This past Wednesday, I spent an afternoon in two of the most important real places in Beneath the Surface. Jessica has been waiting (ever so patiently) for my next instalment, but before I could truly finalize it, I knew that I needed to physically put myself in these places. It was, by no means, a waste of gas or time. It was...priceless.
1. Liss's Highschool: Gladstone.
I'd looked at pictures of Gladstone High on the internet, and drove myself up and down the street on Google Street View, but it didn't hold a candle to my experience in the school.
When I walked into the front entrance, I shuddered. I felt like I was walking into my own personal Disneyland, stepping foot into the place I'd been writing about for the last nine months. I had to stop for a moment and take a few deep breaths because I was so excited (getting all the way to Vancouver with two young children just doesn't happen--this particular day was a first for them).
For anyone who doesn't know, Gladstone is a very old school. Sixty years, approximately. And it was important for me to represent this school in my novel with as much authenticity as possible. Today, thanks to the wonderful staff and friendly students I connected with, I found exactly what I needed to do that. To put it simply: You guys rock. :)
I found the office, and a very nice secretary greeted me. When I told her I was writing a book that involved scenes at the school, I think I caught her off guard (it's not everyday a person just walks into a school, unannounced, and wants to snap some photos). However, the secretary then introduced me to Vice Principal Doris, who welcomed me and gave me my golden (pink) ticket to venture around. I left the office, two kidlets in tow, and began my journey around the school. It is certainly old, but I've never seen so much character and life within a building. Not only are the students totally over-the-top friendly, but, as a stranger, I was made to feel completely at home.
The artwork on the lockers, (fashioned by the Grad students, as I was told by a lovely group of young girls sitting in the hall) are really unbeleivable. There are M&M's, Monster's Inc., super heros and much more. Even better, are the gift-wrapped lockers; when it's your birthday, you get your locker decorated, and everyone writes a special well-wish just for you that week. It's a Gladstone tradition, and I definitely plan on including that, as Liss celebrates her birthday during this first novel.
I then visited the cafeteria, the gym, the outdoor fields, the science labs, and poked my head around many open doors that always had a few smiling faces inside.
How would I ever have known such details, had I not visited? It's little things like these that make a school like Gladstone really special. I had hoped to get some better photos of the hallways, but I did promise VP Doris that I wouldn't take pictures of the students; however, just visiting and talking with the students about their experience has made a world of difference to me and my novel.
Thanks Gladstone, for making me feel so welcome. I truly hope my representation in Beneath the Surface doesn't disappoint--and I sincerely apologize to all the Chemistry students that I disturbed when my son had a temper tantrum in the hallway--he only does that at the most inopportune times!!
PS. For those who asked me why I chose Gladstone, I told you that it was because of it's relative (close) distance to John Hendry Park. However, now, I think that it was the other way around : Gladstone chose me. This school couldn't have been a more perfect fit for my story, and I don't want to take credit for any decisions that are just destined to be.
Here are a few photos...
1. Liss's Highschool: Gladstone.
I'd looked at pictures of Gladstone High on the internet, and drove myself up and down the street on Google Street View, but it didn't hold a candle to my experience in the school.
When I walked into the front entrance, I shuddered. I felt like I was walking into my own personal Disneyland, stepping foot into the place I'd been writing about for the last nine months. I had to stop for a moment and take a few deep breaths because I was so excited (getting all the way to Vancouver with two young children just doesn't happen--this particular day was a first for them).
For anyone who doesn't know, Gladstone is a very old school. Sixty years, approximately. And it was important for me to represent this school in my novel with as much authenticity as possible. Today, thanks to the wonderful staff and friendly students I connected with, I found exactly what I needed to do that. To put it simply: You guys rock. :)
I found the office, and a very nice secretary greeted me. When I told her I was writing a book that involved scenes at the school, I think I caught her off guard (it's not everyday a person just walks into a school, unannounced, and wants to snap some photos). However, the secretary then introduced me to Vice Principal Doris, who welcomed me and gave me my golden (pink) ticket to venture around. I left the office, two kidlets in tow, and began my journey around the school. It is certainly old, but I've never seen so much character and life within a building. Not only are the students totally over-the-top friendly, but, as a stranger, I was made to feel completely at home.
The artwork on the lockers, (fashioned by the Grad students, as I was told by a lovely group of young girls sitting in the hall) are really unbeleivable. There are M&M's, Monster's Inc., super heros and much more. Even better, are the gift-wrapped lockers; when it's your birthday, you get your locker decorated, and everyone writes a special well-wish just for you that week. It's a Gladstone tradition, and I definitely plan on including that, as Liss celebrates her birthday during this first novel.
