Writing

These posts relate to Tim Irvin’s writing projects

green heron

Max Finkelstein and the Talmud of Paddling

I was out jogging in the Ottawa arboretum this afternoon, when I spotted a green heron standing on a log in a small pond trying to eat a frog. I don’t see green herons very frequently, and this one was much more concerned with the frog than with me, so I was able to watch the action at close range. It was a nice surprise since my legs were feeling quite heavy and I was happy for a break from running.

While I stood there a couple dogs came by followed by a guy with his arm in a sling. I pointed out the heron and we fell into conversation. As it turned out, this guy was Max Finkelstein noted canoeist and writer…

Malcolm Gladwell writes brilliant books, runs fast and he just might be a nice guy too.

Malcolm Gladwell writes brilliant books, runs fast and he just might be a nice guy too.

I was working on a story recently about the explosion in running’s popularity in the past 30 years. The participation in running events in Canada and beyond is soaring. For example, the number of people running in the Ottawa Race Weekend increased by a whopping 337% between 2000 and 2010. Many races across North America are selling out months in advance of race day. You might say that running has hit a Tipping Point…

Tim Irvin in the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nunavut

And the winner of the 2011 Great Northern Canada Writing Contest is…well, me.

Ah shucks.

My story, Nowhere but North: a Case for Cornbread and Wolverines, took first prize in this years’ contest, hosted by the Northwords Writing Festival. The story was inspired by a fierce appetite and some unexpected events during a seven-week solo canoe trip in Nunavut…

Why we share stories

Recently my old friend Leeyann, whom I had not seen for 10 years, got in touch with me through my website. Besides being a wonderful person, she is a mom these days. It turns out that her two year old son, Thomas, was quite taken with some of the photos on my website, and Leeyann asked if I could send her some prints to hang in his bedroom. I was tickled happy by this idea…

farley-mowat-andrew-fare

I got a letter from Farley Mowat today

Occasionally, when I read a book that I really like I write to the author and tell them so. This has led to some great interactions with authors that I admire.

So after reading Farley Mowat’s most recent book, Otherwise, I jotted down a few words to express my gratitude for the book and explain how and why the stories in the book moved me. Then I got ready to put the letter in the mail. Except this time I did things a little differently.