Conversations in the Book Trade

...recently had a conversation with me. The interview was posted today. Many thanks to Finn Harvor, who has interviewed authors from a number of countries. I'm delighted to be part of the conversation.

I've since received and read one of the books mentioned in the interview. I also mention Under Heaven, the latest novel by Guy Gavriel Kay. I'm a long-time fan of Kay. Needless to say, I was thrilled to learn last week that I'd won an advance copy of Under Heaven. It should arrive soon.

That Taproot

That taproot sends a shoot up in the lawn.
I mow it down like some alien spawn
that bursts out of a friend's chest at dawn

and not just any dawn, but the one
from which the plucker emerged; the promised one
now lies on the grass, the dew in the sun

sparkling not nearly as much as the lines.
Listen, lines stem from lies. I mean pure lies
curl those lips like petals. No surprise

really, as the ass is always greener
than the hands, the knees, the shoots far meaner
where the low-rise jeans don't rise; the leaner

among us can attest to this, know fear,
yet as yellow as the yellow get, near
as I can tell, the plucked are nowhere near

as bright in the plucker's green grip. Plucked blooms
wilt in a pile. Sap sticks. The plucker assumes
the bloom's position, ass to the ruins.

Considering hive ideology

...as put forth by Jaron Lanier in You Are Not a Gadget while following this lengthy comment stream on Vox Populism made for quite the reading experience. A mashup, really, and a disturbing one at that. Lanier's book, a "deeply felt defense of the individual" just as the book jacket claims, questions open culture and what that means for the individual. Lanier is a big picture thinker and, luckily for us, he tackles the dark side of the web, frequently focusing on the possible fate of art and artists. Sobering stuff, yet strangely energizing. The comment stream just happens to demonstrate or reinforce some of what Lanier has to say. For instance, I considered the comment regarding the imagery of the mirror alongside the quote by Publilius Syrus in the first chapter of Lanier's book: "Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he." Lanier goes on to talk about how technology changes people, how politics influences IT and how software affects how humans express meaning. Later I considered the comments about rules of engagement alongside the chapter "Making the Best of Bits" where Lanier discusses, among other things, the origins of language and being well spoken. Later yet, Lanier looks at a physiological basis for metaphor and how meaning might arise. And so on. He covers a lot of ground. After I finished the book, I considered again the concluding paragraph of the post. Mooney's prediction is all the more ominous when you consider the hive.

Anyone dreaming of being a RRRGFP

...should read this post on Vox Populism. Be sure to read the comment by Michael Lista that follows. Brilliant.

The Sage Hill Summer Writing Experience

...is bound to be another dandy! If you haven't been to Sage Hill you don't know what you're missing. It's one of the best investments I've made in my writing life. I do remember spending a bit too much time at the dessert table, however.

Sage Hill Summer Writing Experience

July 19-29, 2010 In Saskatchewan’s Qu’appelle Valley

Application Deadline: April 19, 2010

Introduction to Writing Fiction and Poetry—Geared for emerging writers who have demonstrated potential, this workshop provides an introduction to the basics of poetry and fiction, as well as self-editing. Limit of 11 participants. Facilitators: John Lent and Susan Stenson

Fiction Workshop—This course is designed for writers who have published in periodicals and wish to focus on a work in progress. The workshop includes group discussion, writing time and individual critiques with the facilitator. Limit of 6 participants. Facilitator: Terry Jordan

Poetry Workshop—This program is designed for poets who have published in periodicals and wish to focus on a work in progress. The workshop includes group discussions, writing time and individual critiques with the facilitator. Limit of 6 participants. Facilitator: Elizabeth Bachinsky

Fiction Colloquium—With the focus on works in progress, participants can expect individual consultations with the facilitator, as well as writing time and discussions dealing with technical, philosophical and conceptual issues in contemporary fiction. Limit of 5 participants. Facilitator: Catherine Bush

Poetry Colloquium—With the focus on works in progress, participants can expect individual consultations with the facilitator, as well as writing time and discussions dealing with technical, philosophical and conceptual issues in contemporary poetry. Limit of 5 participants. Facilitator: Daphne Marlatt

Non-fiction—This program is designed for writers who have published in periodicals and wish to focus on a work in progress. The workshop includes group discussion, writing time and individual critiques with the facilitator. Limit of 6 participants. Facilitator: Ted Barris

More info here.

