...I'll admit it. I didn't go to a single festival event today, after two very long days and nights at the festival (and also at work).
I pledged that tonight I would stay away from the festival, plug away at the book review I have due this weekend (ack!) and maybe go to bed early.
Sure, I'd check my email every so often to see what my fellow bloggers had come up with, but I wouldn't spend another evening with a laptop searing my lap, another evening giving myself virtual papercuts.
But as you see from the excellent contributions from both Daria and JS, this wasn't possible.
Ah well...
Tomorrow will be a compromise. Two readings in the morning (Brenda Hasiuk, Lois Braun, and Janice Kulyk Keefer) but also a nap in the afternoon.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Out-take: festival staff
Here's an admittedly contrived picture from Monday night's Mainstage performance, featuring Charlene Diehl (the choker), THIN AIR Director and emcee for the evening, and Perry Grosshans (the chokee), THIN AIR General Manager.
Line of Inquiry: Emily Pohl-Weary
Toronto author Emily Pohl-Weary grew up and still lives in the city's west end. Parkdale, a formerly elegant but now down and out neighbourhood, seeps into everything she writes.She's currently writing a four-issue girl pirate comic (illustrated by Willow Dawson). Her young adult mystery novel, Strange Times at Western High, was published by Annick Press in the fall of 2006.
A slim collection of her poetry, Iron-On Constellations, was published in late 2005. In the fall of 2004, her first novel was released. A Girl Like Sugar is about a girl who's haunted by her dead rock star boyfriend. A critic called it "a candy kiss hiding barbed wire...as fun as eating a Ferrero Rocher."
1) As a writer (i.e. someone whose artistic practice is predicated on time spent alone) how do you approach performance? What do you get out of it?
Honestly? I still get very nervous before stepping out from behind my computer to do a reading or speak in public. Usually the butterflies hit seconds before it's my turn to get up on stage, so I try to use the anxious energy to propel my performance. Sometimes it works, sometimes, well...ahem. The times it doesn't are when the audience probably gets a taste of the real me. But there's a certain adrenaline rush that comes from forcing yourself to do something out of your comfort zone. It's good to shake yourself up a little.
2) What do you want people to know about Strange Times at Western High?
Strange Times was my opportunity to rewrite my high school years. Ha ha. I was able to create an alter-ego named Natalie Fuentes - a fearless teen girl who doesn't really care about being popular, has more on her mind than boys and clothes (she self-publishes a zine), and doesn't falter in the face of peer pressure or threatening situations.
3) What are you looking forward to in Winnipeg?
I love visiting the galleries like Plug In and Mondragon Bookstore, so hopefully I'll have time to just wander around a bit. I'm also looking forward to checking out some of the other readings and seeing friends.4) What are you reading right now?
Okay, I tried to stall on answering this question until I was reading something that's not too embarrassing. The sad thing is that time will never come.
I've got about five books on the go and none of them are exactly high-brow.
Open on my bedside table are: Tamora Pierce's Sandry's Book (Circle of Magic Book 1); Lynne Ewing's Goddess of the Night (Daughters of the Moon Book 1); Lauren Haney's A Curse of Silence (a mystery set in ancient Egypt); Francine Pascal's Starting Over (a Sweet Valley High novel); and Vikki Stark's My Sister, My Self: Understanding the Sibling Relationship That Shapes Our Lives, Our Loves, and Ourselves.
I've also been watching old episodes of Gilmore Girls for like the 4,000th time.
It's all "research." Right?
Right?
Emily Pohl-Weary will be appearing at THIN AIR, Winnipeg International Writers Festival:
September 26 - School Stage, with Brendan McLeod.
September 27 - Campus Program, with Maureen Fergus.
What Are They Currently Reading: Rona Maynard
A Husband and Wife, at Grant Park food court, on their way to Rona Maynard, on What They Are Currently Reading:
Husband: We've both been studying a lot about Sweden, because right after Rona Maynard we're moving there tonight.
Me: Tonight? This is a momentous occasion. What are you reading about Sweden?
Wife: Mostly we're reading about the language, counting, simple phrases, cities and towns. Actually kind of boring stuff.
Me: Are you reading other stuff, too?
Wife: Oh yeah, some here and there. Of course I'm reading Miriam Toews, in a certain way she's the best in Canada. Also because I'm of French Metis heritage I still always turn to Gabrielle Roy and lots of historical information on Louis Riel. I read some late French Symbolist poets, like Paul Valery.
