A trio of talented non-fiction writers is sharing secrets at this year's Write on Bowen festival from July 8 to 10: Madeline Sonik, Anthony Dalton and Michael Turner.
Sonik is an award-winning writer and writing instructor at the University of Victoria. Her memoir Afflictions & Departures has been praised as "vivid and compelling".
In an interview about writing non-fiction writing, Sonik noted, "Pretty well everything I write I would say is difficult. In non-fiction, there's always a struggle to be honest - and by honest, I mean to honour the fact that the way you've come to see a particular event isn't the only truth of that event." Sonik's works include a novel, Arms, a collection of short fiction, Drying the Bones, a children's novel, Belinda and the Dustbunnys, and a poetry collection, Stone Sightings. At Write on Bowen, Sonik will host Creative Memoir on Saturday, July 9. Participants will learn the art of writing literary memoir and experiment with writing techniques designed to enhance and enliven autobiographical narrative.
"Writing is my passion. For me, a day without writing is a day lost," says sailor, intrepid adventurer, and author Anthony Dalton. His two latest books are: Arctic Naturalist and A Long, Dangerous Coastline. Dalton returns to Write on Bowen to host a workshop on Research: Get It! Write on Saturday, July 9. His workshop will guide writers through the various steps required to research effectively for non-fiction articles or books as well as fictional tales.
According to Quill & Quire, author Michael Turner has a reputation for using the whole toolbox of literary devices in his novels. In The Pornographer's Poem he constructed a narrative out of letters, film scripts, diary entries, monologues, and even some occasional passages of straightforward prose.
More recently, he's written an opera libretto based on a German children's fable, a screenplay for militant gay filmmaker Bruce LaBruce, and another screenplay in collaboration with B.C. artist Stan Douglas.
Turner is hosting a workshop on Writing Daily on Saturday, July 9. This session will focus on finding and maintaining writing time, as well as tips and exercises on how to get started. Turner will also join Elee Kraljii Gardiner in facilitating a special "Writing with Dinner" event that evening.
All workshops at Write on Bowen are limited to just 15 people to guarantee an interactive and intimate experience. The best deal for Write on Bowen is the full festival pass. At just $199 before June 1 (and $250 after), the pass provides participants with a packed weekend of writing and networking. To register, go to www.writeonbowen.com.
ALISON BATE
