Sudbury-born author makes the most out of airline strike

Author Mark Leslie Lefebvre talks with Tony Ryma about his recent road trip back to Ontario from Albert, his process for writing and shares tips other authors.

An author born in Greater Sudbury who now lives in southwestern Ontario took advantage of a strike by flight attendants at Air Canada to do some valuable research.

Mark Leslie is back home in Waterloo but had to improvise when the strike grounded Air Canada flights.

“I was in Calgary for a conference and … I was forced to rent a car to get home,” Leslie said.

“I needed to get back home for an author event.”

He decided to take advantage of the opportunity to see more of Canada. Plus, he said, he has a book coming out next year.

“I planned on travelling to Thunder Bay and north of Lake Superior to do some research so why not do it now?” said Leslie.

“I found that every province -- and I hadn’t been to the Prairies before -- is spectacularly beautiful.”

Each province is beautiful

He said each province has amazing people and has its own riches, even though he was only there for a few days.

“Wow, I can’t wait to go back again,” Leslie said.

The native of the Greater Sudbury community of Levack has written more than 35 books. He said that each book is an opportunity.

“Now I can write from my research because I was there,” said Leslie.

“When I was coming back home through northern Ontario, I took Highway 11 because there was a crash on Highway 17. I had never been to Timmins. So, I decided, let’s do it.”

He added the north is so beautiful and there is so much fruit for content in all the things we experience in life.

“Take advantage of that as a writer, take that all in,” said Leslie. “Absorb it and be a sponge.”

We can’t all be Margaret Atwood

While on the road, Leslie said he likes to stop at bookstores. While in Thunder Bay, he visited one recommended by a friend.

“My friend is a local writer in Thunder Bay and he had wonderful things to say about it. I had great conversations with not only the owner of the bookstore but with a local artist.”

Leslie admitted that sometimes he does get recognized while out at a bookstore and adds it is an exciting thing.

“Sometimes it shocks me. Oh, you know who I am! As a Canadian writer, that is a difficult thing because not all of us can be Margaret Atwood,” he quipped.

Leslie said he always enjoys doing events at bookstores. He said, “it’s such a thrill and a pleasure to interact with readers.”

He mentioned that 60 to 80 per cent of readers are still reading print books, which is great news for authors.