Sylvia Taylor is an award-winning writer, editor, educator, and communications specialist in Metro Vancouver. A past director of the Federation of BC Writers for 13 years and current director for the Arts Council of Surrey, she consults with authors and entrepreneurs, teaches writing-related skills, and is a popular conference presenter and adjudicator. Her works have appeared in anthologies and genre magazines in Canada and the US, and was shortlisted for the CBC National Literary Awards. With over 400 articles in print, she has edit-coached over 100 book manuscripts and hosts author-readings series in partnership with city libraries. Heritage House Publishing released her historical literary memoir, The Fisher Queen: A Deckhand’s Tales of the BC Coast, September, 2012.” www.sylviataylor.ca
Bernice Lever is a prize winning poet dedicated to improving the writing skills of teenagers and adults. She is a freelance editor for poetry and prose manuscripts. Born in Smithers, BC, Canada, Bernice now resides on Bowen Island. The founder of WAVES, literary magazine: York University - from 19721987 and has published over ten books of poetry, (Red Letter Day, Black Moss, 2014), a teaching/learning CD: The Colour of Words, and over 200 short prose pieces. She is an icon on the Canadian literary scene and has been presenting workshops for many, many years. Bernice’s workshops are warm, inviting and informal and full of information. Her knowledge encompasses most aspects of writing, publishing, marketing, editing and networking. Today, Bernice is also active in League of Canadian Poets, BC Federation of Writers, North Shore Writers, The Ontario Writers Society, World Poetry and RCLAS. www.colourofwords.com
Love Hangover: An RCLAS-Exclusive Call for Submissions
Are you feeling cheeky about love? Want a chance to share that unfortunate incident, either imagined or still haunting you from your tumultuous past? Maybe it’s time you dealt with that Love Hangover! Royal City Literary Arts Society, in conjunction with the City of New Westminster, is excited to call for members-only submissions to a unique performance opportunity at the Anvil Centre. VIBE is the Anvil Centre’s signature event, a quarterly, city-wide celebration of the arts with a party feeling to it. The next session is themed “Love Hangover” and takes place on February 19 from 6-8pm. It will be a raucous and irreverent event featuring live music and dance, a live wedding-dress making competition, and delicious cocktails and mocktails. And did we mention that admission is free? As part of “Love Hangover”, we are looking for RCLAS writers who are willing to read their own over-thetop writing about love, making it as fun as possible, leaving the room laughing from either the hyperbole or the humour. We want hilarity; we want to celebrate the playful, the comedic, and the ridiculous. Basically, we want your Harlequin. If you have writing that fits, we want you there performing! Submissions are open to both prose and poetry; the judge will choose from entries to fill 12 minutes of performing time.
To Submit: Submit:
Email 1-2 (in)appropriate works to secretary@rclas.com with the subject line “Love Hangover” Include in the body of the email your name, the name of your piece(s), and your contact information. Attach your work as Word documents or PDFs; do not include any identifying information in the attached pieces. Eligibility: Open to RCLAS members only Submitters must be available to perform between 6-8pm on Thursday, February 19. Deadline: 6pm on February 6, 2014 Blind judging: Aidan Chafe
Selected writers will be notified by email as soon as possible and will then be further briefed by RCLAS and the City of New Westminster’s Arts Programmer. Good luck to all – we can’t wait to see the results!
RCLAS WRITER OF THE MONTH
Ashok Bhargava
Ashok Bhargava is a poet, writer, committed community activist, public speaker and a keen photographer. Based in Vancouver, he continues to combine in his life, all of the above yet it is apparent that his main passion is poetry. Ashok writes both in English and Hindi, and has published several selections of his poems: Mirror of Dreams, A Kernel of Truth, Skipping Stones and Lost in the Morning Calm, among others. His poetry has been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. He has been a featured poet on CBC, CFMQ 105 radio and Channel M television. He was also featured at the Word on the Street, the Asian Heritage Month and International Story Tellers Festivals. Ashok has written for The Canada Times Magazine and the East West News, Asian Journal, The Link, Indo-Canadian Voice and many other newspapers. Ashok is a Poet Laureate of Axlepin Publishing House Philippines and recipient of many awards and distinctions. He holds a Masters Degree in Economics. He is an avid volunteer and believes donation of time enriches us spiritually. He is founder of WIN – Writers International Network Canada, a non-profit organization that discovers, nourishes and recognizes writers of diverse genres, artists and community builders. Recently he has been selected by The World Peace Poets to receive the "Poets Without Borders Peace Award" for his leadership of WIN and his journeys across the globe to celebrate poetry and collaborate with poets of the world.
Ashok Bhargava’s recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey November 2014
Group photo of international poets in front of statue of Sait Faik Abasiyanik one of the greatest Turkish writers of short stories and poetry/ Posing with plaque of recognition at the city hall of Tusla Istanbul /Ashok reading poetry and addressing public gathered in a plaza to celebrate anniversary of President Ataturk of Turkey/ Ashok receiving a plaque from Mayor of Tusla, Istanbul, Dr. Sadi Yazici/ With faculty and students of Sabanci University Istanbul
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Socializing with Italian and Turkish poets at Burgaza island
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Reading poetry at the auditorium of Sabanci University Istanbul
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Ashok and his wife, Aida enjoying sights and sounds of Istanbul
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With Prof. Dr. Nihat Berker , President, Sabanci University of Istanbul
Find Writers International Network Canada on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/177276492375696/?fref=ts W.I.N. Website: https://writersinternationalnetwork.wordpress.com/
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February 2015 View Calendar and Bios at www.poeticjustice.ca
HERITAGE GRILL, BACK ROOM 3-5 pm Sunday Afternoons—two features and open mic 447 Columbia St, New Westminster, near the Columbia Skytrain Station CO-FOUNDER & BOOKING MANAGER—Franci Louann flouann@telus.net Website & Facebook Manager, Photographer—Janet Kvammen janetkvammen@rclas.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/poeticjusticenewwest/
February 1 Sunday 3 – 5 pm Poetic Justice featuring CELESTE SNOWBER & SYLVIA TAYLOR
Host: Candice James, Poet Laureate, New Westminster
http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-featuring-celeste-snowber-sylvia-taylor-with-host-candice-james/
February 8 Closed Family Day Weekend Cloe February 15 Sunday 3 – 5 pm Poetic Justice featuring NEFERTITI SheLa MORRISON & MIRANDA PEARSON
Host: Alan Hill http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-nefertiti-shela-morrison-miranda-pearson-host-alan-hill/
February 22 Sunday 3 – 5 pm Today’s Location: Renaissance Books 43 – 6th Street, New West Poetic Justice featuring CECILY NICHOLSON & JENNIFER ZILM
Host: Sho Wiley
http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-featuring-cecily-nicholson-jennifer-zilm-with-host-showiley/
March 1 Sunday 3 – 5 pm Poetic Justice featuring dn simmers & RC WESLOWSKI
Host: Franci Louann http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-featuring-dn-simmers-rc-weslowski-with-host-francilouann/
RCLAS Board Social Night January 2015
Hazing through mirrors Staring at false illusions The truth is glaring © Candice James
hallway mirror reveals my dead mother peering at me: puzzled eyes meet ©Bernice Lever
Your soft voice calling Whispers of eternity In a slice of time © Candice James
slender curve of moon in the cool descending night yin and yang at rest © Cynthia Sharp
Horizons pull me Like the hidden hands of love Looming, then fading. © Candice James
Mist on mountains high Bellbirds sing through valleys green Breathtaking beauty © David J Delaney
Your soft voice calling Whispers of eternity In a slice of time © Candice James
I lie in tall grass Cloudless sky now feels in reach Childhood memories © David J Delaney
Rain slicked daffodils Feigning shades of liquid sun Swimming in wet eyes © Candice James
Leaves fall to the ground short lived though to the fullest new season - new life © David J Delaney
evening showers – leafless tree-branches drip wine into my cup © Ashok Bhargava
Rosy cheeks exposed
orange life jackets dot this ruffling, blue periwinkle morse code for swimmers ©Bernice Lever
A boy and Eagle their spirit now joined as one soar the heights of life. © David J Delaney
frost flowers etch perfect petals on tiny windows: abandoned toy car ©Bernice Lever
children’s laughter still resounds as winter winds blow. © David J Delaney
Awakening Flower pots hide seeds; to blossom when sun warms earth. Colour exploding. © Deborah L. Kelly
Paddy McCallum on CBC Radio: Goldfish fall from my mouth, and start to swim
Midnight Delights
Goldfish and frogs fall from the sky, into the lake then die, mouths wide open © Kate Austin
Comes Midnight Delights Having a Poetic Flair From writing lyrics © Hélène Levasseur
There’s a smudge of light where the moon should be, wisps of cool fog calling me © Kate Austin
A Vision
Long lazy Sunday and I spoke to no one but the apple woman © Kate Austin
It is prophesied That when the end of time comes That children will lead © Hélène Levasseur Celebrate There's Recovery Then Rehabilitation And Integration © Hélène Levasseur Serendipity With chances we meet It's un-premeditated Serendipity © Hélène Levasseur A painting by E.J. Hughes at VAG Coastal steamers and red arbutus, log booms pulled by yellow tugboats © Kate Austin There’s a smudge of light where the moon should be, wisps of cool fog calling me © Kate Austin
Lake Union Lake Union glimmers Coloured lights infuse the night Seattle sparkles © Kathy Figueroa Seattle Winter Seattle winter Red, yellow, purple flowers January blooms © Kathy Figueroa Lush Moss Lush moss carpets trees Cedar, Douglas fir tower Impish deer scamper © Kathy Figueroa Young lovers Share a book and an iPod. Multi media. © K.B. Nelson
Complementary Sunset over the mountains, Orange meets blue. © K.B. Nelson Romantic couples, Caring much for each other, Exuding passion. © Marc Mullo Together always, Vow of commitment to you, Forever as one. © Marc Mullo Ecstasy abounds, Having tied the wedding knot, Loyalty so true. © Marc Mullo Only between us, All that is good about life, Ours to glorify. © Marc Mullo Hearts pounding away, Pulses racing in rhythm, Comforting our souls. © Marc Mullo Crimson geraniums a sparrow comes to admire bird feeder’s empty. © W. Ruth Kozak
In a Bodrum market I buy striped Turkish slippers Memories of Istanbul. © W. Ruth Kozak
'The Lily Pond ' (Van Dusen Gardens) two ducks, bottoms up create a helix of ripples on the lily pond. © W. Ruth Kozak Alone in the Gardens My silence interrupted By a Jay’s harsh cry © W. Ruth Kozak
MY MOTHER’S WISDOM AS HAIKULIKE STANZAS © Franci Louann red bathing suits show up well at bottom of pool the gift of gab an advantage beware! there’s no curfew come home when it’s over don’t drive fast snow-packed lane— don’t stay in the car twelve kinds of Christmas cookies mean New Year’s good luck…
Make Me © Elizabeth Houlton Schofield From the Ambigrams collection
I stand in the doorway. You lounge at the table. You walked in behind me and sat down. I’m in a different dimension to you. You can walk, talk, sit down, look at me with that half smile playing across those lips I love to kiss. I stand, rigid, sentinel in the doorway waiting for the fight. Or the flight. “Are we going to talk about it or are you just going to sit there?” I ask. “We really should get going,” you say, unreachable. You’re doing this thing that you do when you’ve screwed up so badly you know we are at a tipping point. The smirk, one calf resting on the other as you turn your back on the open wound you gouged in my confidence with that blank benignity behind those Sinatra-blue eyes. We’re not going to talk about it, there’s no point. I know you’ve already left me. “We really should get going,” another order disguised as a request.
The text came three hours ago, punched me in the guts and redefined your commitment in four words. I’ve changed my mind. I had to get out of the empty house, as if closing the door behind would lock your flakiness inside. Stumbling around in the frigid, slashing rain I found the cemetery.
Thick, ancient markers, ground down by rain and wind had absorbed their legend of scratched names and sentiments, rooting a blanket of moss and patchy lichen as a coverlet over the remains. The owners of the crooked stones, long planted in the uneven grass are as undistinguishable as I. I’m a wraith, ripped from my living, breathing self by your unthinking words, left wandering, unlabelled in this half-world, until you deign to break the curse. I weathered the glances of the workmen I circled three times in the two hours before you came and sat at the table. “Are you alright, love?” on the third pass from a man half my age with twice your kindness. I slowly raised my eyes to his perch on the ladder. I had walked under him, not seeing until he spoke, his paintbrush dripping rain and paint on the huge granite slabs of the northern Yorkshire sidewalk. “Yes,” was all I said to him. You have brought me to this churlish response. I daren’t smile. He’d see the tears disguised as raindrops on my face. You passed me, unseeing, in your car as I dripped and slopped my way home. Anger rose in my throat, burning, dark. Who are you to leave my comfort in the hands of unknown men? Who are you to flay my self-respect? “I’m here, where are you?” You called my phone as I came up behind you unnoticed and shoved my key in the door.