Me: Valery, don't you think he was sort of ruined from over-canonization by T.S Eliot?
Wife: No. And I like going to the Manitoba Archives and checking out the trading records of the Northwest and Hudson Bay Companies.
Me. Pretty impressive. Nice selection. And you, good Sir?
Husband: Well currently reading alot about Sweden. Also, because I've got the travel bug, I've been reading alot of Alvaro Mutis, the friend of Marquez, who has that fascinating character named Maqroll.
Me: Whoa, slow-up, I'm trying to write!
Husband:I'm actually halfway through a Scandanavian saga - I'm trying to get the feel for northern Baltic culture - The Saga of the People of Eyri. I guess for the same reasons I've been reading up on Ibsen, just the less famous ones, like The Master Builder. Oh, and lots of Knut Hamsun, from whereever he's from somewhere up in the cold there.
Me: Knut Hamsun, the Nazi sympathizer?
Husband: I would debate you on that, Sir.
Me: I would likely concur to your side of the debate; still, it does hang over his body of work.
Husband: Well, no use debating now, we have to finish our Pad Thai, then getting packing after Rona Maynard.
Me: True. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and I can only hope you bring your spark of erudition to learned people of Europe.
Husband: Please leave.
* * *
J.S. is a propagandist and pamphleteer for over sixty-six Crown and Association publications. He has been both staff and contributing writer for weekly newspapers such as the Selkirk Journal, the Gimli Spectator, and the Midnight Sun, in Dawson City, Yukon. His poems and prose have appeared in the Golden Buzz (now the Force Gazette), Tart Magazine, and as low, low, low-run chapbooks. He is also founding member of the now defunct rap-futurist collective, Xenophane Six.
Husband: We've both been studying a lot about Sweden, because right after Rona Maynard we're moving there tonight.
Me: Tonight? This is a momentous occasion. What are you reading about Sweden?
Wife: Mostly we're reading about the language, counting, simple phrases, cities and towns. Actually kind of boring stuff.
Me: Are you reading other stuff, too?
Wife: Oh yeah, some here and there. Of course I'm reading Miriam Toews, in a certain way she's the best in Canada. Also because I'm of French Metis heritage I still always turn to Gabrielle Roy and lots of historical information on Louis Riel. I read some late French Symbolist poets, like Paul Valery.Me: Valery, don't you think he was sort of ruined from over-canonization by T.S Eliot?
Wife: No. And I like going to the Manitoba Archives and checking out the trading records of the Northwest and Hudson Bay Companies.
Me. Pretty impressive. Nice selection. And you, good Sir?
Husband: Well currently reading alot about Sweden. Also, because I've got the travel bug, I've been reading alot of Alvaro Mutis, the friend of Marquez, who has that fascinating character named Maqroll.
Me: Whoa, slow-up, I'm trying to write!
Husband:I'm actually halfway through a Scandanavian saga - I'm trying to get the feel for northern Baltic culture - The Saga of the People of Eyri. I guess for the same reasons I've been reading up on Ibsen, just the less famous ones, like The Master Builder. Oh, and lots of Knut Hamsun, from whereever he's from somewhere up in the cold there.
Me: Knut Hamsun, the Nazi sympathizer?
Husband: I would debate you on that, Sir.
Me: I would likely concur to your side of the debate; still, it does hang over his body of work.
Husband: Well, no use debating now, we have to finish our Pad Thai, then getting packing after Rona Maynard.
Me: True. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and I can only hope you bring your spark of erudition to learned people of Europe.
Husband: Please leave.
* * *
J.S. is a propagandist and pamphleteer for over sixty-six Crown and Association publications. He has been both staff and contributing writer for weekly newspapers such as the Selkirk Journal, the Gimli Spectator, and the Midnight Sun, in Dawson City, Yukon. His poems and prose have appeared in the Golden Buzz (now the Force Gazette), Tart Magazine, and as low, low, low-run chapbooks. He is also founding member of the now defunct rap-futurist collective, Xenophane Six.
Interview: Alice Kuipers
Alice’s first novel Life on the Refrigerator Door was published in Canada and the United States August 28th by Harper Collins – talk about hot off the press.