I then visited the cafeteria, the gym, the outdoor fields, the science labs, and poked my head around many open doors that always had a few smiling faces inside.
How would I ever have known such details, had I not visited? It's little things like these that make a school like Gladstone really special. I had hoped to get some better photos of the hallways, but I did promise VP Doris that I wouldn't take pictures of the students; however, just visiting and talking with the students about their experience has made a world of difference to me and my novel.
Thanks Gladstone, for making me feel so welcome. I truly hope my representation in Beneath the Surface doesn't disappoint--and I sincerely apologize to all the Chemistry students that I disturbed when my son had a temper tantrum in the hallway--he only does that at the most inopportune times!!
PS. For those who asked me why I chose Gladstone, I told you that it was because of it's relative (close) distance to John Hendry Park. However, now, I think that it was the other way around : Gladstone chose me. This school couldn't have been a more perfect fit for my story, and I don't want to take credit for any decisions that are just destined to be.
Here are a few photos...
A sample of the amazing artwork on the lockers, and there was so much more than just this beautiful peice.
The Cafeteria.
Happy Birthday!!!
I believe this is the canteen, I'll have to include a scene or two with this place in the next book.
My kids had been in the car for forty minutes, they were more than happy to run ahead of me to the entrance while I stood in awe.
Gladstone's code of arms, which translates to "By faith and by courage". I thought that was quite fitting with Beneath the Surface, and Liss's journey. More ironic is the lion within the crest. Hmmmm...
My next stop: John Hendry Park.
Just up the street, lies the very place where Liss voluntarily goes below for the first time. For anyone who hasn't been there, it is a very large park that surrounds Trout Lake. The most significant place, in particular, is the children's playground. Liss sits on the swing-set, reminiscing, when Rion taps her on the shoulder. This scene happens in the almost darkness, but it was very easy for me to imagine that, and I had to laugh to myself when I sat down on one of them for a brief moment (my kids were begging me to get off so they could have their turn). I was a little star-struck.
The undercover area where Rion takes Liss below is just next to the playground, and I stood on the actual spot where it happened. Unfortunately, I couldn't snap too many photos, because there were so many children at the park, and I wouldn't want someone taking pictures of my children without my permission, so these are only from a distance--but you'll get the gist of it :)
Just up the street, lies the very place where Liss voluntarily goes below for the first time. For anyone who hasn't been there, it is a very large park that surrounds Trout Lake. The most significant place, in particular, is the children's playground. Liss sits on the swing-set, reminiscing, when Rion taps her on the shoulder. This scene happens in the almost darkness, but it was very easy for me to imagine that, and I had to laugh to myself when I sat down on one of them for a brief moment (my kids were begging me to get off so they could have their turn). I was a little star-struck.
The undercover area where Rion takes Liss below is just next to the playground, and I stood on the actual spot where it happened. Unfortunately, I couldn't snap too many photos, because there were so many children at the park, and I wouldn't want someone taking pictures of my children without my permission, so these are only from a distance--but you'll get the gist of it :)
The entrance to John Hendry Park. The park itself is a wonderfully peaceful place. I highly recommend a visit if you ever have time.
You'll see the children's playground, and the two weeping willows that Rion speaks of in his note to Liss, and if there were no children around, I could have taken a picture of the almighty swing-set. But it's there, I assure you. On the left hand side of the photo, where the cars are parked, I envisioned to be the place where the entrance to the world below would be. Just under the cover of the tree; a place where no one would be able to see.
Another view of the park, slightly to the left of the above photo, where you can see the hundred feet it takes to reach Trout Lake. What a popular place this must be on hot days.
And for those of you who want to know why I chose John Hendry Park?
At first, it had strictly to do with what was available for photos of Vancouver parks on the internet, but I found this to be the most family friendly; and versatility was what I was looking for in a park in the Lower Mainland. I needed something that I could draw a lot of scenes from (including the children's playground where Liss remembers a happy time in her life)--especially one with a body of water.
Now, just as I said about Gladstone, I believe this park chose me.
I hope you enjoy this tid-bit. As you can see, I'm quite a visual person :)
Have a great weekend everyone. And smile, because the sun is finally shining in Vancouver.
M.
At first, it had strictly to do with what was available for photos of Vancouver parks on the internet, but I found this to be the most family friendly; and versatility was what I was looking for in a park in the Lower Mainland. I needed something that I could draw a lot of scenes from (including the children's playground where Liss remembers a happy time in her life)--especially one with a body of water.
Now, just as I said about Gladstone, I believe this park chose me.
I hope you enjoy this tid-bit. As you can see, I'm quite a visual person :)
Have a great weekend everyone. And smile, because the sun is finally shining in Vancouver.
M.
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