Inspired by the beat!

Sometimes, when my grandpa is out in his canola field, he listens to podcasts. Not just about farming, but other cool stuff too—like history, science, and pop culture news.

The other day, Grandpa and I were listening to a podcast about the history of pirates (argh!), and for some reason we had to stop halfway through. Talk about a cliffhanger!  So, when I went for my run later that afternoon, I started playing  the second half on my iPod.

Not a good idea.

The information was great, obviously, but I probably had my worst running time—ever. There is something totally un­­inspiring about listening to a podcast when training…or writing, as it turns out.

Maybe it’s the beat, but I’m really motivated by music. I have a dozen or so playlists on my iPod—one for sprints, one for distance runs, one for writing scary scenes, etc.—and I can always count on them to make me go faster, or longer, or write harder. (Did you know that there’s poetry with a rhythm that will distress you?)

Sometimes, I even play the SAME song over and over again. Like right now, I’m writing a spooky scene in my short story. Know what song I have on repeat? The theme song from the movie HALLOWEEN. * shudder * If that isn’t enough to send shivers up your spine…

What about you? How does music inspire you?

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

Mermaids, monsters, goblins, oh my!

Yesterday was Tell a Fairy Tale Day, and in addition to reading about them in school, I actually read Snow White and the Seven Dwarves to my sister last night before bed. It’s not bad for being a bit girly.

I like Fairy Tales. Or at least, some of the creatures in them—like elves, fairies, giants, mermaids, and even trolls. (Hey! Did you know there are mermaids in the latest Chase Superman Duffy book—TRANSPIRATION? Cool, right?) Plus, traditional Fairy Tales rely on magic of some kind. Magic is fascinating.

So, I got thinking that maybe I should start writing a new short story this week. I might use the story starter from this week, I might come up with something totally different.

How about you? Could you write a Fairy Tale? Which magical creature would YOU choose? I’m thinking elves. Or maybe giants. Wait! Trolls are pretty colourful. I like trolls.

So many choices! I guess I had better get started. Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

P.S. If you write a Fairy Tale, SEND IT TO ME. My email is: chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com. You could win a copy of TRANSPIRATION!

Dog walking, anyone?

If you’ve read Beneath the SOIL, you know I'm…(sorry), Chase...is a terrible babysitter. It's not a spoiler to tell you that he literally LOSES the little boy he’s supposed to be taking care of on the first page of the book. Yikes!

I have to admit, while I don’t mind occasionally looking after my little sister, Amelia, I don’t think I’m well suited for babysitting. But, my reading habit is getting a little…expensive. 

Sure I could use my allowance to buy books, or supplement my earnings by doing extra chores around the house, or taking bottles back with my Dad, but what about during the summer, when I have EXTRA time? Could I take on a part-time job?

Of course I could! Though, I’d have to do something that kids my age are allowed to do—like a newspaper route, except not a newspaper route because that means getting up really, really early.

So, what about dog walking?

I LOVE dogs, especially puppies. And I train for running, so I’m sure I could keep up with even the fastest dogs, like Greyhounds. I know where all of the off-leash parks in the area are, and I know for a fact a lot of the people that live on my street have dogs. The only part I’m a little bit nervous about is, well, you know, picking up dog poop. I’d get used to it, right? (With nose plugs!)

Actually, the more I mull it over, the more I think I’d make a perfect dog walker. Maybe when I have some time this week, I’ll make posters—and start lining up some spring and summer gigs now! What? Start right away? No way! It’s so cold out…B-r-r-r-r

Gotta jet! Have a great week!

— Chase Superman Duffy

Are you a Triskaidekaphobic?

If so, you’re not alone. Actually, about 17 million people in the world have a fear of the number 13—including Stephen King, the author of dozens of freaky books!

According to my research, it dates way back to Ancient Rome where the number 13 was associated with death, misfortune, and destruction. (That’s intense!) But since then, triskaidekaphobia (say that 13 times fast—ha ha) has become one of the most common superstitions in the world.

Did you know that many apartment buildings and hotels don’t have a 13^th floor, and some airplanes skip over row 13!

Researchers say superstitions are in our heads—like that never walking under a ladder or opening your umbrella indoors won’t actually bring bad luck. Superstitions apparently stem from the same human trait that causes people to believe in monsters and ghosts—when our brains can’t explain something, we make up reasons.

