Chapters 4 to 8. And if you would like to share your thoughts about...
Dreaming of ospreys…
Reading a favourite story at bedtime helps push away the stress of the day, whether you are 6 or 60 years old. Sweet dreams, Kieran!
Marketing Your Book: Next SCBWI meeting November 13
It can be a struggle to be heard over the white noise of “buy my book!” promotion when launching a book online or building a virtual visibility event. On Thursday, November 13, Angela Ackerman will present...
Are you reading Ospreys in Danger? Take this quiz!
If you have finished reading Chapter Three of Ospreys in Danger, here’s a little quiz to see how much you remember. The very first line of the book is “I love the smell of...
The Joys of Feedback and Revision with Frieda Wishinsky October 16
Honest – revision and feedback can be joyful, with a little help from your friends. At some point, we all get a little too close to our own work and have trouble seeing it...
Can wolves change the behavior of rivers?
Wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone Natural Park in 1995. The result was an amazing impact on deer and elk populations, as well as birds, bears, rabbits and mice — even forests and rivers. Really? Wolves...
Can an eagle swim??
Short answer: Not very well. An eagle’s breast stroke may be sufficient to get it to land that is not too far away, but Michael Phelps’ record is safe. It had never occurred to...
