Children’s writer has inside scoop on Merlin the Magician Portra i t • Prof i le
GREGG CHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
themavailable in both French and English, and more she expects will be forthcoming, including new adventures with Merlin and Arthur, the young students at the Witches’ Academy, and also Captain Vamp, along with some innovative ideas just waiting their turn at the keyboard. “Now it’s like I just have all these stories
Everyone knows who Merlin is. The mi- ghtiest magician the world has ever seen or ever will see. Mentor and advisor to King Arthur, he helped to found the Round Table and he had something to do with a sword that was stuck in a stone. But that’s all about
popping out of me,” Lécuyer said. “It’s really a great way for me to unwind.” Lécuyer begins a new story project during the summer months after an idea has had time to per- colate and she’s also done any research re- quired. The amount of research depends
“Merlin is my favourite character,” said the Russell children’s author. “I wanted to make him more accessible to kids.” Merlin and his childhood friend, Prince Arthur, are the main characters in a series of children’s adventure books for young readers
Merlin grown old and white-haired with age and wisdom. What about Merlin during his younger years? For that, ask Joanne Lécuyer. She has some ideas and she shares what she knows about Merlin’s boyhood ad- ventures with her young readers.
Joanne Lécuyer and two of her young fans delve into the world of imagination during an arts and crafts show in Navan.
on the story itself. The books in the Wit- ches’ Academy series required little research work compared to the Merlin books that demanded Lécuyer review what life and times were like inmedieval England. A lot of the inspiration and influence for her writing comes from a love and fond memories of the early Disney movies she used to watch as a child and her own in folklore and other things. Her books average about 10,000 words, plus or minus, and take about two or three months from first draft to final copy. The illustrations are courtesy of her brother, Seth J. Rowanwood, a past winner of the presti- gious Illustrator of the Future competition for science fiction and fantasy illustration.
“Merlin is my favourite character,” said the Russell children’s author. “I wanted to make himmore accessible to kids.” Merlin and his childhood friend, Prince Arthur, are themain characters in a series of children’s adventure books for young readers that Lécuyer, 53, has penned over the years. Based partly on the actual legends and lore of Merlin and his life and times during Britain’s Dark Age period, it also features Lécuyer’s own ideas about what kind of adventures andmischief two young lads – one of whom is gifted withmagic powers –might get into inmedieval England.The books are proving popular and, Lécuyer noted, are suitable for beginning readers to help them stretch their imagination. “I focus on adventure,” she said. “There could be some dangerous situations. But it always gets resolved because the characters think their way out.” Lécuyer’s career as a children’s writer surprised even her. Her job in the real world is with the Auditor General’s department over on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. She never saw herself as a writer, except maybe for her own amusement. “It’s strange,” she said. “I don’t have any children of my own and I didn’t expect to be a writer.” She got into the communications field and, at one point, her real breakthrough as a children’s writer came with the first book in TheWitches’ Academy series she now chro- nicles.That was followed by Captain Vamp, concerning the misadventures of a young vampire boy, and then theMerlin series. All in all, she has five books to her credit, two of Tous les anciens membres du Club Optimiste d’Embrun et leur conjoint sont invités à se joindre à la célébration du 35 e anniversaire de fondation, le samedi 19 septembre, à 19 h. Le tout se déroulera à la Salle des Chevaliers de Colomb. Un collation sera servi au courant de la soirée. Il n’y a pas de souper. Une réponse serait appréciée avant le 1 er septembre. Pour réserver, les intéressés peuvent appeler Élisa- beth au 613-443-2376. Le Club Optimiste d’Embrun a 35 ans
Since she began exercising her own imagination as a children’s writer, Lécuyer averages a book a year and all are available either at Prospero Books in Ottawa, through Amazon.com, or her own website at www. topsybooks.com. In between her writing and her regular job with the federal government, Lécuyer also does school workshops on crea- tive writing, based on her own experience. When she needs to relax, Lécuyer enjoys hiking and travel. She also likes to read, and a current pleasure for her is the Divergent series of young adult science fiction novels, which has given rise to a series of blockbus- ter movies.
She intends to keep on writing. She’d like to see any one of her books adapted for movie or television. But, first and foremost for her is enjoying the chance to tell good, entertaining stories. One time she received a letter fromamother who said her son read one of Lécuyer’s books in two days “and he’s not much of a reader.” For a children’s writer, that is high praise and helps inspire Lécuyer to keep on wri- ting and publishing more stories for more children to enjoy. “It’s a passion,” she said. “It’s something I enjoy doing. I’menjoying doing something that makes kids smile.”
Our Catholic schools always welcome new student registrations. For more information on current programs, and how to register, please visit www.cdsbeo.on.ca or call 1.800.443.4562 School begins Tuesday, September 8 Our schools oer: – Academic excellence in a caring Catholic environment
– Immersion and extended French programs – Specialized secondary learning opportunities –Outstandingextra-curricular activities &athletics programs – A Catholic commitment to social justice
Get the latest info! www.facebook.com/CDSBEO @cdsbeo youtube.com/CDSBEOVideo
BRENT LATON CHAIR | Wm. J. GARTLAND DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs