Pen Pal Posts - Bill Redekop

Bill Redekop is a Winnipeg Free Press, rural reporter and has won a number of awards since working with this newspaper:

•  Manitoba Human Rights Commission Journalism Award (1994)
• Canadian Mining Institute News Award (1998)
• co-winner of the National Newspaper Award for coverage of Manitoba’s 1997 Flood of the Century

After reading many of his reports over the years, I first got in contact with Bill Redekop via email, when Lutz Beranek, was planning a trip to visit the places his father had spoken about so fondly. (Lutz' father was a WWII German prisoner of war here in Canada.) This visit took place in the summer of 2014. Since Bill was the first person in Canada who Lutz contacted after starting to research his father's time as a POW, he naturally wanted to meet him. I arranged for Bill to come to my home while Lutz, his son and sister were staying at our colony. That's when I finally met him face-to-face. Bill interviewed Lutz during this visit, and his story, Following in his Father's Footsteps was published shortly after. Just after Christmas 2015 he published another piece about Lutz: Writer's Subject Connection not Lost in Translation.

Thus, when I started planning for these Pen Pal Posts, I thought Bill would be an interesting person to interview, and he graciously agreed, when I asked him.

How long have you had your Winnipeg Free Press column? Have you ever written for other newspapers? 

I’ve been the rural reporter for 14 years. It’s technically not a column as I don’t state opinions. I first wrote for the Manitoba Co-operator for eight years, where I learned about agriculture, although I also got a taste of farming when my dad had a hobby farm in the Interlake.

I learned something already; I always referred to you as a columnist. I know you’ve been the rural reporter for a while. Has your role changed since you first started with the Free Press?

Yes, my role initially was agriculture reporter, particularly the “wheat beat.” We don’t have such a thing anymore, but my agriculture background has always helped me immensely writing rural stories.

As a rural reporter, you must have written some Hutterite pieces. If so, which ones come to mind? 

We tend to write stories about Hutterites that others would find surprising, like the use of technology, or like your blog! or something that seems progressive, although we probably have a bias about what’s progressive. I wrote about former Hutterite, Mary-Ann- Kirby, and her tremendous success as a writer, but also her positive take on colony life, even though she was an ex-member. That was different. I kind of avoided writing about the 9 dissidents in part because I didn’t think their book was so much of a book as a long magazine article, but also it’s been done before. That is obviously always an issue for colonies.  

I wrote about teacher, Mark Waldner at the Decker Colony and how every student has a computer at their desk. I also wrote about the Green Acres Colony making fire trucks. That seemed pretty impressive to me for a colony of what, 150 people? 

I found an extraordinary story about the family of Johnny Hofer at James Valley Colony, and their struggle with CPT-1 deficiency, a very rare metabolic disease that can cause repetitive comas, seizures and sudden death, and which has surfaced in Manitoba Hutterite colonies. I really appreciated the family sharing their story. 

I mentioned Hutterites when I wrote about the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church in 2013 because people often compared them, because both separate themselves from the rest of society, although PBCC don’t live in colonies.  I don’t think the comparison is fair. The PBCC are far more extreme. For example, members won’t eat in the same place as non-PBCC members, meaning they don’t eat in restaurants. Neither can their homes or place of building touch those of non-PBCC members, so they don’t stay in hotels, or apartments. When they travel, the billet with other PBCC families. And PBCC does a complete shunning that’s more severe—and cruel-- than anything I’ve ever heard of on a colony. They throw people out of their group and cause severe pain within families, splitting up families, for offenses that are more political in nature, like speaking out against something, than are sins. That threat, and creating incredible dependence among membership, is the threat is used to keep people in the group. They have about 700 rules, many of them ridiculous. 

One other thing I will say about my encounters with Hutterites is how secure in themselves they are. At least, that’s how you seem to me.  I’m always impressed by how sure of  themselves Hutterites are, and I’ve discussed this with some members. I wouldn’t call it confidence so much as just comfortable with themselves.  I don’t find Mennonite people, which is my background, as sure of themselves as Hutterite people.

