The Branch Line
November 2014
The Write Network for You
www.canauthorsalberta.ca
Alberta Branch Office
P.O. Box 52007
Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5
www.canauthorsalberta.ca
The Branch Line Editor
Leanne Myggland-Carter
[email protected]
General Enquiries
Phyllis Shuell
[email protected]
Membership Information
[email protected]
Program Registrar
Leanne Myggland-Carter
[email protected]
National Contact Info
Phone:
705-653-0323
Fax:
705-653-0593
Toll-free: 866-216-6222
Email: [email protected]
www.canauthors.org
CAA Memberships
New Member - $112.50
Renewal - $157.50 per year
Student - $50.00 per year
CanAuthors Alberta Welcomes Lori Hahnel
Our Next Event: November 28 & 29
Friday, November 28 at 8pm, we invite you to join us for an enlightening conversation about the writing life with Calgary author Lori
Hahnel. She’ll answer questions like: How is the “dream” of becoming a writer both different and similar to the “reality” of being a writer? What helps or hinders the creative process? Where do the literary
community and having writer-friends figure into the experience of
being a writer? How can writers best negotiate the balance of work,
family, and writing? What’s an ideal writing routine? Is it normal to
feel so much self-doubt? Lori will share tips and advice on the writing process and offer some general advice on getting published.
(GST included)
Membership can be paid in full
or by installments. Applications
and more information are
available from the Alberta
Branch Membership Chair, Alberta Branch website or National
Office. Use above contact info.
Hahnel continued on page four
Important Notice
Parking passes will available on
the CanAuthors Alberta website
prior to our events that occur at
the St. John’s Institute. The passes allow you to park in the Safeway lot on the corner of 109
Street and Whyte Avenue.
www.canauthorsalberta.ca.
Inside This Issue
Media Release: 2015 Events Begin
Lieren-Young Workshop Review
Feature: Writing Retreats
Coach-in-Residence Reminder
Member News & Announcements
Literary Events & Information
Your 2014-2015 Board
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October Media Release
Media Release
CanAuthors Alberta Dream Writers Series
First Up in 2015: Dr. Ted Bishop
November 21, 2014
Edmonton, Alberta. On Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31 best-selling and award-winning
author Ted Bishop will present on the topic
“Dreaming in Ink” and lead “The Art and Craft of
Travel Writing” workshop.
Ted lives in Edmonton, teaches at the University of
Alberta, and writes with a fountain pen. His new
book, The Social Life of Ink: Culture, W onder, and
Our Relationship with the Word (2014, Viking/
Penguin), combines research and travel that has taken him from Samarkand to Budapest, from ancient
Chinese ink sticks to Bic ballpoint pens.
He is also the author of Riding with Rilke: Reflections on Motorcycles and Books, a Canadian bestseller named a Best Book by The Globe and Mail
and CBC’s Talking Books; it also earned him a
mention in Playboy magazine (alongside Pamela
Anderson). Additionally, it won the Edmonton
Book Prize, the Wilfred Eggleston Award and the
Motorcycle Award of Excellence (MAX!).
His shorter nonfiction has appeared in The Globe
and Mail, Geist, enRoute, Alberta Views, Avenue,
and Cycle Canada, as well as in the collections
What I Meant to Say: The Private Lives of Men, and
Edmonton on Location: River City Chronicles. His
travel essay “The Hawkman of Kandahar” won the
Prairie Fire award for non-fiction.
He has written about striding down the fashionshow catwalk, being caught in a small avalanche,
and reading a Kindle with an enchilada.
As Edward Bishop he has published articles on
modernist bookstores, archives, James Joyce, and
Virginia Woolf.
“Dreaming in Ink” will be a
presentation about how to
move from the gleam in your
eye to the print on the page.
Ted will read from The Social Life of Ink and discuss
the process of integrating
travel, research, and family
memoir in a work for a general audience. He will also
talk about the ancillary aspects of writing—from finding the right notebook to
finding the right editor, the
right publisher, and even the right shelf for your
work in the bookstore. There will also be
an opportunity to write with a straight pen and ask
questions about how to transform your own dreams
into ink.
Ted’s “The Art and Craft of Travel Writing” workshop will take shape around four elements: content,
structure, style, and publication. He will address
such questions as what is travel writing and what are
the building blocks of this genre? He will also cover
creative non-fiction, style, and the big Pitch.
