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What is Canadian Literature? young offenders. Fifteen years ago I How do you define it? would not have been able to get Canadian litera- these books published. ture is a very 3. Where does your writing fit broad area. In gen- within the context of Cana- eral, I define any- dian Literature? thing written by a Canadian as Cana- Though Canadian literature has dian literature, moved away from its focus on Canadian history and landscape, 2. You have been books written by Canadian au- writing novels for thors do not loose their appeal young adults just because they for almost are set in Canada. LESLEY CHOYCE IS A WRITER, A POET, A MUSICIAN two decades. AND A SURFER. HIS NOVELS FOR YOUNG ADULTS As long as the story In this time, OFTEN DEAL WITH REAL AND RELEVANT SUBJECTS is universal, it will what devel- get the attention of opments and young people. There changes have you seen? is no such thing as Canadian litera- ture anymore, only literature written When I first started writing books for by Canadians. young adults many of the subjects that I wanted to write about were 4. Do you have a favourite Cana- considered taboo. Today, my most dian YA author? If yes, why are recent •novels deal with gritty sub- they your favourite? j ects like death, murder, rape and I like Farley Mowat because he un-.

stands the value of telling want my stories and writ- I write characters that are a good story. He is a ing to be my own. interesting to me. Some strongly opinionated are abnormally smart, like 5. Your novels for young writer and is unabashedly Martin in my book Shoul- adults tackle all sorts of who he is. I admire these der the Sly while others qualities in l an author. As subjects that range from are quirky, or funny, or music to the environ- or me V for contemporary Cana- incredibly -:,omplex. I do as'Wd KnO*,, dian YA authors, I would ment. How do you en- research and talk to teens 07- have to say that I don't sure that your subjects to make sure my charac- will appeal to a younger ling Through read many of them. I ters are believable. Crkkis': ifax:: don't want to be influ- audience? ac enced by other writers, I 12

Questions and Answers With Lesley Chowe 0 1

6. Were you an avid fiction book. When I was people are exposed to the reader during your younger, I did not choose full depth. and breadth of SHOULDER teenage years? If so to read books by Cana- Canadian . writing . for did you read books by dian authors. young adults, Often they THE SKY Canadian authors? are only given a limited. 7. It is often difficult to selection by their was a I read a lot when I get young adults to teacher in school. Cana-. teenager. I read science read books by Cana- dian literature. in hi. h fiction and fantasy nov- dian authors. They school should .. still .be els, which is interesting think they are boring. mandated as part of the don't often because I Can you think of a way curriCUlum, but teenagers' write in these genres. My that Canadian litera- should get to choose the next novel, Living Out- ture can shake this books that they want to side the Lines, is going stigma? read. MARTIN, THE MAIN CHAR to be the closest I have IN SHOULDER:THE It is important that young SKY HAS. JUST LOST. HIS come to writing a science MOTHER

8. Tell me what role, if than to have it on display authors is. : to:: invite:• loci any, you think that the at the public library. It is public library can play a way to expose young ..l4b6.141110its in developing young people to books that they an. exce • t people's interest in Ca- would not otherwise pick up. Books in libraries can nadian YA authors? . go reallyy ar , which The public library has provides a network or always been a lifeline for authors and their ideas to me It is a very valuable ry travel all fover the world. CS institution for promoting One great way for librar- books. There is no better ies to promote Canadian way to promote a book

ite of yours? Or are yot 9. What do you see in tage of the time that we the future for Canadian are in now to continue to most fond of soinethin writing for Young write excellent novels for written earlier? young adults. It is the Adults? . • • My two favorite books are writers job to maintain We are currently in a Shoulder the Sky and T young peoples interest End of the World as golden age of literature YA written by Canadi- for young adults, but my Know It. Both these books ans. concern is over the lon- have great characters and gevity of this age. Lit- J 10.. You havepublished excellent story lines that erature often goes fOur: bOOkS in the last deal with a great range o through cycles and it is year: Hell's Hotel, issues that are relevant for possible that we will see Skate Fte4k;''.The` Book young adults. the downsideo the cur- of Michael, an .* Many thanks to Lesley Choyce rent cycle we are in. It is ning.,,the • Risk. for donating his time and. exper- important to take advan- of thege::bOOks A tise to this YA Hotline Issue.