Waking Up A Writer

This is a great opportunity to see author, Nino Ricci speak in Princeton, New Jersey!

CALENDAR / EVENT LISTING

 When: Wednesday, April 20
4:30 – 6pm
What: Extraordinary Canadians:  Nino Ricci on Pierre Elliott Trudeau
A reading and discussion with internationally-acclaimed, award-winning author Nino Ricci as he revisits the life and influence of Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Trudeau is the subject of a recent biography written by Ricci for the series “Extraordinary Canadians” published by Penguin Canada.  Trudeau also makes an appearance in Ricci’s recent award-winning novel The Origin of Species. 

In addition, an advance clip from the forthcoming documentary on Trudeau, featuring Nino Ricci, will be screened courtesy of PMA Productions.  The television documentary will air in Fall 2011 on Rogers OMNI and The Biography Channel as part of the Extraordinary Canadians documentary series.

Love him or hate him, Pierre Trudeau marked us all. The man whose motto was “reason over passion” managed to arouse in Canadians the fiercest of passions of every hue, ones that even today cloud our view of him and of his place in our history. Nino Ricci takes as his starting point the crucial role Trudeau played in the formation of his own sense of identity to look at how he expanded us as a people, not in spite of his contradictions but because of them.
“If he hadn’t existed, we would have had to invent him. In many ways, of course, we did.”
~ from Pierre Elliott Trudeau by Nino Ricci

Who:

 Nino Ricci’s first novel, Lives of the Saints, garnered international acclaim, appearing in fifteen countries and winning a host of awards including the Governor General’s Award for Fiction and the Books in Canada First Novel Award, and in England, the Betty Trask Award and the Winifred Holtby Prize.  It formed the first volume of a trilogy that was completed by In A Glass House and Where She Has Gone, which was shortlisted for the Giller Prize for Fiction.  The Lives of the Saints trilogy was adapted as a miniseries starring Sophia Loren and Kris Kristofferson.  Ricci is also the author of Testament, co-winner of the Trillium Award, and The Origin of Species, which earned Ricci his second Governor General’s Award for Fiction as well as the Canadian Authors Association Fiction Award.  Ricci’s most recent book is a biography of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, part of Penguin’s Extraordinary Canadians series. 

 How:
Free and open to the public.

Hosted by the Canadian Studies Program at Princeton University.

 To purchase copies of Pierre Elliott Trudeau and The Origin of Species, please visit amazon.com

Where:
Princeton University
Robertson Hall
Room 015

Media Contact:
Saverio Mancina
Marketing & Communications Advisor
202-468-7644 mobile
mancina1966@yahoo.com

Mara Feeney’s novel, Rankin Inlet is a beautifully written piece of Canadian literature that truly captures the spirit of the north. The Arctic is a place of harsh terrain and skilled survivors; it may be geographically isolated but the connections between the inhabitants are deep and lasting.

The story is presented from the point of view of several characters in the form of diary entries, letters and oral history, spanning nearly 30 years. It all begins in March of 1970 with Alison a British nurse/midwife, who finding jobs scarce in England, chooses the adventure of administering healthcare to the Inuit people in an isolated community in Canada’s Northwest Territories. One of her Inuit patients, Kublu is comatose and is visited frequently by her father, Nikmak. It is through the stories he tells to try and awaken his daughter that the culture, values and fierce devotion of the peoples of Rankin Inlet are revealed. Kublu’s older brother, Ivaluk the brilliant hunter is another key voice. He represents the generation of youth beginning to break away from the old ways.

As the story progresses the lives of these people become intertwined. Alison falls in love with Ivaluk and must commit to a new way of life, learning to raise a family in the sometimes desolate Canadian Arctic. Coming to terms with cultural practices proves to be challenging as does stretching resources to provide for a growing family. Ivaluk often communicates his frustrations and joys with his adopted brother, Thomasie, who takes an important role in government, helping to bring about the creation of the province of Nunavut.  As their family grows, we are introduced to Alison and Ivaluk’s youngest daughter, Ukaliq who treats us to the perspective of an Inuit youth with a bright future. The threads of all of their stories create a wisely woven tale that shows us that all people, no matter how diverse their backgrounds may be, are connected by the common thread of love.

Writers Take Note:

The actual settlement of Rankin Inlet is a place well known to the author. Mara Feeney is very familiar with the culture and customs of the Inuit people of this area, which is why her novel is so authentically written. It is always beneficial to write what you know.