I always have to chuckle when people find our use of technology surprising; it seems they think we're like the Amish, which of course is not the case. I remember reading the stories you mention, and I know both Mark and Johnny very well. Mary Ann Kirkby wrote a nice endorsement for Hutterite Diaries. I agree, most Hutterites are comfortable with themselves, but I would also venture to say, many are confident individuals as well. It must take a fair bit of research to maintain a 'column' like yours. How do you find the people/places you write about? 

I started by doing it all by word of mouth but ran out of material in winter, so I had to start following rural newspapers, too. When I visit someone, I try to find out about them and their area. You can’t just ask someone, ‘What’s new?’ because they’ll tell you there isn’t anything new. But once you start to have a normal conversation, you hear a lot of interesting things about an area. I used to think of it as if I was a forester. I would go visit someone about a story, and felt like I’d felled a tree, but if they told me of other stories that I could come back and write, that was like replanting the tree I’d taken. 

I love the simile of you seeing yourself as a forester. What do you most enjoy about your job as a writer? Do you have favourite columns or have met people who have left a lasting impression?

This is a very good question. Well, I like writing the most. I’ve always been a writer from the moment I learned how to spell words.  Yes, most people have left some impression or other. Someone said to me recently that I was lucky in that I got to meet a lot of special people, and that’s very true. It sounds cliché to say “special people” but it’s more like in  fiction writing  in that you don’t really have to have won something, or obtained worldly success somehow, to be interesting and worth knowing. That’s often the premise in journalism, but then you try to get beneath it.  That’s how I looked at it.

Your 'characters' are always real people, not figments of your imagination. That's part of what it is that makes them special, I would think, and they all have interesting stories, that most likely nobody would ever get to read if you wouldn't write them. Thank you for bringing these stories to us! As a reporter, have you ever had unexpected responses to some of the pieces you published?

Absolutely. One thing I learned is never write about family, or if you do, be prepared because someone will have a different take on what you saw. Family members have been mad at me from time to time, not seriously, but then they have reacted positively at other times. But I don’t make a habit of including family. 

I understand you’ve written some books as well. Can you tell me about them? What motivated you to write them?

Every book I’ve written was someone else’s idea first. I’ve written four books for three different publishers, and each time I was approached by them. I like that because then I don’t have to go searching for a publisher, which can be hard, as you know, and I’m busy enough with my day job.  I wrote “Crimes of the Century” in 2002, and a follow up, “Crime Stories,” in 2004. Both were historic true crime stories in Manitoba. More recently I had published a compilation of some of my Free Press stories, Made in Manitoba. I also wrote an environmental story, about the politics behind the Rafferty-Alameda Dam in Saskatchewan, that resulted in the first environmental law in Canada. It’s called Dams of Contention: The Rafferty-Alameda Story. I wanted it to be called Dam Stupid, but some people didn’t like that title. 

For both my books, I didn't have to look for a publisher either, which I'm very grateful for. I know from talking with other authors, though, that looking for a publisher can be a very discouraging time. The fact that three different publishers approached you, speaks well of you as a writer. I'm intrigued by Made in Manitoba. Will have to see if I can find it. Would you ever consider publishing a book with your own story as a rural reporter? 

Ha! Interesting question. No, it’s never crossed my mind, but it’s an interesting thought. I’m not sure what would drive a book like that. I know you wrote about your life as a Hutterite woman, but I don’t think insight into what I do is as unique or interesting. Probably Made in Manitoba is as far as I can go with that. 

Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview, Bill. I wish you continued success and joy in bringing us fascinating stories. 

Pen Pal Posts - Terrie Todd

I first got to know Terrie after I had an article published in the Portage Herald Leader some years ago. She kindly wrote me an email telling me how much she enjoyed it. (Probably one of my first pieces of fan mail.) She also encouraged me to start me to start a blog. The piece that appeared in the Herald Leader back then, is now also published in Hutterite Diaries; chapter 4 and titled A Circle Not Unbroken.  