I stand, planted in the doorway, suddenly released from the hurt and the wavering. “Well, let’s get going,” you say again. Make me.
Copyright Elizabeth Houlton Schofield
Workshops In Review "The Stuff of Stories" Facilitator: Lois Peterson January 17, 2015 New Westminster
Photos by Deborah L. Kelly and Sonya- Furst Yuen
"The Stuff of Stories" with Lois Peterson, Jan 17, 2015 From Notes Compiled by Sonya Furst-Yuen There is a difference between instruction and seduction --- you want to seduce your reader. "The Thing Theory" refers to material objects used in literature or the elements used in the story. This is "the stuff of stories". When we drop elements into our work, we not necessarily look at every aspect. However, this can be accomplished by drawing out existing elements through our writing:
physical
functional
personal
historical
anecdotal....extending the metaphor
Containers of all kind that we keep contain treasures. You can write about those treasures and what they mean to you. Time and emotion is the key when it comes to writing and writing is very emotionally driven. "The stuff" we have, we need to keep because as humans, we have a need to acquire possessions. Some of them are passed on through generations and have their own stories. A whole story doesn't always need to be told; just mentioning an object can draw a reader to your story. Because we all have different objects, they set us apart and therefore each of our stories is different. Using a tool to develop/describe/introduce a character can be very helpful to draw the reader's attention. A character's history can be developed through each tool in a story. Repetition of a particular item in your story can show significance to the reader. Therefore, they will be more likely to follow it throughout the story and connect to its meaning with the character and what it will reveal.
Suggested readings: "The Things They Carried" - Tim O'Brien "The Real Jane Austen: A Life In Small Things" - Paula Byrne "The Weekend Novelist" - Robert Ray "The Thing's the Thing" - "Prospect Magazine" - Hanna Rosefield Lois Peterson's blog contains a chart/grid to help follow this strategy by plotting each time the specific object is mentioned. Thus, as a writer you can choreograph when the object needs to be mentioned to make the result more effective. loispeterson.blog.com
Workshops In Review "Getting The 1st Draft on The Page� Facilitator: Perry Wilson January 20, 2015 New Westminster Public Library
Photos by Janet Kvammen
"Getting The 1st Draft on The Page" with Perry Wilson, Jan 20, 2015
From Notes Compiled by Sonya Furst-Yuen The first fundamental in writing is to determine whether you are "panster" or a "plotter". By taking a quiz, it will help you decide. If you are both, certain stages of writing can help you decide, but start as a "plotter".
Knowing what your style is helps you to move forward.
The first draft is the longest journey. Character profiles, "GMC" (Goal, Motivation, Conflict), prologue and setting are the first things to consider. Action happening after action is the "the string of pearls" for the writer. Consequences are vital for actions. The "Three Act Structure" can be imagined as a rack in your closet, as separating each hanger can be like building the arc of the story. Scripts are great examples or tips for story structures. Always read your first draft as a reader and try something new as a writer. Suggestion: Check "meetup" (http://www.meetup.com/find/) writing groups to help you learn and get feedback. Contact Perry Wilson Email: pawilson@pawilson.ca
Website: www.pawilson.ca
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SUBMITTING TO RCLAS Please send RCLAS your LITERARY EVENTS/BOOK LAUNCHES/CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS/CONTESTS Submit your literary events/readings/workshops/performances/book launches/call for submissions/contests and we will share them via our newsletter, events listings Facebook and website. Please Submit to RCLAS Events Listing Coordinator, Sonya Furst-Yuen at sonya.yuen@rclas.com Include all information typed within the body of the email (NO ATTACHMENTS PLEASE). Please write up your announcement in the simple format listed below: Title: Date: Time: Location: Contact Person: Email: Website: Description: Sticking to this format will allow us to copy and paste which will help ensure no errors are made in your listing. Please send your announcement as early as possible to give us adequate time to post.
