Marty Chan

It's #PromptMyStory Tuesday. Time for another story starter to help motivate kids to write.

"The turkeys have learned to fly and they're angry about Thanksgiving. Run!"

Smith paid for ads promoting the government's side of the labour dispute with teachers, offered $150/week to cover childcare for Alberta parents, made curriculum worksheets for families to use, and now she's locked out teachers. What part of her actions says she's ready to negotiate with the ATA?

Forever Canadian Official Campaign Website Forever Canadian campaign is a grassroots coalition of Canadians aimed at reinforcing Canadian unity. It is a proactive vehicle to secure Alberta's continued place in Canada.

The goal's within reach if people make the effort to look for the canvassers and signing stations. Here's a list of locations where people can sign. Remember, only in-person signatures count.

www.forever-canadian.ca/sign-the-pet...

You have three weeks to sign the Forever Canadian petition which is a message to Danielle Smith that Albertans don't want to separate. Volunteers are set up in many communities across the province. Use your voice (or in this case, pen) if you believe in unity! #Alberta

Heard that I had to check out HK BBQ Master in Richmond. Glad that I listened. Yum.

It's #PromptMyStory Tuesday! Time for another writing prompt to motivate kids to be creative. Here's this week's idea.

"I overheard my cat talking to the neighbour's dog this morning, and it sounded like there's a master plot to take over the human world." #edusky

You know the students are engaged during a #virtualvisit, when they're lined up at the camera to share their ideas. Today's session was a wild one where I could barely keep up with the kids' ideas.

Loving the fall temperatures. My cats find it too chilly at night and are now sleeping with me. #Caturday

Take the Taproot Survey to see how the candidates align with you We’re excited to launch our tool that helps you find out how the candidates running for mayor and city council in Edmonton align with you on the issues that matter most.

We’re excited to launch our tool that helps you find out how the candidates running for mayor and city council in Edmonton align with you on the issues that matter most. blog.taprootpublishing.ca/2025/09/26/t... #yegvote #yegcc #yeg

Loved doing a math/LA #virtualvisit with a group of eighth graders. The kids were quiet at first, but by the end, they were shouting their guesses.

I'm getting anxious about upcoming school visits in Alberta. Not sure what's going to happen with the labour negotations. If I'm nervous, I can only imagine how teachers feel right now. Sending positive thoughts to all those in the classrooms.

Today, it's been a month since my cataract surgery. Three things I noticed.

1. I can see well in good light; not so much in dim light.

2. Everyone says I look different.

3. I'm amazed at how much crud my glasses blocked.

If you're waiting for the muse to inspire you, there's a good chance she's stuck in traffic, so you'd better start writing without her. #kidlitchat

Favourite moment of today's #virtualvisit was watching the transformation of eighth and ninth graders from "we're too cool for book talks" to "I want to see that play you wrote!" #schoolvisits

And remember that the key to a good presentation is spending most of your time listening and reacting to your audience.

Stick figure illustration of person stepping out of their comfort zone, taking tiny steps toward a goal. The goal is represented by a green patch with purple flowers.

Advice to my younger introverted self who just wanted to stay in my creative hermit-cave & CREATE:

Don't wait 'til after you're published to learn how to do presentations / public speaking / self- & book-promotion. Yes, even YOU can learn, even if these things terrify you right now.

#KidLitChat

Today's adventure in #virtualvisits. I did four sessions for younger kids at an Edmonton school. My favourite moment was watching one kid's mouth drop open when I "teleported" to the school. I'm pretty sure it was the same kid who asked in the Q and A, "How did you teleport to our school?"

It's Tuesday! Time for another #PromptMyStory to movitate kids to be creative. You can write, draw, or tell the story from this writing prompt.

"The room reeked of skunk, but all I could find were roses growing out of the floorboards. What happened here?" #edusky

Well, that was fun. Thanks for the conversation, all. Almost felt like old times on the platform that shall not be mentioned. Have a great week! #KidLitChat

Ha! Did you name your two lifeforms Sam and Ella? #kidlitchat

I'm old school. I use a magazine holder for each project. I slap a sticky on the side so I know what's in it. I put my outline and research notes in the holder. They sit on my desk, daring me to empty them. #kidlitchat

Manuscripts are like dirty dishes. If you leave them unattended too long, eventually, something's going to stink. #kidlitchat

Ha! But if you can win her over, then you know you've got something. #kidlitchat

Ooo! I've been curious about Blender. Will have to carve out some time.

I will bail if it takes me more than five minutes to explain the main story to my wife. If it's not clear enough for me to tell, it's not clear enough for me to write. #kidlitchat

Ha! Circle of life's insecurity. #kidlitchat

If I'm working on a first draft, I try not to let it get cold. Even if I'm not writing, I'll make notes about characters and settings. When I'm waiting for my editor to get me notes, I reread the manuscript at least once a month to keep it alive in my mind. #kidlitchat

I used to compare myself to others, but then I realized they were probably doing the same thing. Made it easier to get over my insecurity to think that everyone was just as insecure as I was. #kidlitchat

A friend of mine taught HS English. He loved it, but the time he spent prepping and marking left little time for anything else. On the bright side, you're getting firsthand research on what teens like. #kidlitchat

Yup! I like having a short piece to work on as well as a longer story so that I can feel like I'm nearly finished something, even if it's not my novel. #kidlitchat