It has sold at least three copies in Winnipeg – I know because I bought one and forced two of my friends to buy the others. Seriously though, it has sold in 21 countries. The book is written entirely in notes left between Claire and her mother, Elizabeth, during a difficult and ultimately tragic year.
Alice drove with her parrot, Fernando, into Winnipeg last evening, from her adopted hometown of Saskatoon. She described the drive “as thrilling as cleaning out the refrigerator.”
Not that she would know ANYTHING about refrigerators. On the way back she plans to visit Margaret Laurence’s home. [This is fascinating stuff – Alice.]
Last night we indulged in a bit of red red wine and engaged in some riveting discussion and research. We analyzed the Britney Spears performance at the VMA’s concluding that we would have done a much better job and have far better bodies. We then proceeded to watch Justin Timberlake’s Dick in a Box, twice, before heading off to bed.
Alice thinks that I should mention that we actually know each other and we met at The Sage Hill Writing Experience last summer and she hasn’t just shown up at my house looking for booze. Both unpublished, unknown, lonely writers at the time – Alice’s book has gone on to sell in a trillion languages, my book will be printed in English – if the publisher doesn’t decide to dump me.
On with the interview…
Having written a book set on fridge what is your favourite appliance?
I like blenders.
What do you like to blend?
If I had a blender, I would like to blend things into soup. But I don’t want to “wash one up” [Alice is British and talks funny sometimes] so I don’t have one.
What’s in your fridge right now?
A lot of YOP and not much else. There was a deal at SUPERSTORE. Actually the YOPS are now in your fridge, Daria.
Why do you have a parrot (that is sitting on my shoulder)?
When I lived in Panama, the owner had a parrot and for a writer they are really good pets. And I’m not allergic to Fernando. He’s named after my diving instructor. I took diving in Spanish. God knows what I actually know about diving – especially in Spanish.
This bird on my shoulder is really starting to creep me out. Do you use post it notes?
Yup. Doesn’t everyone. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t use them.
Why did you become a writer?
I spend most days writing and have done since I was quite young. I’ve written lots of things; LOTRD is not the first book I’ve written.
What happened to your first book?
It lies unseen. It’s really awful. It was called Repeat. And I wrote a book called Aquaplane – also unpublished and I wrote a book called Always Present is about incest and I think lots of first time writers have a book about incest in them.
I think because it’s taboo and taboo is interesting to write about. Rose and the Defiant Imagination was the first book I wrote that I thought was a good book.
And I have two collections of short stories which are unpublished, both of which I like for different reasons.
I think emerging writers would find it interesting that you have five books plus two collections of short stories, all unpublished, and LOTRD sells in 21 countries.
Do you have any more notes in you?
The format of using only notes to tell a story was really interesting to me; could I describe a full relationship giving as little information as possible. The format fits the story; it’s about running out of the time. The format had to say something in itself or the novel wouldn’t have worked. I’m not interested in pursuing that idea in another book.
No, what I meant was do you have any more actual post-it notes to write?
Thousands.
Favourite kind of pen?
My computer.
What’s up with that fancy keyboard of yours?
I have carpal tunnel in my right hand. Not ideal for a writer. People at my
Saskatoon launch thought this wrist thing was a fashion accessory.
I think it looks a bit 80s and was wondering if you had a matching headband.
I might get one. Great interview, Daria. Thanks.
But we’re not done yet?
Yeah, I have to go do some blending.
I thought you didn’t have a blender? Never mind.
* * *
Daria Salamon’s first novel, The Prairie Bridesmaid, will be published in fall 2008 by Key Porter Books. Daria’s journalism has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, and Uptown Magazine; one of her non-fiction pieces appears in A/Cross Sections: New Manitoba Writing. She lives in Osborne Village with her son, Oskar, husband, Rob and cat, Dr. Puddles.
It has sold at least three copies in Winnipeg – I know because I bought one and forced two of my friends to buy the others. Seriously though, it has sold in 21 countries. The book is written entirely in notes left between Claire and her mother, Elizabeth, during a difficult and ultimately tragic year.
Alice drove with her parrot, Fernando, into Winnipeg last evening, from her adopted hometown of Saskatoon. She described the drive “as thrilling as cleaning out the refrigerator.”
Not that she would know ANYTHING about refrigerators. On the way back she plans to visit Margaret Laurence’s home. [This is fascinating stuff – Alice.]
