Writer Wednesdays: Author Interview with Christine Jonas-Simpson + Impostor Syndrome Pep Talk

Artsy Mondays: Interview with Artist-Photographer Christina Leslie & a lesson on Perseverance

Writer Wednesday: Author Interview with Steven Sandor

Artsy Mondays: Artist & Advocate Interview with Dawn Saunders Dahl

Friday Musings: Below the Moon & Author Life, the Lowdown

Be Encouraged! Dreams do Come True

The Gift of Literacy: Reflections from the life of World War Two Survivor Eva Olsson

Yesterday I visited the school where my husband is a vice principal. I wanted to see him, true, but the main reason I popped in was to hear Eva Olsson speak. She was visiting Edmonton to present to students in the Sturgeon School Division, traveling from her home city of Toronto, Canada.

Eva is a World War Two survivor and her stories were arresting. She used her experience with the “Nazi bullies” to implore the children in the audience to stop using the word hate and instead treat each other with compassion and respect.

Eva Olsson Alexis Marie Chute Writes 02 blog

She told the story of how her family was lined up with thousands of other Jews and separated. One group went to the gas chambers. The other group was put into work camps. Eva was just a teenager. Her mom was separated from her, sent to be murdered, and that was the last time they saw each other.

Eva’s father went to a work camp and died of starvation. The photo Eva showed was of a long line of bodies so thin that their stomachs caved in and the people were literally just skin and bone. It was like a collection of arching ribcages. The image made me shudder.

Eva Olsson Alexis Marie Chute Writes 01 blog

Eva and other girls her age were sent to another work camp. They slept outside on the grass – even when it was raining – and spent winter nights in a mud hole like pigs. They were all given wooden clogs, not in their size, and had no socks. Their feet were covered in blisters.

 

“May a new love for humanity be born out of the horrors we have known.” From the Scroll of Remembrance at Bergen-Belsen

Eva spoke of the power of hate to do such horrible things to other people. She also critiqued the bystanders of Europe who let this horrible tragedy of genocide take place. Her message was that bystanders – even those of today – that watch evil happen and do nothing are just as guilty.

I felt incredibly proud to hear such morality praised and advocated for – and also a little uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels our culture is very grey. We don’t want to upset others with our values so we water them down. Tolerance is at the forefront. Eva’s message actually felt wonderfully refreshing! There is right! There is wrong! We must be resolute in our convictions.

At one point she asked all the junior high kids: “Who does NOT like going to school?”

A large number of hands went up.

(Being a bookworm and an education-addict, I cringed when I saw the hands.)

What was Eva’s response?

SHAME ON YOU!” she said sternly.

Eva did not go to school as a child or youth. She could not read or write. This embarrassed her greatly. She so badly wished to get an education! (She now holds a PhD so I believe her wish did come true.)

This is one of Eva’s messages that will linger on with me forever.

I don’t want my children to take their education for granted. It is a gift.

 

“I cannot live in the past, but I must life with it. Perhaps writing my story will weaken the hold the past has had on me.” – Dr. Eva Olsson LLD (Hon.), FRCPSC

 

When I was younger and in grade school, I was bullied relentlessly. It wounded my spirit deeply and I too would have put up my hand saying I would rather be anywhere else than in the classroom. At the time, I didn’t appreciate school. Who does as a youth in North America where we don’t have to fight for it?

I hope to cultivate a love of education in my kids. The ability to read and write opens many doors, cultivates the imagination, allows for understanding and compassion for others, and creates a means for self-expression.

As both an avid reader and an author, I cannot imagine my life without the gifts of education and literacy. These are things I fight for in my life – not in grand ways, but they are priorities that I protect none the less. It can be as simple as turning off the TV to read a book. Choosing to use proper English even when texting. Reading to my children before I tuck them into bed even when I myself am oh so very tired.

I celebrate the stories my daughter writes on every piece of paper in the house. Her spelling is a mystery most days, but she is learning. She is hungry for it. What a gift! What a precious ability that we have which I hope we never, ever lose sight of. What a blessing!

I am so very thankful that Eva Olsson reminded me of this lesson – of the critical importance of literacy.

Eva’s life is inspiring. To read more about her, please click here.

Christmas Article on Socks Generates Hate Mail

It’s funny what will make some people mad. It differs from person to person. While I’d like to believe that I’m always a patient person, but there are definitely some things that fare up in anger inside of me. Typically, though, I do not lash out at others with these feelings.

I don’t think I’ve ever written a piece of hate mail in my whole life.

I was brought up with the belief, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

 

Edmonton Woman Magazine, November/December Issue

Edmonton Woman Magazine, November/December Issue

While there are absolutely times when people need to speak up – against terrorism, injustice, abuse… the list goes on – I never thought SOCKS would be a point of contention with one of my readers. Who would have thought a light-hearted article on socks at Christmas would push a person over the edge and make them send a nasty email to the writer?

Here is my Christmas article in the current issue of Edmonton Woman Magazine (November/December). Click the image to enlarge. You can also read it on the magazine’s site by clicking here.