Over the next few years we'd run into each other ever so often, or visit each others' blog. Her blog, Out of My Mind is one of the favourite blogs I follow. As I mentioned in a previous post, Terrie is a columnist for a local newspaper and has had eight stories published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

When my book, Hutterite Diaries was released in May 2015, Terrie wrote a beautiful column on it, and posted a heart-warming review on Amazon as well. Needless to say, I was humbled and so grateful that she would dedicate a whole column to my book. She also came to my book launch at the Portage library, and I intend to return the favour on January the 26th. I'm almost as excited about the pie and ice-cream, and the door-prices she's planning for this event, as I am about the book.

Congratulations on the publication of your brand new book, The Silver Suitcase, Terrie. But before we go into that, I’d like to talk about your newspaper column. I love your column and read everyone, either on your blog or in the Herald Leader. How long have you had it and how did you get into it? 

Sometimes it pays to ask for what you want. In September, 2010, the Herald Leader was advertising for freelance writers. I had previously written a monthly slice-of-life column for my church newsletter and wondered if I could do something similar for our local paper. I made an appointment with the editor (Elisha Dacey at the time) and asked for a regular column. I gave her my resume and three sample columns. She hired me and I started with the very next issue. Shortly after, the paper stopped paying freelancers, so it was a fortunate window of opportunity for me.

I remember those days when they still accepted article from freelancers, as I was one of them. I always think it would be fun to have your own column, not to mention that it would motivate you to keep writing. What is it that you appreciate most about being a columnist?

Being approached by readers in the community who tell me they read my column is pretty sweet. That’s one of the perks of living in a smaller town. Having that regular deadline is indeed motivating, and the regular pay cheque is sure nice. At $40 per column, it’s far from a living wage. But I’ve been able to save up and use the money for writing courses, books, and writers conferences, which eventually led to signing with an agent who landed the book contract for me.

It's amazing how things work out sometimes. I know you’ve been writing for a long time, and have often wondered if you’ve ever consider putting all your columns in a book. Was that ever a dream, or was your dream always along the line of publishing a novel?

It’s only been recently, with five years of columns under my belt, that I’ve thought of putting them in a book or been asked that question. I suppose I might consider it as a ten year anniversary project or something if I’m still at it in 2020. The market would be quite limited, so I would have to self-publish, which means coming up with the money up front. Not a huge priority, especially since my columns are also on my blog where anyone can read them.

Good point, but still, it would be special to have them all in one volume. Lisa Stahl, a Hutterite in Montana used to have a column in a Montana newspaper. When she married and moved to Saskatchewan, she gave up her column. Then  the newspaper published a book, titled My Hutterite Life, of all her pieces including some pictures provided by Lisa.

You’re also part of a local group who presents a number of plays throughout the year. Can you tell me about that? Has being involved in drama, helped in any way with writing your book?

I learned to write short drama sketches during my 20 years as the drama director at Portage Alliance Church, and I learned to write dialogue that sounds real. Some of those scripts were later published, as well as two longer plays with a royalty publisher, so it’s been fun to know groups around the continent are performing them. After writing my novel and receiving numerous critiques in contests or from potential editors, one reoccurring comment was that dialogue was my strong suit. I credit this to my practice with play scripts.

Our local community theater troupe, The Prairie Players, has performed two of my plays: The First Church of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Sleeping with a One-Armed Man. This past February, Sarasvati Productions of Winnipeg produced my play, Irony: A Tragic Comedy about Life and Death at their 2015 Fem-fest. This was my first professionally produced piece and a great learning experience.

Wow! That must be so rewarding to have some of your plays performed professionally. Your brand new book, The Silver Suitcase, a debut novel will be released on January 26. I know how exciting that must be for you. What inspired you to write this book? How did you come up with the title?

In 2009, I was struggling with wanting to do more writing but being short on time and energy. I’d discovered that if I wanted to write for publication, I needed to spend at least as much time marketing and submitting as I did writing, but I had a full time job plus other responsibilities. I was turning 50 years old and felt that if I was going to give this a go, I needed to get on it. I couldn’t afford to quit my job and I decided to spend an evening fasting and praying about it all. I asked my friend, Julianne, to pray for me. She is a prayer warrior to whom God sometimes gives “pictures” when she prays for people. That night as she prayed for me, she received a picture of me, sitting on top of an old-fashioned silver suitcase. It was stuffed with papers and spilling over, like they were trying to get out.