Author Info:

Mara Feeney travelled and worked extensively in Northern Canada, becoming acquainted with the land, people and culture of the Northwest Territories. She has a degree in Anthropology and has a career in socioeconomic consulting. Rankin Inlet (2009) is her first novel, published by Gaby Press. This book is available through http://www.gabypress.com/ or through http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.amazon.ca/.

Note: I received a reviewer copy of this book.

Genre: non-fiction, biography

 Pierre Elliott Trudeau by Nino Ricci is a biography in the Extraordinary Canadians Series that is well worth reading. Ricci delves into the public and personal life of former Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Ricci’s insight and understanding of human nature and his ability to get at the heart of a subject is what makes this little biographical portrait a tremendous treat to read.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau is arguably the most charismatic Canadian political figure in recent history. He impacted a nation with his contradictory personality and his antics; he captivated the world with his love affairs and doomed marriage. Noted for both his compassion and his arrogance, Trudeau was a man both adored and loathed as a public figure. Nino Ricci’s anecdotes of his own lifelong fascination with Trudeau, stemming from childhood, lends this biography a personal tone that encourages us all to examine our own memories associated with this political icon.

This biography uncovers so much of Trudeau as a son, a man, a philosopher and a politician. It is a well-defined portrait of a complex individual whose political policies helped evolve Canada into the nation it is today. Ricci recounts the most memorable events of Trudeau’s political career, from his “Just watch me” war measures reaction to the October Crisis to his “taking a walk in the snow” brief first retirement from Canadian politics. Likewise, Ricci examines many of the defining moments of Trudeau’s personal life, including his father’s sudden death, his mismatched marriage to Margaret Sinclair and the tragic loss of his son, Michel just two years prior to his own death. Many of Trudeau’s foibles are brought to light, but Ricci takes care not to exploit them; he simply provides enough to paint an accurate picture.

Nino Ricci neither asks us to love nor hate Trudeau; he only suggests we examine the life of an intriguing man who greatly impacted the identity of Canada as a nation. I now understand the meaning of Trudeaumania, and why Pierre Elliott Trudeau considered himself a “citizen of the world.”

Writers Take Note:

Writing a biography of a public figure requires attention to detail, thorough research and a profound knowledge of the subject. Nino Ricci has made himself an expert on Pierre Elliott Trudeau and makes careful reference to his sources. His portrayal is accurate and derived from a variety of reliable sources, including the writings of Trudeau himself.

Nino Ricci adds his personal perspective of Trudeau into the book; however, he presents a relatively unbiased view of Trudeau, exploring many facets of the man’s personality, public life, political strategies and private struggles. Thus, allowing readers to form their own opinions.

Author Info:

Nino Ricci has written several novels including; Lives of the Saints (1991), In a Glass House (1995), Where She Has Gone (1998), Testament (2003) and The Origin of Species (2010). Ricci is an internationally acclaimed writer who has twice won the Governor General’s Award for fiction. Pierre Elliott Trudeau (2009) is part of the biographical series of Extraordinary Canadians, edited by John Ralston Saul and published by Penguin Canada. Please visit the following link to see all of the biographies in the Extraordinary Canadians Series http://www.extraordinarycanadians.com/

For more information on Nino Ricci and his writing please visit his website http://ninoricci.com/

Note: I received a reviewer copy of this book.

What goes through a therapists mind during a session with a patient? How do you determine if your therapist is right for you? Potential answers to these and many other important questions are addressed in Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn’s book, In The Therapists’s Chair.

Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn has written a book that is relevant to psychotherapists, their patients and to those who are considering psychotherapy. By presenting real-life case studies from her psychology practice, she provides a glimpse into the mind of a therapist who examines her own personal reactions and her patient’s needs while she evaluates the most appropriate course of treatment for the individual.

There is an almost voyeuristic quality as psychologist, Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn delves into her experiences dealing with such delicate situations as whether or not to accept gifts or hugs from her clients. She reveals what it is like to work with patients who have eating disorders, patients who suffer from self-hate, patients with relationship issues and patients recovering from abuse or trauma. Each case is discussed in detail, providing the reader with an accurate picture of the therapist’s thoughts, decision making processes and the methods she uses to deal with her own emotional state in response to her patients.

You will discover how and why therapists set doctor-patient boundaries, and come to understand the delicate thread of trust that connects therapist and patient. Learn why therapists don’t just dispense advice, instead allowing the patient the opportunity to draw their own conclusions, making their own realizations.

In the book, In The Therapist’s Chair, Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn clearly expresses that she is committed to acting in the best interests of her patients with compassion and propriety. Would be psychotherapists will find a wealth of useful information and gain an understanding of what to expect as they enter this profession. Patients and those seeking psychotherapy will be put at ease by the professionalism, care and lack of judgement that is exposed in this foray into the mind of a therapist. Knowing what goes on in the mind of a therapist may make the idea of seeking professional help less daunting.

