RCLAS March 2015 Wordplay at work E-zine

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Submissions open now Deadline March 15, 2015 Winners will be announced April 1st, 2015

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3 categories: o non-fiction, (1500 words max) o fiction (1500 words max) o poetry (1 page single spaced max)

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1st prize - $100, 2nd prize - $50, 3rd prize - $25 3 honourable mentions in each category Winners and honourable mentions will be published 1st place winners read at LitFest New West “Written in the Stars” Gala, April 25 Fees $10 per entry for members, $20 per entry for non-members Multiple entries are allowed.

Previously published work will be accepted as long as author retains copyright.

Submit entry as a Word Document ( Font Times New Roman, Size 12)  Include Cover letter with Name, Address, Email, Category, Title, Payment info.  Blind judging.

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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

RCLAS WRITER OF THE MONTH

Candice James Poet Laureate, New Westminster

Candice James is a poet, writer, visual artist, musician, singer/songwriter, reviewer, and workshop facilitator. She is in her 2nd three year term as Poet Laureate of The City of New Westminster, BC CANADA. She is Founder, Director and Past President of Royal City Literary Arts Society; Past President of the Federation of British Columbia Writers; and Past Director of SpoCan. She is a member of both the League of Canadian Poets and The Writers Union of Canada. She also is founder of: “Poetry In The Park”; “Poetic Justice” and “Slam Central”. She has been keynote speaker at “Word On The Street”, and “Black Dot Roots Cultural Collective” and she has judged the Canadian “Pat Lowther Memorial Award 2015” and the “Jessamy Stursberg Youth Poet Award 2012” for the League of Canadian Poets.

She is Author of nine poetry books:”A Split In The Water” (Fiddlehead 1979); “Inner Heart – A Journey” (Silver Bow 2010); “Bridges and Clouds”(Silver Bow2011); “Midnight Embers – a Book of Sonnets” (Libros Libertad 2012); “Shorelines – a Book of Villanelles” (Silver Bow 2013); “Ekphrasticism – Painted Words” (Silver Bow 2013); “Purple Haze”(Libros Libertad 2014) and “A Silence of Echoes”(Silver Bow 2014).

Candice will be embarking on a Cross Canada tour in summer 2015 to promote her new book “Merging Dimensions” (Ekstasis Editions) which will be released in spring 2015.

Candice has featured at many venues both civic and public and appeared on television and radio. She has presented workshops, mentored writers; written prefaces and reviews, published articles, and short stories. Her poetry has appeared in many international anthologies and her poems have been translated into Arabic and Italian.

Email candicejames@outlook.com

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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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Building a Better Story: A Blueprint for Success Facilitator: Sylvia Taylor Hooks, Bridges and Wraparounds aren’t construction terms, they’re techniques writers use to grab and keep reader attention.

Learn practical tips and tools for building creative non-fiction from the ground up.

Location: New Westminster Public Library, 716 – 6th Ave, New Westminster To Register Call 604-527-4667 or email listener@nwpl.ca

cc March 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/

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-franci-louann/

March 8 Sunday 3 – 5 pm Poetic Justice featuring FRANCI LOUANN & ELLIOTT SLINN

Host: Sonja Grgar

http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-featuring-franci-louann-elliott-slinn-with-host-sonja-grgar/

March 15 Sunday 3 – 5 pm Poetic Justice featuring CANDICE JAMES & MANOLIS

Host: Lilija Valis

http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-featuring-candice-james-manolis-with-host-lilija-valis/

March 22 Sunday 3 – 5 pm Poetic Justice featuring HÉLÈNE LEVASSEUR & LILIJA VALIS

Host: Eva Waldauf

http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-featuring-helene-levasseur-lilija-valis-eva-waldauf/

March 29 Sunday 3 – 5 pm Poetic Justice featuring CHELSEA COMEAU & JANET KVAMMEN

Host: Sho Wiley http://poeticjustice.ca/event/poetic-justice-featuring-chelsea-comeau-janet-kvammen-with-host-sho-wiley/ April 5 Closed EASTER LONG WEEKENDs

What a night!

…and we have the photos to prove it!

Check it out https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.901628623192395.107374 1930.210914705597127&type=3

More Sad Love… © Bernice Lever “Heifer Dust” My life has been like a lover warm in bed but crying at the dawn as the light dispels the dream.