Meanwhile, I had committed to writing 500 words a day toward a novel, not knowing if I could write a book or not. I picked up on the idea of a silver suitcase and asked “where can I go with that?” This book is the result. I also ended up changing my full-time job for a part-time one, which has freed up time and my writing has taken off since then.

I love the cover of your book; it’s very striking and creates intrigue. Share briefly what this book is about and where it’s available.

It’s the story of two women, separated by three generations but connected by the secrets stored within an old silver suitcase…and one healing, powerful God who pursues them both. In addition to my launch at the Portage library on January 26, it’s available locally from Heritage Book and Gift Shop (or ask for it at any book store. If they don’t have it, they can order it.) It’s also available online in paperback, ebook, or audio-book format from Amazon. Click here.

For the most part, I write non-fiction, so I don’t have to create characters. And I know this is just your first book, but when dreaming up characters, do you ever have a person you know, in mind, or are your characters strictly fictional?

I’ve done that with plays, especially when I have a certain actor in mind as I write a script. But for novel writing, it seems the characters reveal themselves to me as I write. Hard to explain. I did borrow some names from my personal history which friends and family will recognize.

A while back, I wrote one fiction piece for fun, and also to try that genre, so I know what you mean when you say, 'the characters reveal themselves'. Strange as it seems, it really happens. What I was also surprised with, were the unexpected twists and turns the story took as I was writing. Honestly, sometimes it felt like I was just typing.

What do you hope readers take away from your book?

My prayer with any of my writing is always that my words will draw readers just one baby step closer to their Creator than they were before. That will look different for everyone.

As a writer who has recently published a book, I know working on a project is a wonderful experience. Are there any special experiences on this publishing journey, which you’d like to share?

It’s good I didn’t know how discouraging a journey it can be when I began, or I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to start. But I’m so glad I hung in there! When I finally signed with an agent in 2013, she told me to get going on a second novel because often a publisher will want a series of two or more books. So I did. A year later, when the first book had still not sold, I pretty much abandoned the second one, feeling there was no point. When The Silver Suitcase finally did sell in 2015, I got back to my second book and it is now approaching the finish line. It’s called Maggie’s War. Whether or not Waterfall Press will want it will depend largely on how The Silver Suitcase does in its first three months.

One thing that makes me so happy is that, although the publisher is American, my story takes place right here in Manitoba and includes interesting bits of Canadian history during World War II. I had been told by “those who know” that if I wanted my book to sell in the States, I would have to move the setting to the U.S.  I’m so glad those naysayers were wrong!

Twice, The Silver Suitcase made the final five in the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel Contest. It didn’t win, but I formed a very close-knit bond with the other finalists the first year and we remain long distance friends. Although spread around the continent (I’m the only Canadian), we have encouraged and supported each other and now all five of us are published authors. I was the last. These friendships are priceless.

I can say the same about my publishing journey. I've gotten to know some amazing people and treasure their friendship, even though I've never actually met some of them in person.  

I'm reading a review copy of your book right now and am really enjoying it. One of the elements I like about it, is that it's set in Manitoba!

Thanks so much for being part of my Pen Pal Posts, Terrie and best of luck as you promote your book.

(To read the other posts in this series, click on Pen Pal Posts under Tabs.)

Sleep or Story?

Don't you just love it when children fall asleep with a book? This is my nephew, Jakobi, in kindergarten this year. He's been falling asleep with a book in his hands for a number of years now. Here's proof. 

This picture was taken over the Christmas break. I was trying to put him down for his nap, and he kept telling me over and over, "I'm not going to sleep. I'm a big boy now and don't have to."

"Fine, big boy." I said, "So just lie down with some books for a while, and we'll have some quiet time."  Which he did, because he loves books. When I looked up from where I was reading a few minutes later he was sound asleep. When I went to put him in a more comfortable position and take off his glasses, he opened his eyes groggily, but  fell right back to sleep and slept for a few hours.

