Within this book you will find a collection of prose, both fiction and non-fiction, and poetry, all of which are compositions of Cape Breton Literacy Network adult students.

Adults attend Cape Breton Literacy Network classes for a wide variety of reasons and work hard to learn a lot of different things. But no matter which class a student attends, (s)he can be sure that a lot of time will be spent in working to become a more confident writer. Much class time is devoted to working through the writing process. The hardest part of doing any writing is to come up with the ideas to write about. Once this has been accomplished, the rest of the process falls into place: composition of a first draft and then revision and more revision until the author is satisfied that the words are indeed telling their story. Next comes the work of editing or making sure that spelling, grammar and punctuation are all correct. Then and only then, does the author labour at the computer to produce a “good” copy.

In many ways, this book is like an iceberg. More than 90% of an iceberg is hidden below the water’s surface. So, like the part of the iceberg we never see, we also never see most of the work that has been necessary to produce these words. But, like the glittering tenth of the iceberg that we do see and admire, this book is an impressive testimony to the hard work of our students and staff. It demonstrates their dedication to learning and that is a truly wonderful thing.

Welcome, then, to the sixth edition of Our Side of the Mountain. Little did we know what we were starting back in the winter of 2000. I am very proud and honoured to have been a part of this great tradition.

Now, read on!

Kathryn MacCuish
Adult Learning Coordinator