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16-The Canadian Champion, Friday, May 25, 2001 ArtbdYèr ainment TERESA MILLS-HALL* Sales Rspresentative 905-878777 TAKE MY TIME And let me show this 2-storey detached located on a child safe street in Timberlea. 2 baths, fire- place, 2 car garage, extra large pri- vate lot. 224%. This is a home for your family - come see it today! WHRAT'1s ON IN MI.LTONO 189 Mili Street è 905-78-680 Corne relax on our patio. f fffffq Twister Wrap $2. 99 plus a Ruht now, gel one for just $299 and weilI throw in a FREE 20 oz. Pepsi. 276 Main St. 878-4171 5~Ij~ Appearing Wednesday, May mmb# 3th ýý-07wrs I 1 m- ' UNDA Knight Cap ,Tur3May 3 270 Matn St.E hr My3 (905) 876-3780 1___________ -Local author hopes for success with release of crime thille By FANNIE SUNSHINE The Champion Unlike most authors, David Wickes didn't start his writing career at a young age. The former jet fighter pilot recently had bis first novel, Killing Time, published. The book bas been on the shelves at Chapter's book stores since January. "As a teenager I wrote a sports column for a Montreal newspaper and I wrote for trade papers," the Moffat writer said. I then took a fictional writing course that taught me how to write fiction properly. I retired early to write my novel." 'Killing Time', a fictional crime thriller, follows main character Jack Petersen on a search for Sharin Jensen, the daughter of a high profile politician. During his search, a series of murders occur. The killer was involved in a car accident and was pre- sumcd dead but no body was found. -l started reading late in life," Mr. Wickcs said. It wasn't my lifelong drcam to be a novelist. Now 1 thorougbly enjoy writillg." From is writing course, be came to understand the "rules" of fiction writing. "You must know tie beginning and end- ing of your story. Plot twists have to come 25 per cent tbrough the book and again at 75 per cent through. 1 had the core charac- ters in mind when 1 starting writing the book. 'm almost done the second book and 1 have the third one in my bead. Jack Petersen will be the focal person in ail of the books but you won't have to rcad thcm in anv narticular order." Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Moffats David Wickes retired early ta write a novel. "This book took 10 months of writing and four months of editing to complete," he said. 'It was such a thrill to write and research the book. The second book 1 wrote at a faster pace - I was wiser. There were a number of times in the first novel wbere 1 wrote an idea and then had to research it. With the second book, I researched the idea irst before 1 added it as part of the book." Its too early to tell if' the book is selling well because of the short time it's been on the market, Mr. Wickes said. say how the book is doing." When he saw his novel on display at the book store he felt "incredible." "When it was finally completed 1 feit fantastie. I got to, look at a printed copy of the book in November." Ile book signings have helped sales since Mr. Wickes is a virtual no-name, he said. "I'm a practical person. The fiction wall at Chapter's is huge. How is someone going to pick up David Wickes' Killing 'ime? That's why the signings have helped (with sales). People aren't going to be looking for next David Wickes novel yet." Because the novel is tilled with technical policing procedures, Mr. Wickes spent many hours with Minnesota police officers (the state where novel the takes place) to get a grasp on the technical lingo. 1I had to be very accurate with the police procedures," he said. "I had to write that part perfectly." He said he',s boping his next novel, which has yet to, be named, will be out for Christmas but doesn't know if it will mnake the publishing deadline. "In order for a Christmas release 1 have to have the book ready to go by May and printed by August. So I think it will proba- bly be out next spring or Christmas of 2002." Mr. Wickes, who admires authors such as Ken Follett, John Girsham and Fredrick Forsythe, said he receives support from bis wife and kids and his three German shep- herds. "l'm. always thinking of story ideas. As soon as I think of something I write it down or put it into the computer immedi- Wýhcn developing the characters, Mr. "t o n bttheonKnow il e ery rnapte us ic tMr."Wce ilsg oiso iln Wickes used character traits of people bc e s.novel udteone sin Keaithnerladerloo TMr. Wickles wil sgtop ionMailn knew but the characters weren't based on idoes. Itve doe bt som ite readnsadsgn lmeu Ctsboktoea MlonMI one sole person, he added.insatestrbuitalttepmtret tomorrow from Il a.m. to 2 p.m. vlLocal dancers to comp et e in Las Vegas Andrea Stoèkton of Dance Elite was May 5 in Niagara Falls, New York. 1 Love Dance bas been presenting its chosen out of bundreds of dancers at tbe Ms Stockton, who bas been at Dance dance festivals and conventions for 23 preliminary pageant of the I Love Dance Elite for 12 years. received a $600 scbolar- years. Young students of ballet, jazz, tap, competition to, compete at tlhe Intemnational sbip to, attend the competition in Las Vegas. variety arts and other dance forms are Championsbips Convention in Las Vegas, Katie De Carie, another dancer from given the opportunity to have their work Nevada in July. Dance Elite, will also be competing aithte seen and evaluated by qualified, profes- The nreliminarv comnetition was held Intemnational Championships Convention. sional and celebrity dance judges. E- 1 I ý370 MAIN STREET EAST - 905 878-1880' l -1 -a 1 a 1 iiiu; Fi-illigilialy - --- -»---