Maybe it is all in people’s heads, but I think I’ll be just a little bit more careful today. It’s the first Friday the 13^th of 2015.

Hey—I wonder how Stephen King is spending his day. One thing’s for sure, I’m steering clear of mirrors!

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

Oh, those crazy weather patterns!

Have you noticed that the weather has become a little more unpredictable than usual lately? I mean, one day, I’m outside in a t-shirt, and the next, there’s a blizzard warning and I’m bundled up in a parka.

I guess Albertans are used to that (I’m looking at you, Calgary Chinook!) but actually, weather is changing ALL ACROSS THE WORLD.

We’re learning about climate change in science class right now—which is pretty much defined as a significant change in the weather for a long period of time. It can cause…chaos. Like, flooding, drought, melting snow and ice, extreme heat, and really crazy storms. Maybe that doesn’t sound scary to you, but for some people, farmers like my Grandpa for example, climate change can have an impact on, well, everything.

The thing is, you can’t control the weather. So, I asked my Grandpa—how do farmers cope with climate change? You know what he said?

Well, to find out, you’ll need to read the next book in the Superman Duffy comic series, Cloud 9 —it’s ALL about the effects of climate change. I know, I’m a big tease, right? Don’t worry! Cloud 9 will be out sometime in March—just in time for spring…I hope. With the weather lately, who can predict?

No WONDER the weatherman has such a hard time!

Gotta Jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

An interview with my favourite artist — James Grasdal

Tomorrow is Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, and to celebrate, our teacher asked us to write about an artist that inspires us. For me, that’s James Grasdal, the illustrator of the Chase Superman Duffy comics.

Right now, he’s working on CLOUD 9, the 10^th book in the series, but yesterday he was nice enough to answer a few questions for me about how he got started as an artist, and some of the people that inspire his work.

When did you start drawing?

I can’t remember when—from my earliest memories, I’ve always been drawing. I was in Grade 8 or 9 when I realized I could make a career out of it, and I’ve never looked back.

What artists inspire you?

There are so many—that would be a very long list. But I’d have to say: Charles Schultz, Mo Williams, and Ed Gory.

What is your favourite artistic medium?

I like drawing cartoons more than anything. I love pens and brushes—but I like to experiment. I’ll try anything new.

Who is your favourite character to draw?

Chase, of course.

What is one thing you can’t draw?

I can draw anything. That’s what I tell everyone starting out. As long as you can break it up into shapes, you can draw anything.

What is your favourite thing to draw?

Monsters and dinosaurs. (P.S. In TRANSPIRATION, the latest Chase book, James has drawn some AWESOME dinosaurs!)

What was your first paid gig as an artist?

When I was in Grade 3, kids paid me to draw tattoos on their arms with markers.

What advice would you give to aspiring young artists?

Don’t ever stop drawing—and have fun!

Wow. Pretty cool, right? Do you have questions for James Grasdal? Send them to my email at chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com or post a question in the comments below. I KNOW James will be happy to answer.

Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

7 a.m. chicken noodle? No way, José!

I love a great soup as much as the next kid—especially chicken noodle when I’m feeling kind of sick—but soup for breakfast? * shudder * Not a chance.

It’s National Soup Month, and so my Mom’s been whipping up all kinds of recipes—from Minestrone and Italian Wedding Soup, to Clam Chowder and beyond. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all delicious (well, not that moss green mess called Split Pea soup. It may have been healthy but was generally gross.) And soup is perfect when it’s cold outside.

But this morning, my Mom tried serving me soup for BREAKFAST.

Are you kidding me?!

I know that in some countries—like Vietnam and Turkey, for instance—soup is a common morning treat. There may even be some good reasons for serving it. They can be easy to make, I guess; and may be loaded with delicious, nutritious ingredients. And maybe it’s good to shake things up so you don’t get bored of the usual breakfast foods but…

I can’t see it. At least, not for me.

I don’t know who first decided WHAT foods should be designated for “breakfast,” and maybe I’m a chicken for not trying new things, but in mind, SOUP is NOT for BREAKFAST.

Even if it’s that delicious Corn Chowder my Mom made last week.

Gotta jet—or I'll be late for school! (Ah-ha! Maybe it’s because soups are not grab-and-go foods—what do you think?)

— Chase Superman Duffy