The Gift of Community

Quote: “If you possess enough courage to speak out what you are, you will find you are not alone.” ~  Richard Wright

Yesterday I attended my first event as a member of The Manitoba Writer’s Guild. A celebration of “The Dave” Short Story Compilation, Beyond Boundaries Volume Two, was held at the funky Artspace venue in downtown Winnipeg. I spotted Dave Williamson himself being interviewed outside the entrance with a striking pastel lilac door. On the main level, the nostalgic aroma of buttery popcorn emanated from the old-school movie theatre. We rode a rickety old elevator to the second floor, where a woman who introduced herself as Marlene welcomed us.

Keen for a good view, Mister and I chose a wobbly table near the front. As luck would have it, we were adjacent to the table reserved for Dave Williamson and his crew. There were refreshments on offer, and I gladly sipped from a glass of red wine, the room buzzing with anticipation.

While we waited for the program to begin, I reminisced about my early years in Calgary, at Alberta Writer’s Guild meetings held in smoky pubs and Wordfest events where I met and obtained autographed books from icons like Margaret Atwood and Miriam Toews. I fondly recalled writing groups at Lynda Allison’s Tranquilo Retreat in Coronado, Panama. I expressed my deep gratitude, that I was taking my first steps into Winnipeg’s vibrant arts scene.

President of the Writer’s Guild, Sharon Hamilton, gave the opening remarks, a spark in her eye, a clear passion for her role. Dave Williamson welcomed us to the event in his honour, expelling the virtues of the oft-dismissed genre of the short story. Then it was time to listen to readings by the top three finalists in the competition.

Yvonne Kyle’s “A Good Day on Clothes,” captured the adventures of two curious boys hailing from a small hamlet in New Brunswick. I appreciated her creativity in foreshadowing plot developments by interspersing weather forecast clips throughout the narrative.

Elle Qunmei Taylor, a recent university graduate, told a highly imaginative tale in “Canadian Cougars,” of talking cougars in magical caves that were portals through space and time.

First place went to Lisa Pollock’s, “The Promise.” The intimately detailed account of a young boy enduring the oppressive, walking on eggshells existence that goes with the territory of an alcoholic, abusive father, elicited an emotional response that I felt in my belly.

I was struck by the level of talent and the diverse stories of all the writers who participated in the competition. The judges’ remarks reinforced for me the subjectivity of art, the need to edit, polish, and edit some more, and the importance of having a fresh voice. I left feeling privileged for the gift of my new writing community. I felt a lightness in my heart with the knowing, I need to tell my own stories, in my own original voice. There is time and space for me to bloom.

COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      All four of my books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

·      I finished writing my fifth literary fiction, a psychological drama that explores the complexities of mental illness and trauma. Stay in touch by signing up for my blog or following me on social media to find out when it will be published.

Reviews & Interviews:

·      You can read, listen or watch a large selection of reviews and interviews on my website.

Events:

·      There are no events currently scheduled in my calendar.

YouTube Channel:

·      Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.

·      Watch The Holding trailer.

·      Watch The Healing trailer.