"FAITHFULNESS" IS NO EXCUSE FOR SLOTH:
WHY GOD EXPECTS EXCELLENCE
JOHN STACKHOUSE & MARC CÔTE
Moderator: Lesley Bentley
In many circles, sometimes especially religious ones, the pursuit of excellence is condemned as elitist, proud, and self-indulgent. Drawing on a range of religious scriptures as well as eastern and western philosophers, John Stackhouse will provide an unapologetic and invigorating theology of excellence while Marc Côtè draws on his background as an editor and publisher of major award (Governor General and Giller) books to discuss the necessity for writers to excel.
A reception will follow.
This is an optional conference session, and we expect it to sell out. Please register early so that you’re not disappointed.
*As this session might run late, those living outside Vancouver might consider taking a room for the night. UBC houses provides basic rooms from $33 as well as luxurious ones for $200. Check out the possibilities – http://ubcconferences.com/accommodations/ This is Alumni Weekend at UBC, so rooms may be in high demand. An early reservation, should you decide to stay over, is probably essential.
SATURDAY SESSIONS – MAY 25
SESSION 1: 9:30 – 10:45
Unlocking the Poet Within
DIANE TUCKER
In this extended workshop, we will be talking about and reading some of the best poems ever written. More importantly, though, we will be writing poems, a number of them, using structured writing exercises to help you bypass your fear of “poetry with a capital P”. We will explore the most important tools in the poet’s toolbox and use them to uncover the poet that’s lurking inside you, trying to get out! The aim of the workshop is for you to leave with several poems in hand, either finished or ready to be revised to perfection with your newfound literary confidence. Bring paper and pen or your snazzy computer.
FORMAT: discussion, some reading, but primarily writing to short exercises and reading the resulting poems aloud to the group.
FOR: beginning poets, experienced but weary poets, songwriters and prose writers who want to revivify their language.
Create, Populate and “Plotulate”
BEVERLEY BOISSERY
Learn the elements of fiction writing (setting, characters, plot) by deconstructing a well-known nursery rhyme. Bring pens, pencils, erasers, tablets…whatever. BUT, please, do not bring any preconceived or half-written plots. This session works best if everyone works from the same blank page.
This session will continue as an option after the lunch break for those who want to review it or need their work critiqued.
FOR: Everyone.
Write Your Mother's Story
MARILYN NORRY
Do you know your mother's story? Where she was born, the adventures she had in her life? This workshop gives you the structure, motivation, and confidence you need to write a full biographical sketch that can serve as a template for further work, maybe on your own memoir. Your work will be posted on:
FOR: Everyone
Making a Scene
MARNIE WOODING
Learn the elements of scene. Whether you're working on a script or a manuscript, scene is the building blocks of story. Story Editor, Marnie Wooding will explore the purpose and structure of a great scene.
FOR: Intermediate to Advanced fiction and screen writers
Words Becoming Flesh: Writing for the stage
RON REED
It is perverse that the Church has sometimes had such a struggle with the art of theatre, that form which so resonates with God's own incarnational impulse. The artistic director of Pacific Theatre will talk about the Christian and theological heart of his work for the theatre, and we'll get down to the nuts and bolts of how to craft scripts that will come to life onstage.
SESSION 2: 11:00 – 12:30
PANEL – Permission to Write
PANELISTS: KEN SHIGEMATSU, RON REED, MARC CÔTÈ, kc dyer
What do we do, as writers, when the need to carve out time and space in which to use our God-given gift of words conflicts with the demands of the busy world around us?
FOR: Everyone
Unlocking the Poet Within (continued, see description above)
DIANE TUCKER
The Hour Story
MEL ANASTASIOU, SUSAN PIETERS, JENNIFER LANDELS
Writing is a lonely business. In this session, learn how to build a story circle which will affirm, support and help you become a better writer.
FOR: Everyone
12:30 -- 2:15 p.m.
LUNCH IN THE RESTAURANT
BOOK ARCADE, SIGNINGS, MEET THE AUTHOR
SESSIONS
SESSION 3: 2:30-4:00
Create, Populate, Plotulate (continued)
BEVERLEY BOISSERY
Continuation (optional) of workshop in session 1. Bev will do a wrap-up, and critique characters and plots developed during that session.
PANEL
Journalling—The Writer’s True Tool
DENISE RUMBLE, PATTI HOWARD, MEL ANASTASIOU
MODERATOR: GAIL STEVENSON
So, you think you want to write songs?
KELITA
Song writing can be a talent just like any creative art but how do you craft a song? Learn some basics of song writing with the focus on lyrics. What is it that YOU want to know about the song writing world? Lots of Q & A. Bring your songs along.
FOR: Everyone
Writer for Hire: The World of Business Communication
TANYA HAWKE
An intro to how companies and non-profit organizations depend upon writers to tell their story. Topics include the current market for jobs and contract work, social media prowess, pros and cons of being self-employed, plus stories of real clients and real projects. This workshop is practical, casual and interactive.
FOR: Everyone
Point of View: The Capstone of Writing Fiction
KATHY TYERS
Topics to be covered include:
Why fiction appeals; POV, the capstone of the writing arch; Establishing story time; Putting on the viewpoint of your character’s glasses-- Seeing story and setting through his or her eyes; Your antagonist’s point of view.
FOR: Intermediate to advanced writers