Currently reading: Descant 122, Fall 2003, Volume 34, Number 3. Descant is one of those recherché words, beloved of literary magazines. The editors of these publications eschew titles like ‘Bob’s lit mag,’ often in favour of fancy language. In my opinion, “descant” wins the prize for most esoteric. Not only did I have to look […]
Literary Spec Fic — Descant 122 Read More »
My friend http://bluebuddhabead.blogspot.com/ tagged me with this little meme. It’s my first time tagged so I thought I’d be a good sport. Here are the rules: Each player tagged must blog 6 weird things about herself or himself, plus state this rule Each participant must choose 6 people, list their names and send them a
Plus ça change, plus c’est le meme. Read More »
My friend Roben Goodfellow just got a story published in her very first book! It’s a collection of short stories called Mythspring. The anthology is inspired by Canadian songs and explores myths and legends across several genres. I have to buy it before I can review it, so watch this space for further developments. In
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Currently reading: The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, Toronto Life and bits and pieces of other things. What I should be doing instead: Writing, getting things ready for the play I am casting in January, getting ready for the holidays. Necessary procrastination i.e. my top priorities of the moment: Holiday social events. Writing and posting
Saint Lucia and joyful procrastination Read More »
Currently reading: Theatre of the Mind: Raising the Curtain on Consciousness You may have seen Jay Ingram co-host Discovery channel’s science magazine, Daily Planet. It’s my son’s favorite show. What would he think of me if I confessed my other favorite is something called “Ugly Betty?” I am enjoying Ingram’s book, which initiates the layman
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Pobby and Dingan, by Ben Rice, is a unique young adult novel. It is set in an Australian opal mining town where ratting (stealing opals from another person’s claim) is as bad as murder. The point of view character, Ashmol, has a lonely, sensitive sister named Kellyanne. She treats her imaginary friends, Pobby and Dingan,
I went to see the Alumni Theatre production of Perfect Pie, directed by Paul Hardy. Judith Thompson has won two Governor General’s Awards for her plays, plus a handful of other writing prizes for stage and radio. As we were being seated, Andy Fraser who plays Patsy, made a pie on stage. Her careful gestures
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Currently reading: Freedom Rising: Life Under Apartheid Through the Eyes of an American on a Four-Year Clandestine Journey Through Southern Africa, James North Living Under Apartheid, David M. Smith ed. The Portable MFA in Creative Writing, The New York Writers Workshop I doubt I will be reviewing these books. I’m researching the Black Sash movement
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Robin Maharaj gave an excellent talk on writing short stories yesterday. For those near Toronto, he is accepting manuscripts for evaluation until the end of November. Writers of adult fiction and novel exerpts can send him 25 pages. Aspiring writers spend half an hour with the acclaimed writer-in-residence to receive feedback. Check with the Toronto
Robin Maharaj on the Short Story Read More »
This is a picture of Evelyn Lau as an adult. She is currently making her living as a writer so this story has a happy ending. Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid was Evelyn Lau’s first book, based on diaries written after she ran away from home. It is fascinating but also very depressing. Her
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