-----------------------------“You Cannot Make Love” You cannot make love any more than you can make a blade of grass, Nor can you take love; it is not available in demand, neither for fists nor tears, Just an unexplainable gift: free to give or to cherish. _________________ “Mental Suicide” I, too, have played the ultimate game: the Russian roulette of emotions, “Love me or ....”

Love in the Sixties

by Margo Prentice When I smacked into the six zero decade birthday I decided it was time to date. Date? I had not been on a date in forty years. I was apprehensive, but willing to give love one more try. I had been married, divorced and for a few years a non-dating single.

This tale of love in the sixties is not a nostalgic trip down memory lane… when there were hippies… Free love… and pot. I am now 77. My own sixties seem so long ago. However, I remember that time with a smile.

Before on-line dating, men and women met by placing ads in personal columns in local newspapers. It was like a blind date, without a personal reference. My dating ad profile read like this, “Sixty year old widow, five foot, five, one hundred forty pounds. Grown children. Likes to travel, play bridge and walks on the beach. Would like to meet healthy available man between ages of sixty and seventy. Non-smoker and occasional drinker. Friendship first. Object matrimony.

I put two ads in. The first ad was like the one I just read, the second ad I added, “Sexy, intelligent sixty year-old,” I always lied about my weight, in fact, every time I wrote an ad I dropped ten pounds. By the time I met “Mr. Right’ I was anorexic.

Reluctantly, I left my phone number with the answering service, and let them know I am interested in ad number 145, ‘The widower who likes to walk on the beach.’ I wait for the games to begin. Two days later I receive my first call. My heart is pounding when I answer the phone.

We agree on a time to meet at a restaurant. I missed going out on supper dates, I thought that eating out was a good idea. I realized later it wasn’t such a great idea, I gained weight dinner dating.

His name is Charles and we meet at a local restaurant. I am extremely nervous. He is tall and not too heavy, with a fringe of grey around his head. I think bald is sexy. He has false teeth but they were nice ones. We are served coffee before we order. In an unconscious old wifely habit I put sugar and cream in his coffee, stir it then push it back to him.

“I take it black,” he says, and pushes the other cup back to me.

We talk; I ask him how long he has been a widower. He is slow and faltering when he tells the dreadful gruesome details of his wife’s death. After his sad narrative he cries loud sobs.

I stand up put my arms around him and say, “You are not ready, to date. Your wife has been gone for only ten years.”

Rule #1. Talk quietly, respectfully for a few minutes about your departed and definitely don’t wail out loud in a public place.

At the second dinner date I did not stir my companion’s coffee. He sat at the table and when he stood to greet me I notice is overweigh and shorter than me. I am surprised. He is a handsome black man; I gave myself, a shake, “I’ve never done this before, I wonder what he is like?” He ordered steak, and all the fixings. I watch him eat his food and I am shocked. He talks will his mouth full, food falls from his mouth. He cannot stuff his dinner in fast enough. I can not see myself sitting across the table from him the rest of my life. The kicker is when he takes out his dentures out and sucks the meat from them. Did I tell you he was overweight as well? Two weeks after our date I heard he died of a massive heart attack. I don’t know why I wasn’t surprised.

Rule # 2. Don’t remove your dentures in public, wait until you have been married for a long time.

Another date that seemed promising is a doctor. We meet at his office. He is a tall good looking older man and looks impressive in his white coat. Drawback alert, he wears a hairpiece, an odd coloring of black and grey. It sat on the top of his head like a dead cat. I am willing to overlook that. He shows me his paintings, he likes art, and I like art. (I could take him shopping for a new ‘wig’.) I sit across his desk like I patient and we talk. It went well until he caught me off guard with, “Of course, we will have intercourse.” Huh? What a strange question. I look at him and the hairpiece, and then the hairpiece again, stand up, shake his hand and say, “I’m sorry I lost my girl parts in a bad accident,” I walk out of his office.

Rule #3. Do not wear a bad hair piece, toupee or wig.

Another date with a man that sounded perfect on paper! He is a successful businessman, divorced with grown children. We meet at a restaurant and as soon as the waitress drops the menus, he looks at me and says, “I hope you don’t mind, my children are sitting at the next table.

They are going to join us. We all scrunch into the booth and they start to question me.

“Would you mind very much if we came on holidays with you and Dad? And our Mom too, she always comes on holidays even after her and Dad divorced. We all live with our Dad you know, and we have five big dogs.”

