Daytripping Spring 2023

Lake Huron
MI
ONTARIO
NY
Inspired to Write!
By Anne Theresa Halsall • Author & Storyteller
Several years ago, my dear friend,
Barbara, asked me to consider doing
creative writing with her ten year old
son, Will.
I wasn’t sure. Yes, I’ve written for
many years: newspaper columns and
interviews, magazine articles, wedding
write-ups, brochures for historical
locations and, of course, my daily
journal as well as a dream journal.
I did not however, have a university
degree in English. I told my friend that
I didn’t feel comfortable teaching Will
grammar and sentence structure etc.
Barbara laughed. “Pfft, I don’t want
that anyway. He gets that in school.
I want you to inspire him. He’s got a
super imagination and so do you. I’m
sure that you could help him get his
feelings and ideas on to the page.” As
soon as I heard those words my mind
started reeling with ideas. I told her I’d
be happy to co-create with Will.
Since that day, I’ve had dozens
of children at my kitchen table. We
gather together and write like mad.
This never ceases to delight and amaze
STRATHROY, MOUNT BRYDGES, LONDON & DELAWARE
me. I discovered that if I joined in and
took part in the exercises and read my
work aloud, it not only assisted them,
it helped me with whatever writing
projects I was working on otherwise.
We bonded. We were excited to
write, excited to share. I was in awe of
their imaginations. Ideas came easily,
one thought flowing to another. Space
ships, talking flowers, aliens, parents,
siblings, emotions, book ideas, short
story ideas, animal adventures, fantasy,
non-fiction, romance, you name it.
We decided we could write about the
lightbulb hanging above our heads
if we chose to. We could write about
anything!
During the years that followed,
I clearly saw, without a doubt, that
if we allow our children to express
themselves on paper at an age that is
still open to the possibility of magic,
their lives can flourish.
I watched the children develop
confidence and self-esteem. I saw
surprise and delight on their faces as
they wrote with great glee about things
The
IN-BOX
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Children Learn What They Live
If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, He learns justice.
If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.
they’d never thought about writing.
Ideas that flowed easily as I let them
choose words and phrases from “Aine’s
magical word boxes.” As I waved goodbye
at the end of a session, I witnessed
them hurrying to the car, waving their
notebook excitedly, eager to share with
a parent or caregiver. And I will say that
I have enjoyed many a devoted hug
from a young student, who stated they
couldn’t wait for next time.
That’s the purpose of my “classes.”
Creating. Creating and co-creating.
Inspiring those young, eager minds,
watching them build their ideas on the
page, and then stepping away from the
writing table a little more confident, a
little more sure of the importance of
their contribution to the world.
What a reward I feel from doing this
work—this play! I thank my dear friend,
Barbara, for inspiring me to inspire her
son. It just simply grew from there. I
am grateful for this blessing in my life.
Barbara’s son, Will, my first student,
is now twenty-two years old. We wrote
together for seven years. Oh, our
time together changed for sure. As he
grew, so did his writing. We ended up
critiquing each other’s novels! What
a joy. Will is now the proud owner of
a successful voiceover company. I am
proud.
A&
M Garden
Centre
Ideas for all your indoor
and outdoor decorating needs!
• Flowers • Trees • Shrubs
• Vintage Collectables & Gi Decor
• Crystals & Gemstones
• Planters & Window Boxes
ICE CREAM
BOOTH!
Open
7 Days
A Week!
Over 17,000 sq. ft.
1175 Hyde Park Road
London, ON • 519-471-2835
memorylaneantiques.ca
Open 7 days Including Holidays
Over 14,000
people...
should ...You
too!
4171 Col. Talbot Rd.
LONDON (Lambeth)
519-652-3539
www.amgardencentre.ca
Visit one of Canada’s largest secondhand bookstores
240 DUNDAS STREET
LONDON, ONTARIO
N6A 1H3
Heads up to drivers:
Queen St and Wellington St
are going to be worked on
most of the construction season.
519-432-7277
STORE HOURS*
Monday to Saturday
10 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Closed Sundays
*hours may be extended certain days
due to street events &fairs but please
refer towebsite for up-to-date hours.
BOOKS • MAPS • PRINTS • POSTCARDS • CURIOSITIES
Welcome to Attic Books - one of Canada’s largest antiquarian and secondhand
bookstores. You can find us on London’s new flex street, Dundas
Place, a few doors west of Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery, Canada’s largest
ceramic gallery. We have three floors of books, maps, prints, ephemera,
postcards and all sorts of curiosities that appeal to readers, scholars and
seasoned collectors alike. The atmosphere is spacious, bright, relaxed and
professional, not to mention architecturally beautiful, with its original tin ceilings,
hardwood maple floors and all the charisma of a Victorian building. This, along
with the help of our friendly and knowledgeable staff, will ensure that every visit
to Attic Books will be memorable.
Let’s be book buddies!
Follow usat@atticbooksca
We buy, sell and trade
as well as provide appraisals
by appointment.
Check our buying guide under
Services onour website.
We look forwardtoseeingyou soon!
WWW.ATTICBOOKS.CA
Check out our website to browse
through some of our rare and
quirkier stock and to find out about
new arrivals, store sales and events.
Upcoming Dundas Place events:
EARTHFEST LONDON
April 22, 2023
12-5 PM
PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET
April 23, 2023
11 AM-4 PM
Spring 2023 Chuck Norris can play violin with a piano.
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