Art & Words

...is the title of the writing workshop facilitated by Anne Simspon that took place at the Mendel Art Gallery on Sunday. I registered as soon as I heard about it as I knew I'd be in Saskatoon on the weekend. I couldn't believe the workshop was free.

H and I arrived at the gallery early as I wanted to spend time with the exhibitions before the workshop. I was especially interested in seeing Ed Pien's Haven of Delight after reading the description of the exhibition on the gallery's website. It says "Pien has succeeded in creating his own unique, phantasmagorical visual language of tales and myths and half-human and half-animal figures, plunging the viewer into worlds which spark the imagination." Spark the imagination it did. Here's the Mendelog feature on Ed Pien. The podcast from the artist talk is worth a listen.

After I spent time with the work I headed down to the auditorium where the workshop would begin. I had a nice chat with a couple of established poets I know before we got to work. There were many new faces. I wish I'd written down their names, but I was in the middle of reading the workshop handout and it never crossed my mind.

I registered for the workshop for a reason. I've written a number of poems about art, some of which have survived the ax and might find their way into my next book. I have poems in a new manuscript that respond to art as well, but they're troubling me. I admire Simspon's work and was hoping the workshop would offer different approaches and new ways in. Sure enough, the handout offered many intriguing questions and exercises that I'll continue to explore.

Next we were given a whirlwind tour of the exhibitions, shown the rack of folding stools and off we went. I knew exactly where I was headed. I plunked my stool down and proceeded to get lost in Ed Pien's Sacred Tree, the darkest of the paper cuts. Or perhaps it speaks to the darkest part of me.

The gallery was busy, but before I knew it I gave in to the work. I can't believe how much I wrote in that short time. When we were asked to pull together a piece from what we had just written to read at the public reading, I was doubtful, but to my delight a poem emerged.

The public reading went really well. I was amazed at the work I heard. For the reading we were asked to stand next to the art that we had focused on. I can't get over how strange it felt as I led the audience to Pien's Sacred Tree. Stranger yet, there I was offering a look at the world into which I had plunged. It felt as if I was still plunging. And I still am. I think the rawness of it all has opened things up.

Tonight it's Poetry's 50th reading celebration

...happened last night and happily I was in Saskatoon. Tonight it's Poetry readings are now held at Lydia's as they needed more room to accommodate their growing audience. I was impressed with the space. The sound was incredible thanks in part to a professional sound board. The stage was beautifully lit. The readers looked great against the brick and wood background. I have nothing but good things to say. There was a good crowd and we had a great time. The featured reader was David Zieroth, winner of the 2009 Governor General's Award for poetry. After his reading I asked him to sign my copy of The Fly in Autumn and his new chapbook Berlin Album, recently published by Rubicon Press, and then I toddled back to our table to listen to readings by emerging poets. What amazed me most was that the crowd kept building as the evening went on. So happy 50th to Tonight it's Poetry. Hats off!

The interview with Patrick Lane

...over on Speaking of Poems is one of the best I've read in quite some time. I especially like the part where he addresses writers of "the younger generation, those who regularly tire of us older writers."

The Rustic Bunting was last seen

...on February 22. The juncos are gone as well. What an amazing experience it was! It was wonderful meeting all the birders who traveled here to see it. I feel so lucky.

Still I feel badly for the bunting, wherever it is, as I did all the while it was here. Poor thing. So unlucky. So utterly lost.

*
Here are the previous posts on this rare bird:

• Photos, video and account of the initial sighting in December.
• Photos and video during the December cold snap.
• Photos and account of the bunting in February.

The Rogue Stimulus launch on Parliament Hill

...is, of all the Rogue Stimulus launches, the one I wanted most to attend. But it wasn't meant to be. Needless to say, I was surprised and delighted to learn that my poem was heard on the Hill. Many thanks to Guy Simser for reading it. There's a great post and photos of the Ottawa launches over on Humanyms. And check out John W. MacDonald's fabulous photos of the event. And be sure to check out Rogue Stimulus: The Stephen Harper Holiday Anthology for a Prorogued Parliament.