You can get to know Ted even better, as well as
read his work and see his hand covered with ink,
at tedbishop.com.
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Contact: Leanne Myggland-Carter, Registrar
Email: [email protected]
More Info: www.sgpl.ca
From National
Call for entries for the Canadian Authors 2015 Literary Awards
Entries are now being accepted for the Canadian Authors Association’s 2015 Literary
Awards. Criteria and submission details are available in the CAA 2015 Literary
Awards Guidelines. Complete the CAA 2015 Awards entry form online, print it and
send it to us along with your submission and entry fee. The deadline for submissions is
January 15, 2015.
Entering its 40th year, the CAA Literary Awards program honours writing that
achieves excellence without sacrificing popular appeal. For more information about past winners, shortlisted
authors, and awards events, visit their awards page at http://canadianauthors.org/national/caa-literary-awards.
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www.canauthorsalberta.ca
CanAuthors Alberta News: Lieren-Young Review
Fall off your chair funny
Q&A From The Lieren-Young Workshop
By Carri Hall
On October 23, Mark Leiren-Young presented
“Real Funny” for CanAuthors Alberta in partnership with Edmonton’s LitFest. Leiren-Young is a
journalist, screenwriter, filmmaker, playwright and
stand-up comic. As you can imagine, his workshop
was informed by this vast experience in comedy
writing and performance.
Leiren-Young (L-Y) is the author of, among other
publications, two comedic memoirs: Free Magic
Secrets Revealed (2013)
and Never Shoot a
Stampede Queen: A
Rookie Reporter in the
Cariboo (for which he
won the 2009 Stephen
Leacock Medal for
Humour). If you are an
Edmonton Fringe-goer
from way back, you
might even have seen his play, W e Love you Brian
Mulroney and Other Horror Stories from 1992.
Why do some people laugh at certain scenarios
and others become offended by them?
Well, a good place to start with examples of what
workshop participants considered humorous:
Comedian John Oliver (political satire, Last W eek
Tonight), Arthur Black (radio), Bill Bryson (travel
humour, Neither Here, Nor There), Carl Hiaasen
(comedic mysteries, Bad Monkey), Dave Barry
(newspaper columnist), Erma Bombeck (columnist),
Hunter S. Thompson (e.g. his obituary for Richard
Nixon), Ian Ferguson (How to be a Canadian), Terry Fallis (Best Laid Plans) and Thomas King (Dead
Dog Café). Another example illustrating humour is
My Financial Career, an NFB short animation
based on a story by Stephen Leacock (www.you
tube.com/watch?v=9IV6xT00ZZ4).
How do you write humour? Are there
specific rules and guidelines? Does humour
include physical pratfalls?
Coincidentally, at one point in this workshop, L-Y
literally fell backwards off his chair. Although unintentional, the effect of the pratfall was not lost on
the workshop participants as a potential element of
humour. Fortunately, L-Y was unhurt and unfazed
and the show went on.
So why would that situation be funny or not? The
benign violation theory of humour, described in
The Humor Code: A global search for what makes
things funny by Peter McGraw and Joel Warner,
helps explain this.
This theory proposes that making us laugh requires
a situation that is a violation of our beliefs of how
the world or society should be; either we consider it
threatening, unsettling or wrong or we consider it
safe, acceptable and harmless. For the situation to
be seen as humorous, therefore, these conditions
must occur simultaneously.
So, in theory, sitting on a chair
and just talking is not funny (benign).
Falling off a chair and getting injured is
not funny (violation of norm). Accidentally
falling off a chair and not getting hurt is
potentially funny, especially in a humour
workshop, although most of us were
concerned and didn’t laugh.
Violations of norms can be physical, psychological,
behavioural, cultural, logical, linguistic or moral. To
be humourous, these violations must be made benign. To do this requires 1. distance (it happens to
someone else or occurs after a period of time), 2. a
situation that is not usually associated with a norm,
3. is a violation of a rule (a church has a raffle to
give away a Hummer in order to attract people to
the congregation), or 4. an alternative interpretation
or norm (expecting one thing and getting another, a
surprise twist).
Humour can even be used in business writing as
well as illustrated in this article by Ken Hegan in
Vancouver Magazine titled, “A Fully Funded Divorce” (www.vanmag.com/author/Ken_Hegan).
What are some helpful humour resources?
We also discussed humour in political humour and
satire. Examples can be found at:

The Onion which offers quirky, clever “fake
news in a dead-pan style looking sideways at
everything” (www.theonion.com)

The Lapine is the Canadian version of The
Onion (http://thelapine.ca)

This is That, the CBC’s radio program, is
another example

Spitting Image, a British satire completes the
list (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Doi1U7I1
CyU)
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Feature Article - Writing Retreats
Hahnel continued fr om page one
Then on Saturday, you can participate in the workshop Life Into Story.
Do you have a great story idea inspired by real life events but not sure
how or where or why to begin writing it? In this workshop you’ll explore characters, plots and settings
derived from real life. You’ll also
consider how closely fiction should
resemble real life, and whether some
ideas are better suited to fiction or
creative nonfiction.
Participants will:

Produce writing that may form
the basis of future work

Share ideas and creative writing with others

Gain insight into the process
of shaping ideas into fiction
The workshop takes place 9:30AM –
4PM and costs $40 for CAA members; $70 for non-members (lunch is
included). Register using PayPal:
www.canauthorsalberta.ca.
Both events take place at St. John’s
Institute (11024 82 Avenue) in Edmonton. Parking passes will be available on our website enabling you to
park in the Safeway parking lot on
the corner of 109 Street and Whyte
Avenue. Or, there is pay parking beside the entrance to St. John’s and
free street parking after 6PM.
***
Lori teaches creative writing at
Mount Royal University and has
served as writer-in-residence for Alberta Branch Canadian Authors Association and The Alexandra Writers
Centre Society. She has also acted as
a mentor through The Writers’ Guild
of Alberta.
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The Treat of Retreating
By Karen Bass
If you’ve been writing for any length of time you will know this truth:
There is no magic way to write that novel, or nonfiction book, or poetry collection. There is only the writer, the blank page, and the ink
spilled upon it (preferably in the form of words).
Oh, and that other essential ingredient, time. We need time to learn
our craft, to get down that first draft, and to revise. Where do we find
it in our busy lives, especially if we have to juggle family, a day job,
and writing?
It’s an ongoing challenge. I work at home, supposedly writing full
time. But often, the tyrannies of the urgent and the miniscule intrude:
the demands of housework, the Internet and my amazing ability to
procrastinate, welcome and unwelcome interruptions by family and
friends, and marketing and the business of writing. When I’m on a
roll, I can ignore almost anything, but that only happens in small
spurts. The rest of the time I struggle to stay on task.
For me, part of the solution has become writing retreats. This is why I
recommend them:
First, retreats offer time away from everyday life, and all those things
that pull me away from my writing. I’ve gone to the WGA retreat at
Strawberry Creek twice, and both times have found that being freed
from my routine has allowed me to focus on my writing with renewed
vigour. Think about it: no nagging housework, laundry, or meals to
cook. Maybe I need a maid (or a housewife?), but since that isn’t likely to happen, a few days away from those endless demands really increases my productivity.
Second, retreats offer the opportunity to unplug. I’m sadly weak when
it comes to staying offline. I’m trying to improve, but in the meantime
spending a few days in a place where I can’t connect significantly
boosts that word count.
Third, when built-in social times are included in retreats, at meals or
maybe in the evenings, lively writing discussions help to invigorate
me and increase my enthusiasm. I’m eager to get back to the keyboard
and continue writing.
Fourth, when I return home, that enthusiasm lingers for several days
and carries me into an extended period of productivity.
The downside of writing retreats can be their cost. It helps if you
claim writing expenses on income taxes, but there’s no denying that
cost can be a hindrance. I’ve found them worth the price, but that
might not be the case for everyone.
One solution can be to have a self-directed writing retreat. I once did
some housesitting for a friend. Yes, I still had to cook for myself, but
being away from everything else in my life allowed me to approxi-
www.canauthorsalberta.ca
Feature Article Continued - Writing Retreats
mate that writing retreat experience. I’d suggest you not get your
friend’s Wi-Fi password. You can still head to the nearest coffee shop
to connect, but if you’re caught up in that first draft or making progress on revisions, you aren’t likely to pack up and leave the house.
Coach in Residence
I’ve also simply stayed at a friend’s for several days. While she was at
work, I focused on writing. We relaxed together in the evenings.
Have you booked your appointment
with CanAuthors Alberta Writing
Coach in Residence Suzanne Harris?
The important part of a self-directed writing retreat that will make is a
success is the break from your normal routine. Cost doesn’t have to be
a factor if you get creative.
One thing to remember when you go on a writing retreat is to set some
goals. The first time I went to Strawberry Creek, I planned to work on
substantive edits for a manuscript under contract. The second time I
attended, I needed to get back into a first draft that was partially complete. Knowing exactly what I was going to work on helped me focus.