I feel like I am being interrogated by the family police. I excuse myself to go the bathroom, slither to phone (no cells then) and call my daughter to come and get me. I return to the table, to tell them I have to hurry home and feed my pet python. I run to my daughter’s waiting car.

Rule #4. Don’t bring your children with you on a first date ever. Don’t bring an elderly mother or father either.

The younger man date; I am curious and tempted. On the telephone he convinces me I have nothing to lose and to meet him. Give it a try. We meet for coffee and I was surprised to see how much younger he was. He is an architect and starting his career. I ask why he wants date someone much older.

He said, “I always had a fantasy about having sex with an older woman.”

“Wow let’s stop here, weird even for me.”

I ask his name…… “John, McCormack,” he replies. ….. I know I am grasping at straws but I ask him,” Are you related to Kevin McCormack from Calgary?”

“Yes, he is my Dad.” is his answer.

“My dear boy, I cannot date you I used to date your father. We were lovers as well; this is just too yucky for me” Rule #5. Forget about dating a much younger man. Do not date anyone more than ten years younger or there is a possibility you did date the father.

There was one date where I met a weird guy. He thought I was an old hooker and offered me money. It must have been my ‘sexy ad.’ I told him, no I was not a hooker just missed my husband. I thought I would try a personal ad for company. He was not dead but was in jail for murder, and if he would found out he would find a way to kill us both if he thought I was having sex. Without saying goodbye, I ran out of the coffee shop and threw myself into the nearest taxi.

Rule #6. Have a escape plan if you don’t bring a car have someone know where you are to pick you up. Have enough money for a taxi. Meet your dates close to home.

What an adventure!

I had given up personal ad dating for a year when I decided to give it one more try. The first call I had sounded vaguely familiar but I could remember the voice so I agree to meet for coffee.

I walk into the coffee shop and I immediately recognize the man. It is the sobbing widower that I met the year before. I sat down, and after greetings he started to talk.” I am alone...my wife died of raving, consumptive, flesh eating…

I interrupt and say, “You don’t remember me, but we met last year and you told me about your wife and you cried uncontrollably. Have your feelings changed since then?”

“No, I still feel the same. I answer the columns to meet women, to have a shoulder to cry on,” I just knew that was my very last date with him EVER! The coincidence was strange so I answer another ad. A coffee date at a nearby shop. I am not as enthusiastic this time as I walk towards him. I see he is tall and handsome. I like his great smile and big blue eyes. We connect! We talk for hours and hours. Love in the sixties happens!

By strange a coincidence, he lived in the same area of the city I did. In fact, his condo building was next to mine. He lived in the next apartment block. The man of my dreams was the old boy next door.

The courtship was…… Hmm, there is another story here, “sex in the sixties.” Later I will write another story and tell all.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright Margo Prentice.

Margo reading at Vibe: Love Hangover, Anvil Centre, New Westminster, BC February 19, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z32Y8cpMdiU&list=UUPAG0nJHE1Tb44U75Z3HplQ

The Affair Š Jude Neale It was my fault I say when they ask me.

Just to know me is to know who snared who.

You came to me leaving no shadow.

And called me your sweet-heart and lamb I had no objection to drama for I was the one who could break both your knees with one glance.

It was your fault our love had no language – for to name it would have given it life.

My breath found yours in the shadows

and you twisted and twirled to escape.

I knew what was mine when I’d found it so did you when Saturday night in the kitchen I whirled when the radio played.

You danced with the devils below you.

I danced for the fire we had made.

Jude Neale

Jude and her husband Paul

Jude reading at Vibe: Love Hangover, Anvil Centre, New Westminster, BC February 19, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_jArwTum4A&index=3&list=UUPAG0nJHE1Tb44U75Z3HplQ

ON THE BEAT WITH LILIJA VALIS RCLAS SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC February 1, 2015 Host: Lawren Nemeth Songs offered tonight dealt with freedom (the free-range kind appreciated by chickens); love of all kinds – sugary, crazy, freeloading and hot yoga; a love who put the "good" in the goodbye "I'm glad you're gone..."; comforting and losing; a dog's resignation from pethood; black coffee and black cats; a time when no one was poor; floating on a magic carpet; and light for lost souls to guide them home.

We loved having Texan John Haynes and Feona Lim visit us.

