Monique Polak

Readings

I begin my readings by sharing a little about how I came to be a children’s writer. Although it was my dream to write for children, it took me several years to break into the market. I think it’s a useful story to share with young people – I encourage them to follow their own dreams and to never give up, even in the face of obstacles.

Depending on the age of my audience, I read either from my reluctant reader titles or from my more edgy YA fiction. Then I tell the audience a little about how I work: how I come up with an idea for a book, how I develop characters, plot out the story, and revise the manuscript. I generally also talk a little about whatever project I am currently working on – and I might read from that project, too. I always leave time for questions.

Workshops

I try to customize my workshops to meet the needs of the young people with whom I’m working. Overall, I try to give young writers a kind of toolbox with which they can work. As an avid journal keeper, I might share my tips for JOURNAL WRITING, a technique which helps keep writers like me limber. I can also do a unit on OBSERVATION. Writers need to tune in to the world around them, but it’s sometimes difficult to know what to include in a story. In terms of CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, I stress that an author needs to know her characters as well—or perhaps better -- than she knows herself. I share my tricks for developing well-rounded characters. DIALOGUE not only helps propel a story forward, it also lets readers learn about characters. I use a variety of hands-on exercises designed to help students get comfortable with each of these tools.

Biography

Monique Polak is the author of seven novels for young adults. She also teaches English Literature and Humanities at Marianopolis College in Montreal. One of her courses is called Writing for Children. Monique is also a freelance journalist whose work appears regularly in The Montreal Gazette and in Canwest publications across the country.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS:
I have also done sessions for teachers and librarians. In these, I focus on techniques to help get young people reading and writing. I am especially interested in the link between reading and writing.

I have also done sessions for the general public about working with a journal as a way to tap into our creativity.