Another thing to consider
is what to take apart from
your laptop. With no Internet access you might
need a dictionary and thesaurus. Do you need a
print out of your manuscript? A notebook? Research books?
A Unique Opportunity Just
For CAA Members
Book your coaching session(s) today
and make a commitment to your own
growth. The focus of this coaching is
you. Coaching is a dynamic and personalized process so the agenda you
and Suzanne follow will be is unique
to you and your needs.
“We meet. I will ask questions. I
may poke, prod, and encourage.
We will look at what you are struggling with and come up with strategies to help. You will make plans.
You will complete any inquiries
and assignments that we agree on,”
explains Suzanne.
Then you will touch base periodically to see how things are progressing.
Know that what you get from coaching is directly aligned with what you
put into it.
That’s about it. A suitcase,
a plan, and a few precious
days with nothing to worry about except writing. If
you decide to try it, I’m
sure you won’t regret it.
* * *
Karen Bass is a CAA Alberta Branch member and winner of the 2013
Exporting Alberta Award for her YA novel Graffiti Knight. It went on
to win the Alberta Literary Awards R Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature. You can learn more about Karen and her novels on
her website karenbass.ca where she shares the following in her bio:
“First drafts consume me and I tend to lock myself away until they’re
done. My family is very patient. One of the challenges of writing is
how isolating it can be, so I am a member of several writing organizations: the Writers Guild of Alberta, YABS (Young Alberta Book
Society), TWUC (Writers’ Union of Canada) and the CAA (Canadian
Authors Association).
I travel as much as possible and enjoy exploring new places, which is
one of the reasons I also love reading, for the new experiences and
new places books take me. That, and I can’t resist a good story.”
To get started, fill out the web form
on the CAA Alberta website. To access the form, visit www.canauthors
alberta.ca/coach-in-residence and
click the “getting started” button. It’s
just that easy!
You are also invited to attend the
C-i-R drop-in group coaching sessions (held monthly prior to the CanAuthors Alberta Friday night speaker series) at the St. John’s Institute
(11024 82 Avenue) in Edmonton
from 6:30 – 7:45PM. Join us this
month before Lori Hahnel’s Living
the Dream—Sort Of presentation.
Group sessions will also take place
on January 30 before the Ted Bishop
presentation, February 27 before the
Business Skills for the Dream event,
and March 27 before the Dianne
Warren presentation.
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Member Postings
Gail Sidonie Sobat’s
Presentation
Joan Marie Galat’s
Branching Out Launch
Saturday
November 29
2:00-3:30PM
On November 29, The Wildbird General Store (4712 99
Street) in Edmonton is hosting
a book launch for Branching
Out: How Trees are part of
Our World—a new children's
title by Joan Marie Galat.
Owl’s Nest
Books & Gifts
815A 49th
Avenue SW
Calgary
Ella Zelsterman’s
B.C. Book Launch
Saturday
November 22
2PM PST
Martin Batchelor
Art Gallery
712 Cormorant Street
Victoria
British Columbia
There will be refreshments, a
free draw, and at least one
“surprise.” Although the
presentation is at 1PM, the
event lasts until 4PM.
Everyone welcome!
Glass Door Coffee House
Reading Series Next Lineup:
The Mill Woods Artists Collective presents the
following month-of-November headliners:
Lori Hahnel
Calgary Author & former CAA Writer-in-Residence
A CAA Trilogy!
On Saturday, November 1 Owl’s Nest Books and
Gifts in Calgary welcomed November presenter
Lori Hahnel, 2013 Writer-in-Residence Lee Kvern
and 2012 Exporting Alberta Award Winner Barb
Howard. Lori, Lee and Barb were celebrating their
popular publications:
Tracy Hamon “Red Curls”
After You've Gone Regina Poet
Mark Kozub, “Weird Edmonton”
Edmonton author, Communications Writer,
Musician, & Artist
Carrie Day
Singer / Songwriter
When: Thursday, November 27, 2014, 7-9PM
Where: The Koffee Café
6120-28 Avenue
in Edmonton (Mill Woods)
Tickets: Donations gratefully accepted
Host: Christina Hardie, Researcher & Storyteller
Two-minute open mic; books and CDs for sale
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www.canauthorsalberta.ca
Literary Bulletin Board
2015 Alberta Literary Competitions
DEADLINE: December 31, 2014
Info: www.writersguild.ab.ca
Contact: 1-800-665-5354
Calgary
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Our Partners
Your 2014-2015 Board
ELECTED MEMBERS
Past President
JANA
RIEGER
[email protected]
President
PHYLLIS SHUELL
[email protected]
Vice President
ABOUT US
VACANT
Secretary
ALEXIS MARIE CHUTE
[email protected]
Treasurer
KIM DEEP
[email protected]
MEMBERS AT LARGE
WHERE WE MEET
*NEW LOCATION*
St. John’s Institute
11024 82 Avenue
(unless otherwise designated)
ALVIN BARAGAR: Casino Chair
SUE FARRELL-HOLLER: WISP Coordinator
CHRISTINE FORTH: Program Chair
MERI HLADUN: Co-Secretary & Program Committee
JEANANNE KATHOL KIRWIN: Program Committee
WHERE TO REGISTER
KEITH MUNRO
www.canauthorsalberta.ca/
saturday-workshops using PayPal
SHUKRIJE PLLANA
LANA SHEPHERD: Acting Membership Chair
WHERE TO FIND US
www.canauthorsalberta.ca
www.facebook.com/caaalberta
@CAAAlberta
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
DISCLAIMER
The views of writers and contributors to The Branch Line are their
own and not necessarily those of the
editor or of the Canadian Authors
Association Alberta Branch. The
Branch Line allows free expression
within the confines of professionalism and factual accuracy.