I knew trying to convince him that he does need sleep, even at five years old, it would have magically energized him and he would have stayed awake. So, I tried the 'let's just read' approach. Works every time...almost.

I've fallen asleep with books myself, but not in recent years. How about you?

Pen Pal Posts - Elma Maendel

I'm fortunate to have a fellow-writer who lives under the same roof with me - my sister, Elma. We're also part of a writers group. It's very helpful to have someone close by to bounce ideas of off and since we grew up together, we share many of the same memories, so she can help add details to my stories and I for hers.

Elma has published two delightful children's books, Marty's Adventure and Marty's Colour Adventure and is looking to get the third one published, hopefully, in the not so distant future. Both of her published books are available on Amazon and also the HB Book Centre. Of course we have these books in our school, so we know children love them!

If you've followed this blog for a while, you know I don't like mice. However, I believe mice in books are adorable, and the ones in these books are no exception. Cynthia Stahl is an exceptional artist!

Here's my interview with Elma:

When was your first book published?

Marty's Adventure was published in 2008 and first launched at Canmore, Alberta at the International Conference for Hutterite Educators (ICHE).

What or who inspired you to publish children’s books? How did you decide to use a mouse as one of the main characters?

The idea of my first Marty book was sparked when I took a Children’s Literature course while I was still in university.  I’m not exactly sure how the mouse came about, but I definitely wanted a Hutterite child. 

The illustrator of your books is Cynthia Stahl. How did you decide to partner with her, in this publishing journey?

One of the first university courses I took, took place at Crystal Spring, where Cynthia lived at the time.  This is where I was first introduced to Cynthia’s art work.  Interestingly enough, it was a picture of some cute mice! Of course, I fell in love with them.  Soon after that, I approached her about illustrating my books.

Do you draw inspiration from other children’s book authors? Who is your favourite one and why?

In my job as an elementary teacher, I get to read tons of wonderful picture books, however, I can’t say that a specific author has inspired me.  More so, I saw the need for Hutterite children to have books written by and for Hutterites.

Are there plans for another Marty Mouse books?

The third Marty books has been written and illustrated and is anxiously awaiting publication, sitting on the desk of my publisher!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I had three purposes for writing children’s books

•     I want Hutterite children to have books where they see characters and language they can identify with.

•      I want to give non-Hutterite children a glimpse into our unique community.

•      I want to be able to use my books as teaching tools, hence: shapes, colours and soon numbers.

I agree, it's important that Hutterites write stories, for all the reasons you listed and also that there are books available that tell our stories from our perspective - frankly, no one can tell these stories like Hutterites themselves! I also know, first hand how rewarding this is; I've published two books: Lindas gluecklicher Tag and more recently Hutterite Diraries.  

Thank you for being part of my Pen Pal Posts and also for always being willing to edit my writing!

(To see previous post in this series, click on Pen Pal Posts under Tabs.)

 

Thank You For Sharing My Book!

 

As a writer, it's always heart-warming and very much appreciated to hear when our published books become gifts. Every time that happens, it's a special gift to the author; even if they never know about it.

I just want to take a moment to thank people who used Hutterite Diaries as a gift this Christmas, or any other time. I know of a number of people who have done so, some bought a number of copies for just that purpose. 

Thank you so much for deeming my book a good gift choice. This really is one of the greater joys of getting a book published. I sincerely hope your family and friends enjoyed the stories in my book.

I love to give books away myself and do so regularly, as much as love to receive them. Sharing stories is a wonderful way to touch people, as they bring smiles (sometimes also tears) and provide hours of quiet, yet powerful and enjoyable entertainment. 

There's no better down-time activity then curling up with a good book, and when it's as cold as we have it in Manitoba at the moment, (-21 Celsius, somewhere around -29 Fahrenheit, I think), then having tea or hot chocolate close by, is a good idea as well. 

Have you been a recipient or giver of Hutterite Diaries?  Or perhaps it's still on your wish-list. Whichever it is, I'd love to hear your story.

Keep sharing stories. As Sigmund Brouwer says, "Telling stories makes us human, and we are human because we tell story."