Alexis Marie Uncensored Socks for Christmas Edmonton WOman Magazine blog

After re-reading the article again after receiving the hate mail, I had to pause. My first thought was: “did this person and I read the same thing?”

Socks? Seriously? Don’t we have bigger problems in the world to speak-up about other than socks?

If you read the article just now, what do you think? Am I a bad, ungrateful, spoiled person who doesn’t care about others? You know what, don’t answer that. I know who I am. I love and celebrate the person I have become over the years. At the end of the day, what others think about me doesn’t matter – not one tiny bit.

In the spirit of Christmas, in a season of love, generosity and kindness, I forgive that angry person for sending hate out into the world. Life is too short to let that negativity fester. AND – I hope s/he receives a lovely pair of socks for Christmas.

Thanks for reading!

Merry Christmas!

 

– Alexis Marie Chute

 

Click here to read my other articles for Edmonton Woman magazine. 

Edmonton Woman Magazine Column

I want to share with you my July/August column:

Alexis Marie Uncensored: Riding High

Edmonton Woman Magazine

The article is about my summer training for the Grizzly Ultra Marathon. I sprained my ankle and worried I wouldn’t be able to race. Advised by my amazing physiotherapist, I took up cycling . What I discovered was a wonderful way to stay fit while also having fun.

The article shares one – slightly embarrassing – incident where I ventured out on a long bike ride to a dinner party and forgot a water bottle!

If you love a funny story, cycling – and wine – I bet you will enjoy this read. 

Disclaimer: I do not advice performing any sport or physical activity while under the influence of alcohol – although a wine buzz is preferable to dying of dehydration… but I will leave that decision up to you.

Happy summer & happy reading!

– Alexis Marie Chute

Edmonton Woman Magazine Cover Alexis Marie Chute July Aug 2015

Edmonton Woman Magazine Alexis Marie Chute Column July Aug 2015

A little bit about Edmonton Woman Magazine:

Edmonton Woman Magazine exists to redefine what it means to be an “exceptional” woman. We consider our publication to be more than just a women’s magazine; it is a source of inspiration, knowledge, and connectivity for the every day woman. Our goal is to share the stories of women in the capital region of Alberta who are changing their lives, families, communities, and cities by pushing the boundaries of what is ordinary. At Edmonton Woman Magazine, we believe that exceptional is far more than wearing the perfect shade of lipstick or sticking to the latest trending diet. To us, it isn’t a word reserved for Fortune 500 CEOs or Hollywood superstars. It is the title of every woman who contributes in her own way to making the world around her a better place. Whether it’s the craft connoisseur mom who keeps her kids engaged in fun, creative pastimes, or the small business owner who keeps customers coming back with smiling service – we believe her story is worth telling. Because as women, nothing motivates us more than the single thought: “If she can do it, maybe I can too!”.

(From EWM website)


 

Check out other articles written by Alexis Marie Chute by clicking here.

If you want to read other Edmonton Woman Alexis Marie Chute column articles, click here.


 

For more pages by Alexis Marie, visit:

Alexis Marie Art

Wanted Chosen Planned

Alexis Marie Chute


A Day in the Life of the Writer

I think people envision writers sitting around in over sized leather armchairs, writing in pen by a dim incandescent light, cigar smoke wafting around in lazy curls. Or maybe the idealized vision includes a reserved seat in a coffee shop where the writer gorges on lattes and people watching, clicking their laptop ferociously as inspiration strikes. Or maybe the writer is traveling in the Sahara. Or scratching notes on a pocket pad of paper as bullets whiz by and the thunder of tanks surround them.

Or the vision of the writer includes the best-seller status. I recently heard an aspiring writer say he wants to write the next Harry Potter series. I chuckled to myself, while wishing the writer all the luck in the world. I did wonder though, what is that person chasing? Is it the long hours of writing, the even longer hours editing and the painstaking process of bringing the book(s) to publication? Or is the writer hungry for the title, the gold stamped cover, the royalty cheques, and the fame?

ALEXIS MARIE CHUTE EDITING WRITING WRITER RED PEN PHOTOGRAPH

 

What does the life of a writer really entail?

There are perks for sure, but the writing life is actually bursting with hard work, rejection and administrative chores that none of those daydreaming about the idealistic writer actually take into account.

I wake up by an alarm and get my kids to school. I make lists of things I need to accomplish – and typically writing is only the half of it. I answer emails and phone calls, and handle the business, legal and insurance needs for all my projects. In my daily life, I do an exorbitant amount of research, planning, strategizing, and networking – all so I can be a writer and do what I love. I work in the evenings. I am always collecting ideas. I dream about my characters or a speech I am to give – until my alarm wakes me up again.

It’s a fabulous life!

The life of the writer is not glamorous… at least not yet from my experience. I’ll let you know if that changes. Like any passion; there are good days and bad days, perks and pitfalls, and sacrifices that need to be made to get to the next level.

If you aspire to be the next J. K. Rowling, good luck to you! (I am not being sarcastic.) Roll up your sleeves and get to work! I look forward to reading your book one day – and sharing mine with you.

Happy writing!