Linda Hutsell-Manning
Artist Statement
I have always been driven by my imagination. At Cobourg Collegiate West High School in the 1950's, I lived for theatre productions and acting and then much later, at the University of Guelph, discovered writing - creating my own worlds and characters. Returning to the Cobourg area in 1975, I tentatively began writing, my first fiction being published in 1981. When I am working on a book, I move into the story - become the story. The real world fades into shadow. I have a general idea of plot and character but then the chapters often unfold as movie scenes, the characters talking and moving while I type furiously to keep up with them. They go off on tangents I haven’t expected and new characters show up. In the first draft, I let this happen as it will and write until I think I have reached the end. Then the real work begins. I must begin the cold hard job of editing, of deciding what really belongs in the story and what doesn’t. Ten to fifteen drafts later, I am usually satisfied.
Biography
Linda Hutsell-Manning’s publications include juvenile fiction and plays, poetry, short fiction and TV scripts. She has worked as a free-lance journalist; taught creative writing; hosted author readings and promoted her work internationally. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1940, she moved to the Cobourg area at age nine. After graduating from Toronto Teachers’ College, she taught for two years at SS#2 Hamilton Township, a one room school between Cobourg and Port Hope. She has a B.A. from the University of Guelph and began writing full time in 1981. Her Wonder Horn Series includes Jason and the Wonder Horn Coteau Books 2002, Jason and the Deadly Diamonds Coteau Books 2004, Jason and the Portrait Snatchers (recently completed) and Jason and the Vimy Tunnels (work-in-progress). Her literary novel, That Summer in Franklin, is currently taking its chances with agents and publishers. Her short story, "One Friday Night", part of this novel, won Honourable Mention in the Feeefall Fiction Contest and will be published in that magazine in May 2008.