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Author spotlight: Daphne Greer

Daphne Greer is an award-winning writer of young adult novels, including Maxed Out (Orca, 2012); Jacob’s Landing (Nimbus, 2015); the Maxed Out sequel, Camped Out (Orca, 2017); and her latest novel, Finding Grace (Nimbus, 2018), a finalist for the 2019 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children’s Literature. Currently suffering from a broken wrist, Daphne answered some questions for us while typing with only her left hand. She lives in Newport Landing, NS.

How long have you been writing? What drew you to writing in general and YA in particular?

I’ve been writing for approximately 18 years. I fell into it completely by accident when I was trying to find a book to help a family member understand his brother, who lives with autism. When I couldn’t find one that spoke to his needs, I decided to write a picture book, which later got turned into a chapter book and caught the eye of the American Library Association. Maxed Out is the title of that first book. Why YA? I guess it’s just an easy age to tap into, and it’s full of emotional highs and lows that make for a good story. 

How do you deal with writer’s block? 

When I have writer’s block, I try to get out of my head and allow free will to flow through. I often say a prayer before I write. I find going for a walk really clears my head. While out walking, I talk out loud about my writing problem. I know… a little out there–but usually, by the end of the walk, I have an idea around the block. 

How does living in Nova Scotia influence your writing? 

I find that I’m writing stories that are set in places I’m familiar with. Jacob’s Landing is set in Newport Landing, where I live. Camped Out is set at Big Cove YMCA Camp in Pictou, NS.

Do you have any writing rituals? 

I’m pretty basic. I can write anywhere, anytime. I guess my only ritual is a little prayer that opens up my creative juices, and I try to just take it one moment at a time. I don’t get focused on the outcome. I usually approach every story with a challenge for myself. That challenge is ‘let’s see if I can pull this off….’

Do you remember your first encounter with the Writers’ Fed? 

Yes! I signed up for a writing course with the beloved Norene Smiley. I sat around the table with my little picture book and about 12 other keen adults. After reading and listening to their feedback, I thought, ‘Oh my goodness. What have I got myself into?’ In that moment, I realized that I had a lot to learn. And I had several more weeks to go. So… the next day, I thought about the feedback and started a re write. I ditched the picture book and turned my initial idea into a chapter book. I’ll never forget what it felt like when Norene said, “I feel like giving you a hug because you listened to the feedback….”  I felt I could pull it off. Kind of like the little engine that could.

What’s the most interesting place wgere you have presented to children? 

When I was nominated for a Silver Birch Award, I gave several presentations in Toronto. That was a pretty neat experience. I signed my first arm that trip. 

What was the last great book you read?

The last book I read was No Fixed Address by Susin Nelson. I love her writing style. 

Do you have a guilty pleasure? 

Guilty pleasure: chocolate. Always chocolate.

What are you working on now? 

I just finished my latest draft, Jacob’s Dilemma. Its a sequel to Jacob’s Landing. It’s in the hands of my editor right now. Fingers (and toes) crossed that she likes it.

– with Linda Hudson, WFNS Arts Education Officer 

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Simultaneous Submissions

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) administers some programs (and special projects) that involve print and/or digital publication of ‘selected’ or ‘winning’ entries. In most cases, writing submitted to these programs and projects must not be previously published and must not be simultaneously under consideration for publication by another organization. Why? Because our assessment and selection processes depends on all submitted writing being available for first publication. If writing selected for publication by WFNS has already been published or is published by another organization first, copyright issues will likely make it impossible for WFNS to (re-)publish that writing.

When simultaneous submissions to a WFNS program are not permitted, it means the following:

  • You may not submit writing that has been accepted for future publication by another organization.
  • You may not submit writing that is currently being considered for publication by another organization—or for another prize that includes publication.
  • The writing submitted to WFNS may not be submitted for publication to another organization until the WFNS program results are communicated. Results will be communicated directly to you by email and often also through the public announcement of a shortlist or list of winners. Once your writing is no longer being considered for the WFNS program, you are free to submit it elsewhere.
    • If you wish to submit your entry elsewhere before WFNS program results have been announced, you must first contact WFNS to withdraw your entry. Any entry fee cannot be refunded.

Prohibitions on simultaneous submission do not apply to multiple WFNS programs. You are always permitted to submit the same unpublished writing to multiple WFNS programs (and special projects) at the same time, such as the Alistair MacLeod Mentorship Program, the Emerging Writers Prizes, the Jampolis Cottage Residency Program, the Message on a Bottle contest, the Nova Writes Competition, and any WFNS projects involving one-time or recurring special publications.

Recommended Experience Levels

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) recommends that participants in any given workshop have similar levels of creative writing and / or publication experience. This ensures that each participant gets value from the workshop⁠ and is presented with information, strategies, and skills that suit their career stage. The “Recommended experience level” section of each workshop description refers to the following definitions used by WFNS.

  • New writers: those with less than two years’ creative writing experience and/or no short-form publications (e.g., short stories, personal essays, or poems in literary magazines, journals, anthologies, or chapbooks).
  • Emerging writers: those with more than two years’ creative writing experience and/or numerous short-form publications.
  • Early-career authors: those with 1 or 2 book-length publications or the equivalent in book-length and short-form publications.
  • Established authors: those with 3 or 4 book-length publications.
  • Professional authors: those with 5 or more book-length publications.

Please keep in mind that each form of creative writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and writing for children and young adults) provides you with a unique set of experiences and skills, so you might consider yourself an ‘established author’ in one form but a ‘new writer’ in another.

For “intensive” and “masterclass” creative writing workshops, which provide more opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback, the recommended experience level should be followed closely.

For all other workshops, the recommended experience level is just that—a recommendation—and we encourage potential participants to follow their own judgment when registering.

If you’re uncertain of your experience level with regard to any particular workshop, please feel free to contact us at communications@writers.ns.ca