Last night we indulged in a bit of red red wine and engaged in some riveting discussion and research. We analyzed the Britney Spears performance at the VMA’s concluding that we would have done a much better job and have far better bodies. We then proceeded to watch Justin Timberlake’s Dick in a Box, twice, before heading off to bed.
Alice thinks that I should mention that we actually know each other and we met at The Sage Hill Writing Experience last summer and she hasn’t just shown up at my house looking for booze. Both unpublished, unknown, lonely writers at the time – Alice’s book has gone on to sell in a trillion languages, my book will be printed in English – if the publisher doesn’t decide to dump me.
On with the interview…
Having written a book set on fridge what is your favourite appliance?
I like blenders.
What do you like to blend?
If I had a blender, I would like to blend things into soup. But I don’t want to “wash one up” [Alice is British and talks funny sometimes] so I don’t have one.
What’s in your fridge right now?
A lot of YOP and not much else. There was a deal at SUPERSTORE. Actually the YOPS are now in your fridge, Daria.
Why do you have a parrot (that is sitting on my shoulder)?
When I lived in Panama, the owner had a parrot and for a writer they are really good pets. And I’m not allergic to Fernando. He’s named after my diving instructor. I took diving in Spanish. God knows what I actually know about diving – especially in Spanish.
This bird on my shoulder is really starting to creep me out. Do you use post it notes?
Yup. Doesn’t everyone. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t use them.
Why did you become a writer?
I spend most days writing and have done since I was quite young. I’ve written lots of things; LOTRD is not the first book I’ve written.
What happened to your first book?
It lies unseen. It’s really awful. It was called Repeat. And I wrote a book called Aquaplane – also unpublished and I wrote a book called Always Present is about incest and I think lots of first time writers have a book about incest in them.
I think because it’s taboo and taboo is interesting to write about. Rose and the Defiant Imagination was the first book I wrote that I thought was a good book.
And I have two collections of short stories which are unpublished, both of which I like for different reasons.
I think emerging writers would find it interesting that you have five books plus two collections of short stories, all unpublished, and LOTRD sells in 21 countries.
Do you have any more notes in you?
The format of using only notes to tell a story was really interesting to me; could I describe a full relationship giving as little information as possible. The format fits the story; it’s about running out of the time. The format had to say something in itself or the novel wouldn’t have worked. I’m not interested in pursuing that idea in another book.
No, what I meant was do you have any more actual post-it notes to write?
Thousands.
Favourite kind of pen?
My computer.
What’s up with that fancy keyboard of yours?
I have carpal tunnel in my right hand. Not ideal for a writer. People at my
Saskatoon launch thought this wrist thing was a fashion accessory.
I think it looks a bit 80s and was wondering if you had a matching headband.
I might get one. Great interview, Daria. Thanks.
But we’re not done yet?
Yeah, I have to go do some blending.
I thought you didn’t have a blender? Never mind.
* * *
Daria Salamon’s first novel, The Prairie Bridesmaid, will be published in fall 2008 by Key Porter Books. Daria’s journalism has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, and Uptown Magazine; one of her non-fiction pieces appears in A/Cross Sections: New Manitoba Writing. She lives in Osborne Village with her son, Oskar, husband, Rob and cat, Dr. Puddles.
Reading Copy: Gil Adamson
Gil Adamson has published two startling poetry collections, Primitive and Ashland, as well as an acclaimed collection of linked stories, Help Me, Jacques Cousteau. She cites as her influences Michael Ondaatje, Raymond Carver, Richard Ford, and Mark Richard, and her writing shows a similar attention to craft and a willingness to explore characters who are both brilliant and alienated.
Her first novel, The Outlander (Anansi), is an Adamson take on the western, following a young woman at the turn of the 20th century as she flees from desperate circumstances toward Frank AB, home of the massive landslide. Adamson lives in Toronto.
Click here for
Gil Adamson's
Reading Copy.
* * *
Caught Gil Adamson after her startlingly good reading from The Outlander at tonight's THIN AIR Mainstage performance.
Managed to convince her to contribute a Reading Copy, the first of two I have in the can (many many thanks to Anita Daher, who contributed the other after what must have been a long long day!).
There's more to say about Mainstage and even about Adamson, who leaves Winnipeg tomorrow morning 'very early,' but I need to get a few good hours of sleep...so, until I can return to this post and be pithy-pith-pith, enjoy the soundslide!
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