In Memoriam: Elaine Amyot, 1932-2019
(Artist Elaine Amyot in her studio. Photo credit: Marc Blanchard, http://www.marcblanchard.ca )
Submitted by Elizabeth Blanchard
I was introduced to Elaine Amyot 18 years ago at a meeting of the Breach House Gang, a group of writers who met, and still do, every month in Nancy King Schofield’s studio on chemin La Brèche. It was during one of those Sunday afternoon gatherings that I remember Elaine reading from a draft of Les Pierres de Paris, a non-fiction piece about her childhood memories that would later go on to place in the WFNB Literary Competition. I was struck by the description of the “rose-coloured glass doors” of her mother’s bedroom; the fine lines of her mother’s vanity table; and the details of the mechanism that secured the lid to the “honey-coloured” box that held les Pierres de Paris, the kind of detail that, for most of us, goes unnoticed in the course of a day. Clearly, Elaine had recorded her memories with the care and aesthetic sensitivity of a visual artist.
Read More»In Memoriam: Michael Thorpe, 1932-2018
Submitted by Ed Lemond and Elaine Amyot
I first met Michael Thorpe in April 2000 at the inaugural Frye Festival. I had taken on the job of inviting the English-language authors and I sought help in many corners to get the right authors and the right mix. I asked Thea Borlase to give me a list of writers from New Brunswick she would suggest. At the top of her list were David Adams Richards, Michael Thorpe, and Elin Elgaard. They all happily agreed to attend.
Read More»Tribute: New Brunswick Flood 2018
The 2018 WordSpring Festival took place last weekend (May 11–13) in Quispamsis, not far from the still-overflowing banks of the Kennebecasis River. As the flood waters swirled, at least one writer did what writers do best, which is to witness … and then to express that witnessing. Before opening the Saturday morning session, WFNB director Jeremy Gilmer read the poem Inundation, written only hours earlier by Roger Moore. Thanks to Roger, we present it and his subsequent flood-inspired poems below. Much gratitude to Kingston resident and photographer, Liane Thibodeau for the accompanying photos.
Read More»The Writing Life, Powning Style
written by Marilyn Lerch; photography by Deborah Carr
Recently I attended a unique workshop during the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick’s WordsFall in Sussex. In all the many years attending informative workshops, this one brought another dimension of meaning.
Ten of us were welcomed into the home of Beth Powning, one of New Brunswick’s most well-known and beloved authors. Powning was the recipient in 2017 of the first-ever New Brunswick Book Awards for Fiction for her new novel, “A Measure of Light”.
Read More»KIRA: an intense creative experience
By Roger Moore
On March 2, I was informed that I had been selected to participate in the first of the three one-month KIRA (Kingsbrae International Residency for Artists) residencies planned for this inaugural year (2017). My residency ran from June 1-28, with other sessions planned for July and August. Four artists completed our initial cohort: Carlos Carty, a pan-piper from Peru, two painters, Anne Wright from Ottawa and Ruby Allan from Fredericton, and Elise Muller, a sculptor from Muskoka.
Read More»WordSpring: A first-timer’s impression
By Linda Foy
It felt unbecoming, somehow, to be nervous about the weekend. I’m used to adapting to new situations. Where was the self-assurance I thought I had lived into? It failed me as I registered for my first ever WFNB event, WordSpring 2017.
Read More»Create your own writers’ group
by Zev Bagel
Starting and running a writers’ group can be as easy or as complicated as you like. I’ve experienced both kinds. I’ll talk about the easy way, since it’s up to you to develop and you may be someone who loves all the intricacies of setting up rules and memberships and roles and bank accounts.
Whichever way you want to go, here are the two things to remember when thinking about a writers’ group. It has to be fun; and it has to help each member to develop his or her own writing style. You can think of a lot more reasons to have a group, but those two will be sufficient to attract and keep people engaged.
Read More»Walking through the Ashes in Eden
by Kellie Underhill
I went to Sackville in April to hear a talk given by a friend who attended a week long workshop in Colorado last year by the author of Women Who Run With the Wolves.
I have been out of the creative scene for years now, and honestly I wasn’t feeling any urge or pressure to reconnect with it. I went to this presentation because a) my friend invited me and I wanted to be there to support her and b) it was happening in Sackville, where I lived for two years, really miss and will seize any opportunity to visit.
Read More»Warming up with A Winter’s Tale
A three-inch binder sits on the shelf above my writing desk, stuffed full of hopeful notes on different aspects of grammar, poetry, writing for the screen, writing for children, young adult , romance and historical novels. My inspiration wall keeps inspirational snippets collected from here and there in safekeeping. Most of these wise nuggets were all gleaned from ten years’ worth of attendance at weekend writing workshops, squeezed in between all the busiest parts of my life.
I admit it: I’m a workshop junkie.
Read More»Beware $elf-Publishing Pre$$e$
[Ed. note: Several previous member blogs have described their positive experiences in self-publishing. This blog reminds us that not all SP companies are created equal. As always, due diligence is vital.]
In round numbers, my self-publishing venture initially was to cost me $500. This special price was a reduction of the regular $700. My motto “spend only what you can afford to lose” overtook me. I was thinking in Canadian dollars but had to pay in American greenbacks. But how could I lose? Company X was a reputable publishing house.
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