Comments on: How NOT to write about northern Canada

By: Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills » Blog Archive » Has anyone ever written anything for you?

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:02:43 +0000

[...] That should really be “near” locals: generally these morons are not actually hoping to spend time with people from our fair city. Most of us have normal jobs and pretty average lives. That would ruin the stories they plan to tell people back home. And it goes without saying that the stories will follow a predetermined pattern. (I wrote about this in my blog post How NOT To Write About Northern Canada.) [...]

By: Dave Brosha

Dave Brosha — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:14:19 +0000

This may be my favourite Megan post ever…..

By: jen

jen — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:26:11 +0000

That was too funny Megan, I always love reading your stuff!

By: cpf

cpf — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:56:50 +0000

So true, this pretty much sums up 98% of anything you see written about the north. I suggest finding an article that conforms to this “guide” and following along as the most of the subjects in this guide are mentioned one by one, hehe.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:59:40 +0000

I think that Ernie Lyall (from Taloyoak) put it really well in his book “An Arctic Man”.

…if you come up here from the south and you stop over at some place in the north for an hour, you can write an article for a newspaper; if you stay for overnight, you can write a big article for a magazine; if you stay for three days, you’re an expert and can write a whole book”.

Written in 1979, not a lot has changed.

By: Holli

Holli — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:06:13 +0000

Wow! Megan that is as near close to a perfect take on the piece I could have imagined. At the same time it’s unique and cuts right to the stereotypes of ‘the vast north’!!! I LOVE IT!!!! You’re a GREAT writer! I wish the original writer could read yours. Bet he’d be impressed too.

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:30:58 +0000

That’s great Megan. The beginnings of a Northern style guide.
Don’t forget that you also have to blame those messy “tar” sands for all downstream cancer, addictions, spousal abuse, illiteracy and general malaise. Ignore any science connected to water and air testing. Quote anecdotes from people whom have a deep, spiritual connection to the land instead of scientists. And keep your eyes peeled for two-jawed fish at all times.

By: Craig

Craig — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:47:46 +0000

Awesome. And bravo.