A new book reflects on Dianne Miller鈥檚 time in Saskatchewan education, including time teaching in Yorkton.
鈥淭his is my first published book,鈥� said Miller of her book Chalk Dust. 鈥淭he idea for the book evolved as I recalled and recorded several of my experiences as a student, teacher, and administrator.
鈥淚 cherish my memories of young children鈥檚 innocent observations, adolescents鈥� good-natured wisecracks, and humorous, poignant, sad, and even frightening situations. I鈥檝e retold these stories through the years because of their impact on my life and my heart.鈥�
So the book collects her stories, some harkening back to her Yorkton time.
鈥淚 appreciated my years as a member of the friendly, progressive Yorkton community,鈥� said the Weldon, SK. born Miller. 鈥淢y stories from there relate mostly to my experiences with adolescents in Grades 7, 8, 9 at St. Joseph鈥檚 Junior High School. I wrote, 鈥楽tudent behaviour at a school dance pretty much provided a perfect illustration of the microcosm that is junior high. Grade 9 students, draped over one another, slow-danced in the middle of the gym. The Grade 8s hung around the perimeter, nudging, giggling, and working up enough nerve to be part of the action. Meanwhile, the Grade 7s played tag around the outside of the circle鈥�.鈥�
Miller spent seven years in Yorkton, one at Dr. Brass Elementary and six at St. Joseph鈥檚 Junior High.
For Miller writing the book was a new experience.
鈥淥ther than an interest in creative writing as a student, having completed several English university classes, and the need for creativity in my teaching and administration (including those infernal month end reports) I鈥檝e received little formal education as a writer,鈥� she told Yorkton This Week.
鈥淔ollowing retirement I took a writing class at the local college and since then have been a member of the Swift Current Prairie Quills Writers鈥� Group and the Saskatchewan Writers鈥� Guild. Through the local group and the Guild I鈥檝e attended numerous workshops and retreats.鈥�
听But, why did Miller think the book was worth writing?
鈥淢y aim is to entertain and inform,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 think retired, current, and prospective teachers will enjoy my ramble through the many pedagogical, societal, and personal changes I observed through my lifetime.
鈥淓veryone has attended school, and I feel will be reminded of their own, hopefully positive, experiences.
鈥淚 also hope that, through Chalk Dust, I can encourage others to write down their memories. We jot down short tweets, posts, and emails, rarely writing in complete sentences, thus losing much of our personal history.
鈥淚 feel it鈥檚 extremely important for people to record their family, career, or other life stories. Write down those snapshots of memory. Even if you put them in a shoebox in the closet, your family will appreciate your tales.鈥�
That does not mean the book necessarily came easy to Miller.
鈥淕ene Fowler said, 鈥榃riting is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead鈥�,鈥� she offered. 鈥淲ith memoir writing, usually the seed of an idea is easy to find and the key is to dump the memory onto paper oblivious to correct grammar, sentence structure, spelling, or punctuation.
鈥淭hen the real work begins as you edit for content and mechanics.
鈥淚 was fortunate to work with Heather Nickel of Your Nickel鈥檚 Worth Publishing in Regina, and after she suggested I follow a chronological order in which to weave the many disparate stories, the chapters flowed more easily.鈥�
Of course there were still challenges to writing Chalk Dust.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e recording memories that include other people, there鈥檚 always the possibility that your recollection of a situation differs from theirs,鈥� said Miller. 鈥淢y disclaimer is that these memories are mine, and I hope former friends and colleagues will indulge whatever delusions or discrepancies may surface.
鈥淚 also interviewed several colleagues who gave consent for me to share their stories which I鈥檝e woven, often with embellishment, through the book to further illustrate various points. I hope I have retold their stories and mine gently but truthfully.鈥�
People seem to like what Miller has created.
鈥淭o-date, response to the book has been positive,鈥� said Miller. 鈥淧eople tell me how they鈥檝e 鈥榖urst out laughing鈥�, 鈥榞iggled all the way through鈥�, and sometimes 鈥榮hed a tear鈥�.
鈥淪ome have related recollections triggered by my stories. I鈥檓 pleased the book has been well received.鈥�
As the author Miller too is satisfied with her effort.
鈥淵es, publication has been a huge learning experience, but I鈥檓 gratified that readers are enjoying my story,鈥� she said.
Chalk Dust is available through YNWP.ca, Skbooks.com, Prairiebooksnow.ca, Chapters.indigo.ca, Books.apple.com, and Amazon.ca. It鈥檚 available at Coles outlets around Saskatchewan and in Yorkton, at the Parkland Mall Coles store.
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