Author Angela Misri was in Portage la Prairie today at the Portage Regional Library giving a presentation in association with TD Book Week.

Misri outlines her presentation.

"I did a presentation to a bunch of grades 9 to 12 students, and it was really engaging. They really got into it. We were talking about how I write. What my process is. And then we talked about what their process is. And we had some really great questions from the audience. And this is TD book week, and it's awesome."

Angela Misri in background while students check out one of her books

She notes students asked several questions.

"When I brought up the idea that you could actually write for a living, six hands went up. 'How do you do that? How do you manage to write for a living?' So, there's a lot of interest in that, which is common for this age group, because they're starting to think what they can do with their lives. So, that was really interesting. We also talked about how a book goes from starting on the page to actually getting published. And I think that was of interest to people."

Misri says she's passionate about helping people share their creativity.

Misri signing one of her books"I talked a lot of having the courage to share, because I think that's really important. A lot of us create things in the safety of our own homes, and then tell no one about them. I don't even like to think about how many brilliant novels, how many gorgeous pieces of art are sitting at home that have never been shared. So, that's one of my big points to kids this age, is to share with courage. Don't just share things that are dumb, and happened to your friend when somebody falls off the subway. Actually share things you've created that you would be proud of."

TD Canadian Children's Book Week involves the sponsorship of 30 authors, illustrators and story tellers to travel the country outside their home province. Misri says they bring their stories to classes and libraries, and she was chosen to visit Manitoba. She adds he's been across the province and is visiting Winnipeg tomorrow.

Misri is a trained journalist and worked with CBC for 14 years in radio, podcasting and websites. She currently writes for the Globe and Mail and anyone else who might take her works. She's a digital journalist, telling most of her stories online infographics, podcasts with lots of great visuals, and she writes in the tech industry. She writes fiction at home in the mornings and non-fiction in the afternoons. She also paid a visit to Yellowquill School this afternoon.

Angela Misri speaking with one in attendance after her presentation