The week is winding down and what a rich experience. Last night's student readings were amazing. I read from my newly finished novel, Pike Bay Lodge, but I was just one of about 45 students who read at the event. There was such variety in the writing: everything from baseball players to rubber chickens, to Cape Breton mines. And speaking of Cape Breton...
Alistair MacLeod led a wonderful workshop full of insight and laughter. He told us to write about the things that worry us, reminding us that these things are directly connected to where we live in Canada. In addition to the morning workshops, we were treated to many lectures. Today's talks were inspiring.
Wayson Choy offered this advice: "The things you comfortably remember are boring." So when you write, you should go to the material that makes you ask, "What is my mother going to think of this?"
MG Vassanji related the story of writing his nonfiction book on India. A lovely, thoughtful speaker, he told us about going to his ancestral home for the first time. To complete the book, he had to return several times but as he advised, "It would take several lifetimes to see India."
The day concluded with a reading of As Birds Bring Forth the Sun by Alistair MacLeod that illicited a standing ovation. We are truly blessed to have this wonderful writer and generous man in our midst.
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