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In September Eric Walters, the Canadian author of over 50 novels for children and young adults, will be in Winnipeg to receive the 2008 MYRCA - Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award for his powerful novel, We All Fall Down.

One doesn't simply read his novels; you devour them and are instantly changed. Through his words, I have been homeless, survived a raging flood, experienced 9/11, felt great emotional loss and run with Terry Fox. You don't require vast knowledge of history or current affairs; read the first chapter and Eric Walters does the rest. You are drawn vicariously into the mystery, the action, the personal struggle. You become socially aware and compassionate. Who wouldn't benefit from this?

My thanks to Eric Walters who took the time to chat with me and answer a few questions for McNally Robinson.

WW: Everyone feels they have something to say or to impart to our young adults of today; why did you decide to start writing?

EW: I started writing for my class. I was teaching grade 5 and many of my students were reluctant writers and readers. I started writing a story, set in our school and community with many of them as characters. That book became Stand Your Ground and was my first published book.

WW: I think we underestimate many of our young readers, but you do tackle some tough and very real issues in your books. We All Fall Down, Shattered and Sketches are three recent books with endless discussion worthy topics. Why do you think kids want to read about 9/11 or the homeless or runaways?

EW: I believe that young people are smart, aware, caring people who are capable of understanding important life events and issues. I try to present real stories, things that matter, in a way that they can not only understand but empathize with the people who have experienced them. I write about things that I think matter.

WW: Your new novel, The Falls, spins a fascinating tale of Niagara Falls and its barrel jumpers but also draws you in with a relationship between a recovering alcoholic mother and her 15 year old son who drinks for recreation. Is it a conscious effort on your part to sneak in some helpful advice along with an engaging story?

EW: There's always a message. Often it evolves around believing in yourself, not giving up, striving to move beyond boundaries that are placed upon us by others and ourselves.

WW: Another recent novel, Safe as Houses recounts a harrowing night spent by three children battling a flood and was inspired by the devastating Hurricane Hazel that hit Weston, Ontario in 1954. Many of your novels are based on actual events; what types of research do you do in preparation for a book?

EW: I had the honour of meeting and interviewing Penny, a young girl at the time whose family chopped their way out of their house, and Jim, one of the characters in my story who actually went out in a small boat and rescued over 30 people. I get to meet real heroes, hear real stories, visit the real places. For Rebound I spent days in a wheelchair, for STARS I white water rafted and rock climbed, for Tiger by the Tail I hung around at people's basements, barns and garages with their lions and tigers and bears (Oh my), for Run I interviewed Terry's family, went to his house, and ran sections of the Trans-Canada highway including a marathon in Nova Scotia along the road he'd traveled. Of course I also read books, check out websites, and watch videos to capture the places and people.

WW: I've read about your involvement and success with the now annual Terry Fox National School Run. What prompted you to write your novel, Run, about one of the most well-known figures in Canadian history?

EW: Terry Fox remains a Canadian icon, institution and hero. Winnipeg should be proud of producing this hero. Kids need to know about the genuine heroes in this world, the role-models they can follow.

WW: Who has been the most inspirational to you in your own life?

EW: I find all of life inspirational. People fascinate me. Right now I'm heading back over to Kenya to help launch a project to build an orphanage. The struggles and triumphs of life are what makes us human. Gandhi said, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. I guess I'm still working through the discover of life and myself.

WW: You write many books every year for young adults and tour cross-Canada visiting schools and libraries. What do you like the most about traveling?

EW: I get to know the people who populate the places I visit, talk to students, hear stories, experience their lives.

WW: Is there somewhere, anywhere in the world, you would like to visit?

EW: I'm off to Kenya this year and next, but I'm hoping to go to India the year after that. My friend, Dr. Chandra, operates an orphanage/school/clinic/training centre and he's invited me to spend time there. He said to me 'there are stories here for you to write' and I want to write those stories.

WW: Did your upcoming Alexandria of Africa result from your initial travels there? I'm sure Kenya has tales to tell in abundance.

EW: Alexandria of Africa was written while I was in Africa. The part on the plane was written while I was on the plane, the part at the camp was written while I was there, Nebala and Renee are characters based on the real Nebala and Renee. I wrote Safe As Houses the year before while traveling through Europe. I tend to be pretty focused but that's as much biology as anything else. I don't sit or stop very well, but, if you love what you're doing why not keep doing it?

The whole orphanage project will be linked off my website in September as we try to raise the money and the whole experience is written about in a book - The Creation of Hope.

WW: Finally, do you have any advice for the many aspiring writers out there?

EW: Write, write, and write some more. Research what you write about so you can write what you now know. Be prepared to rewrite to make your story better. Follow the advice of people who know about writing - your teachers. Read good books and learn from those people who inspire you. Most of all, enjoy!

Please join us September 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Travel Alcove at McNally Robinson Polo Park, where Eric Walters will be reading, signing and presenting one of his newest novels for teens, Alexandria of Africa .