Upcoming Events & Workshops Info: secretary@rclas.com Website: www.rclas.com POETIC JUSTICE - SUNDAYS 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM at The Heritage Grill, Back Room , 447 Columbia street, New Westminster near Columbia Station. Two Featured Poets and Open Mic Session. View updates and the schedule of Featured Poets and hosts at www.poeticjustice.ca Closed on Family Day weekend. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC NIGHT for New & Emerging Songwriters - SUNDAYS 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Join hosts Enrico Renz and Lawren Nemeth at Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster. Write it! Bring it! Sing it! Find them on their Facebook group “RCLAS New Westminster Songwriter Open Mic” to see the Weekly Word Challenge.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WRITING FOR KIDZ : a writing group created for adult writers in any genre related to children Facilitator: Max Tell. Next Sessions: Feb 2 and Feb 16 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Every other Monday at Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster. 604-525-4566 Drop-in Fee: $5.00/person at the door- includes refreshments. The wide range of purposes this new writer’s group may choose in its mandate may include giving children’s writers a safe place to meet and play creatively with writing, to share their writing, and receive valuable feedback. Info http://rclas.com/events/writing-kidz-max-tell-writing-group-created-adult-writers-any-genrerelated-children Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/321200594726045/?fref=ts
WORDPLAY - THURSDAY February 5, 7 PM at The Heritage Grill, Back Room , 447 Columbia street, New Westminster near Columbia Station. Guest host Saskia Wolsak WordPlay is a free monthly poetry-generating drop-in series. Wrap your mind around the writing prompts we provide. Try your hand at generating some fabulous first drafts, and free some fun! http://rclas.com/events/wordplay-writing-prompt-group your poetic heart! Bring your writing tools and paper. This is not a critique group. Let’s have some fun! SHORT STORY OPEN MIC NIGHT - Host Margo Prentice – every Second Wednesday of each month -Next session: February 11, 2015 7:00 to 9 pm at Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster. Bring your short stories. Read from your book, journal, essays. Story tellers welcome. Come to listen, bring a friend. Enjoy the beverages and snacks from the Renaissance Coffee Bar. Info http://rclas.com/events/short-story-open-mic-margo-prentice http://www.renaissancebookstore.com/ 604-525-4566
POETRY WARS: a study group – Host Carol Shillibeer Next session Monday February 16, 2015 – 6:3 0to 8:30 PM. New Location at 100 Braid Street Studios,100 Braid Street, New Westminster. What this study group will do is explore our literary environment (aka the poetry wars), read poems, reviews, texts, commentary. Think about it. Discuss it at the once-a-month study-group meetings. Info: http://rclas.com/events/poetry-wars
FEEDBACK & E-ZINE SUBMISSIONS
Drop us a line – Janet Kvammen, RCLAS Director/Newsletter Editor & Design janetkvammen@rclas.com Antonia Levi secretary@rclas.com
Open Call for Submissions - RCLAS Members Only Poems & Prose Call for Submissions on the following themes/features: Spring, April Poetry Month featurette Open Call: Poems, Short Stories, Book excerpts & Songs are welcome for submission to future issues of Wordplay at work. Submit Word documents to janetkvammen@rclas.com RCLAS Members: Please send us your latest news, feedback on our e-zine and any ideas or suggestions that you may have. LITFEST New West
APRIL 25 SAVE THE DATE
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Sonya Furst-Yuen is our RCLAS Volunteer Coordinator. If you would like to participate in a single event, or make an even bigger contribution, please contact our volunteer coordinator. sonya.yuen@rclas.com
Thank you to our Sponsors
Arts Council of New Westminster
Judy Darcy
The Heritage Grill
New Westminster Public Library
Chuck Puchmayr
City of New Westminster
Renaissance Books
Wayne Wright
Saddlestone International
Silver Bow Publishing
February 2015
Thank you RCLAS members for your continued support. Wishing you all a creative year! Happy Writing!
Wordplay at work
ISSN 2291-4269
Contact: janetkvammen@rclas.com RCLAS Director/ Newsletter Editor & Design