Simon Rose is starting his writing residency at Airdrie's Public Library today for the month of November. Rose's residency will include four online presentations and blue pencil editing sessions.
 
 
 
The author of over a dozen children's science fiction and fantasy novels will be on hand to offer help to both established and aspiring writers.
 
"A writer in residence offers his time his or her time for what we call blue pencil sessions," Rose said.  "[This] is where people send in some piece of their own work and have it critiqued and edited."
 
Due to COVID-19 protocols, the blue pencil sessions which are usually held in person will now be done virtually, which isn't always a bad thing, according to Rose.
 
"The writers of these pieces have quite a bit more time with the author in residence than they would if it was in person," he said "We can schedule more time to go through their work and then chat on the phone about that particular piece of work and also offer advice."
 
Rose said that perhaps unsurprisingly writing is what takes up most of his time.
 
"Once I've got the idea, I usually have to start thinking about planning out the story," Rose said.  "I usually have some sort of an outline and character sketches. I would say probably you've got about a paragraph for each chapter of the story."
 
When asked where he finds inspiration for his own novels, Rose said it surrounds him everywhere and all the time.
 
"I've always been a science fiction, fantasy, time travel sort of person," he said.  "I read an awful lot of superhero-type comics when I was growing up. So that's where a lot of my inspirations come from."
 
But science fiction isn't Rose's only passion. With a degree in history, he considers himself a history buff as well.
 
Eric Pottie, the Programming and Customer Engagement Manager, said that being able to offer a writer in residence at the Airdrie Public Library is of great value.
 
"I know Airdrie may feel like a pretty small town sometimes," Pottie said. "There is a lot of people here [who are] early writers, you have professional authors, writers here in the city. We want to make sure that we're able to offer something that gets to everybody."
 
When asked who his favourite author is, Rose said it is too difficult to pick.
 
"I think I am my favourite author," Rose joked. "I don't think I could name a particular one [author],' Rose said. " [It's] the story that would get to me rather than the person who created it."
 
Rose has a degree in history and is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature of West Redding, CT. He is an instructor for adults with the University of Calgary and offers online workshops for both children and adults. His residency will last for one month in November. 
 

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