Kevin Sylvester's Blog, page 23

I often get asked about how I research the Neil Flambe bo...

I often get asked about how I research the Neil Flambe books. Book #2 - Neil Flambe and the Aztec Abduction - takes place in Mexico City and I visited there in 2007 with the Southam Fellows (while at the idyllic Massey College). The restaurant that sits next to garbage dump in the book is based on a real place we visited. It's a restaurant that helps young poor families cook healthy meals for their kids, and it's also joined to a school that teaches life skills, computer skills and English. It was a thriving source of community amid a not-so-great part of the city... and was partially paid for through CIDA (yay Canada!)

My friend Rob Warner took this pic during our trip. It's one of the moms at the restaurant and her daughter.

I was extremely honoured and moved recently to receive an...

I was extremely honoured and moved recently to receive an honourary degree from my alma mater, The University of St. Michael's College at UofT.

I'm not sure how I rated being honoured alongside Anthony Lacavera and Rod McEwan, but here's my degree nonetheless.

And, it's in LATIN!

Another week of fun doodling for the great Blown Covers b...

Another week of fun doodling for the great Blown Covers blog. The theme was Cats and Dogs and here are my silly submissions.

And....

Whirlwind

Just got back from a great trip to New York City. I took my little Flat Neil Flambe along for the ride. Here's Neil with the Statue of Liberty.

You can also print and take Neil along on your next trip and I'd LOVE to see where he ends up.

Get the printable Neil here.

I've always thought the Neil Flambe´ books would make a n...

I've always thought the Neil Flambe´ books would make a nice read on an airplane (and like many authors, I secretly look through the stacks for my book at the airport). Well, lo and behold, here are the first three Neil Flambe´ books all lined up and ready to travel at Toronto's Pearson Airport! (Spotted by my goddaughter).

Taiko Drum roll please........Presenting the cover for Ne...

Taiko Drum roll please........
Presenting the cover for Neil Flambe #4 - Neil Flambe and the Tokyo Treasure.
Due out in October!

I do a lot of school visits and the students always ask h...

I do a lot of school visits and the students always ask how I write and draw every day.

The answer is routine and discipline... and always being ready for inspiration. My day is very regimented. I start each day with a coffee and the newspaper. I make my own cappuccino. (Here's this morning's in my prized Little Nemo mug)



Then I go write until 11, when I grab an apple.

Then I write until lunch. Lunch is spent watching the Food Network (research) or Jon Stewart and Colbert (also research).

Then I'm back upstairs by one, writing or drawing. I don't have word counts. Instead I try to make each day a "volume"business. Just keep going until your back spasms. If my writing is stalled, I draw and vice versa. I don't have a goal for each day, although I can proudly say this approach has had me on deadline for four years now.

Second cup of coffee is at 4. Greet the kids, get after-school snacks served.... then (especially if I'm on deadline) back upstairs until dinner, or prep-time for dinner.

Then it's usually a mix of family time or back upstairs.

Sleep around 11, with the New York Times crossword app. Then fitful slumber with a notebook bedside my pillow to write down the snippets of story ideas or dialogue that come at me at the most inopportune times (read, 4am.)

Sleep, wake, repeat.

A few more Silver Birch pics to share. I illustrated the ...

A few more Silver Birch pics to share. I illustrated the non-fiction Silver Birch winner Don't Touch that Toad. Cathy Rondina wrote the amazingly funny text, so when we presented she talked and I drew on my shirt.

And here's a smiling me with the award. Thanks to David Carpenter for the pics!

What a blast in Thunder Bay. The librarians up there held...

What a blast in Thunder Bay. The librarians up there held their first Forest of Reading event, and it sold out in days. More than a thousand kids packed the CLE grounds for the big event. Thanks to Rebecca Upjohn for this pic of me giving them some food advice. 1. Don't listen to your parents. 2. Listen to your parents.

Amazing Day

The forest of reading event is the best event an author can dream of. I wrote an essay about it for the National Post, and had another chance to live it today.

I was co-winner of the Silver Birch for non-fiction with Cathy Rondina for the totally fun book. Don't Touch that Toad. Here's a pic of me with the award.

And Neil Flambe #2 was an Honour Book (runner-up) for the fiction award! David Skuy won for his great book Undergrounders.

Wow.

Thanks

see everyone next year?