Camilla Thompson, from Stellarton, holds up a copy of her new book – Nova Scotia Bummer – which was release in the middle of August. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsArticle contentNEW GLASGOW – At a very young age, Camilla Thompson knew she wanted to be a writer. What she learned over the years, though, is that what she really wanted to be is a storyteller. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Stellarton native has accomplished both and just released her second children’s book, Nova Scotia Bummer. Article contentArticle content“I’ve always written, and I tell kids that I’ve wanted to be a writer since Grade 1,” Thompson said, adding, however, that as a child, she had a “learning difference” and didn’t think her goal was achievable. “But my teacher in Grade 1 told me, instead of writing my stories down, tell them out loud. So, I started that way, telling stories out loud, and she told me, ‘I think you could be a storyteller.’ Article contentArticle content“So, my storytelling was more from the oral side. That was my actual storytelling, more than the writing, for a long time. And my dad was an amazing oral storyteller. He made stories come alive when I was a little kid. So, I stated there, reciting poetry and telling stories out loud.” Article contentAfter various jobs, often working with children, Thompson found herself on disability and spending time in area coffee shops. Accompanying her would be a notebook. Article content“People would come up to me and ask, ‘What are you up to these days?’ I got sick and tired of saying I’m on disability and not working, so I started calling myself a writer,” she said with a chuckle. Article content“People would then say, ‘Oh, what are you writing?’ Kind of calling my bluff, so then I had to actually come up with something. Article content“My first book (Skating Late) was a story I started telling kids over 15 years ago. I kept it on the shelf thinking someday, maybe, I would do something like this, but I didn’t until that moment of disability, out of the workforce, and feeling like I had kind of lost everything. It was at that point that I took it off the shelf and turned it into a book. Article contentArticle content“This one (Nova Scotia Bummer) has been in the works for about 2 years. I’ve been storytelling it to all of the kids I’ve met, and the kids even contributed ideas to the illustrations. It took some time to take shape.” Article content Writer Camilla Thompson said, even after going through her new book, Bummer Nova Scotia, on multiple occasions, she would still find a small detail artist Bonnie Lemaire creativily included on a page, she hadn’t noticed before. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsArticle contentArticle contentBUMMER BOOK Article contentThompson talked about her new book, which was inspired by the inscription on Nova Scotia license plates. Article content“Ever since I was little, I would see our licence plates – ‘Canada’s Ocean Playground’ – and I thought it was cool that we’re known for our beautiful beaches. That people travel from all over the world to play on our ‘ocean playground,’” she said. Article content“But I also know, from taking kids I worked with to the beach, it’s not always a playground. Sometimes it’s a bit of a nightmare. Article content“So, our little character has come to Nova Scotia thinking they’re coming to this beautiful Nova Scotian playground and arrives only to find they are getting stung by a jellyfish, their sandcastle gets swept out to the sea, and they’re having a bologna and sand sandwich for lunch. So just about everything that can go wrong, does for this little character.”
Stellarton storyteller releases her second book