They infused the group with a different energy. Hope they come back or perhaps Songwriters will visit Austin some day!

RCLAS SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC Renaissance Books February 8, 2015 Host: Enrico Renz Special guests: Singer/songwriter Candice James Photographer/videographer Ken Ader A night of some unique guitar playing, bluesy and mystical dancingly happy.

Any worries brought in to the place were swept out by the music.

Singers lamented broken love, make-believe dreams, loss and nothing left to lose; they traced the calligraphy of their hearts, went for a new life and celebrated life with cats with an attitude.

If you needed advice on how to get through life, you got it.

The last song was offered as a charm against difficult times, guaranteed by Candice to make you happy, no matter what. It's worked for her!

Video Playlist by Ken Ader https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpNIVzB0oQFwSGpB37somW6z4g4vxvgw Thanks everyone for a memorable evening.

- Lilija Valis

Lilija Valis; Synn Kune Loh & Dawn; Janene White Kent Avery; Candice James; Zara Lions Lavana La Brey; Paul Bech; Enrico Renz photos courtesy of Lilija Valis February 8, 2015

RCLAS SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC Renaissance Books February 15, 2015 Host: Enrico Renz

An evening of musical improvisation, learning about chords and notes, poetry, a poet's view of a legendary Eden-like community and writers' and film visions of a future for humanity we strongly want to avoid.

Closing with a happy song by Enrico Renz.

Workshops in Review "Travel Writing" Facilitator: Ruth Kozak February 19, 2015 New Westminster

Photos by Ken Ader and Janet Kvammen

"Travel Writing" with Ruth Kozak, Feb 19, 2015 From Notes Compiled by Sonya Furst-Yuen A good starting point for a travel writer is to keep an online journal or write online blogs.

By breaking down the blogs one at a time, you can compose separate articles for travel magazines.

Travel memoirs are also very popular because they can be developed into a book.

By writing memories down from the trips you have taken, whether through emails or simple blogs, they can represent a significant type of journey.

Some ways to aid you in the process are:

 using all your senses  adding people, dialogue, pictures  including links  starting with a strong beginning, perhaps  interviewing tourists/residents  describing the setting  using active verbs to add visual impact

a question

All these can be personal things with your own opinions and convey a sense of place by recreating the places on the page.

Suggested research: 1. "Bad Trips" - Keith Fraser (a compilation of writers' stories who experienced bad trips) 2. http://bcatw.org/ - "BC Association of Travel Writers" 3. Google "travel writing markets" (paying, online and freelance) to find out where to submit your articles; follow submission guidelines carefully.

Email: ruthaki1@shaw.ca to inquire about "useless words" list and/or a PDF version of her workshop handouts Website: www.ruthkozak.com Online travel blog: http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.ca/ Workshop Video by Ken Ader: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpNIVzB0oQFyaEH9WmgMzHCpbunTXmbJG

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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WORDPLAY – THURSDAY March 5, 7 PM at The Heritage Grill, Back Room , 447 Columbia street, New Westminster near Columbia Station. Guest host Elaine Woo 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! http://rclas.com/events/wordplaywriting-prompt-group SHORT STORY OPEN MIC NIGHT - Host Margo Prentice – every Second Wednesday of each month - Next session: March 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 March 16, 2015 – 6:30 to 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 WRITING FOR KIDZ : a writing group created for adult writers in any genre related to children Facilitator: Max Tell. Next Sessions: Mar 16 and Mar 30 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

Membership Application Annual fee $28 (including tax) Name _____________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ Telephone(s) _______________________________________________________ Email ______________________________________________________________ Website ___________________________________________________________ Skills/Interests ______________________________________________________

Genre(s) of Writing __________________________________________________

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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! RCLAS Volunteer Coordinator: Sonya Furst-Yuen 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

https://www.facebook.com/events/924512517566993/?fref=ts On Facebook

Thank you to our Sponsors 

Arts Council of New Westminster

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Judy Darcy

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The Heritage Grill

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New Westminster Public Library

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Chuck Puchmayr

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City of New Westminster

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Renaissance Books

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Wayne Wright

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Saddlestone International

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Silver Bow Publishing

March 2015

Thank you RCLAS members for your continued support.

Don’t forgot to submit to our RCLAS Write On! Contest

Wordplay at work

ISSN 2291-4269 Contact: janetkvammen@rclas.com RCLAS Director/ Newsletter Editor & Design