I’m currently immersing myself in the Ottawa International Writers Festival. At this, Canada’s Festival of Big Ideas, I am always moved, inspired, challenged and yes, entertained by conversations with some of the world’s best thinkers and authors.
We’re part-way through the “Fall Edition” and so far I’ve:
- spent an evening in the Songwriters’ Circle with Jim Cuddy and Greg Keillor from Blue Rodeo, hearing about the inspirations and process of creating their album, “Five Days In July”;
- learned from Cynthia Flood, Kelli Death and Giller-nominated Lynn Coady about the creation of short fiction;
- shared in a chat with Michael Winter and the much-acclaimed Joseph Boydon about their newest novels and the issue of being true to yourself – as a writer, and as a person;
- become aware of the fundamental shift happening around the world regarding women, thanks to straight-talking journalist Sally Armstrong.
What’s that creaking sound? My mind opening…
I know, I always find the writers festival to be SO inspiring – just being around other authors and the down-to-earth way they talk about their craft makes me want to run home and write something down. I wish I could make it out to more (er…any) of the events, it’s just so hard for me to get out on a weeknight what with all the family stuff we have going on around here.
I’m looking forward to hearing all about the Blue Rodeo event, and I mean EVERY LAST DETAIL, because I MAY have a small crush on Greg Keelor. I admit NOTHING. 🙂