Success in Moncton

Moncton gave UNB Writer-In-Residence, Catherine Bush, a very warm welcome Saturday evening. A large group turned out for the workshop "Fiction in Motion" with even more people dropping by later for the reading from Claire's Head at the Attic Owl Bookstore on Queen Street. What a wonderful way to spend an evening!

The WFNB Fall Workshops continue this weekend in Sussex with Sandra Phinney. Here's the word on that event --

Atlantic Canadians are turning out tales like never before. Some are publishing personal essays, while others are recording family histories, helping relatives with their memoirs, or writing vignettes to accompany photos for their scrapbooks.

Whatever the motivation is, writing is in. However, some people have trouble starting the process. That’s where a workshop comes in mighty handy.

Sandra Phinney is delivering a writer’s workshop called “Putting Your Memories to Work.” She says that everyone has amazing stories to tell - personal vignettes about growing up, or a particular incident that is etched in one’s mind.

The focus of this workshop is writing memoirs. Part of the workshop will focus on writing personal essays, as well as learning where to publish them.

Phinney says, “Lots of people want to write. The biggest problem is trying to figure out where to begin. If you have a pulse and can breathe, you can write! This workshop is designed to get people started. By the end of the afternoon, you will have a bag full of inspiration and writing tools to keep you going.”

WFNB Director, Karen LeBlanc, is organising the event. She says, "This is the perfect kind of workshop to get the creative juices flowing. Some people may want to write a memoir for publication while others may want to pass on some family recollections as a gift to their family. Phinney has a fine reputation in Atlantic Canada for giving workshops and participants always come away inspired.”

Phinney writes features for Canadian and US magazines. She also has two books under her belt: Risk Takers and Innovators: Great Canadian Business Ventures Since 1950 and a children’s book, Pierre Elliott Trudeau—The Prankster Who Never Flinched, which launched this fall.

Phinney is a member of the Periodical Writers Association of Canada, the Canadian Authors Association, the Canadian Association of Journalists and the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia. She also writes poetry and short stories and delivers freelance and creative writing workshops throughout Atlantic Canada.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 1-3 p.m. at the Sussex Public Library on Magnolia Ave in Sussex, NB. For more information contact Mary Hutchman (506) 459-7228/ wfnb@nb.aibn.com. Mail registration fee $25 member /$30 non-member, payable to WFNB, to WFNB PO Box 37, Station A, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y2

There's still plenty of time to sign up, so let Mary know you'll be coming. See you there!