*Note: I received a reviewer copy of this book.

Writers Take Note

A professional such as Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn, writing about an aspect of her chosen field will be more credible to the reader over someone who is not an expert or is lacking in experience in that profession. It is true that it is better to write what you know, but it is not a strict requirement. When writing about a topic, where you personally lack expertise, it is important to seek assistance from an expert and do in-depth research on the topic you are writing about.

Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn includes relevant quotes within the chapters of her book. Well placed quotes can enhance the material presented, adding greater depth to the writing. Choose the quality of the quotes carefully and ensure that the placement of the quotes do not interrupt the flow of the writing itself.

When writing about real people or case studies be sure to obtain the appropriate permissions, and protect the anonymity of the people you are writing about as required.

Author Info

Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn is a seasoned psychotherapist with a career spanning 15 years. Her private practice is located in Manhattan; she specializes in treating a variety of psychological disorders. Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn is also the Psychology Internship Training Director and Clinical Supervisor of the Trauma Program at the Karen Horney Clinic in Manhattan, as well a faculty member at the New York Institute for Psychotherapy Training.

In The Therapist’s Chair(2010) is published by Xlibris Corporation.

For more information on Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn’s impressive accomplishments and credentials, please visit http://www.drjacquelinegunn.com

Genre: Non-fiction, memoir

Fans of Catherine Gildiner’s childhood memoir Too Close To The Falls (1999) will be delighted with her coming of age memoir  After The Falls (2009). Gildiner transports us into the life and consciousness of herself as a young woman, battling the awkwardness of youth as she emerges into a capable young woman.

Cathy McClure (Gildiner) begins After The Falls where Too Close To The Falls leaves off, with thirteen year old Cathy being uprooted from Lewiston to make a fresh start in Buffalo after her expulsion from Catholic school. Her trials as a young teen are told with humour and heartache. Cathy’s sheer will to fit in makes her the star of her school in terms of popularity. Despite her ability to be a social chameleon, she is plagued by the feeling that she is somehow different from everyone else.

Entering college as an open minded outsider, forces Cathy to realize that there are some values she will not compromise in order to blend in; she does not take part in the sorority scene. She also meets her first love during this exciting time. Finding out he is married is a crushing blow that serves to cast off her childlike naivety and catapult her into womanhood.

Cathy’s uniqueness is part of her charm and a source of strength. It keeps her moving forward in her life, while providing stability for her family when her father is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Gildiner paints a bittersweet picture of her relationship with her father in his last years, and proves herself to be exactly the kind of girl her father would be proud of.

After The Falls is described as a coming of age memoir of a young woman in the sixties. From cultural references to Gildiner’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, the reader is transported to a time of sweeping changes in America as seen through the eyes of a young woman as she searches to find out where she fits into the scheme of things. After The Falls is filled with teen angst, self-consciousness, pride, first loves and undeniable devotion. Gildiner does a fine job of telling this remarkable, true story.

Writers Take Note:

Gildiner focuses on the tenderness of her relationships; despite her difficulties with her father in his deteriorating condition, she keeps returning to earlier memories of camaraderie between her father and herself. This gives the readers a true sense of the depth of their bond. These flashbacks serve to connect Too Close To The Falls and After The Falls, linking the narrative and providing insight into their father-daughter relationship.

Though Gildiner uses flashbacks, the majority of the story is told in chronological order, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the narrative thread of Gildiner’s life. 

 Author Info:

Catherine Gildiner is the author of three books; her best-selling childhood memoir, Too close To The Falls (1999); her follow up memoir After The Falls (2009) and a novel titled Seduction. If you would like to learn more about Catherine Gildiner please visit http://www.gildiner.com/

After The Falls is currently available in Canada, and is set to be released in the United States as of November 1, 2010 by Viking.

Written by Metaxa Cunningham

Genre: Creative non-fiction, novel

Extraordinary memoirist Jeannette Walls maintains her reputation as she extends her talents to novel writing. Half Broke Horses is a true-life novel based on the life experiences of Walls’s maternal grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. Though she is adventurous and daring, Lily’s strength is put to the test.  Jeannette Walls deftly brings the past to life, illuminating the struggles and triumphs of an indomitable spirit.

Aided by the memories of her mother, Rosemary Smith Walls, Jeannette Walls stitches together a creative narrative depicting the life of ranch woman, Lily Smith. Our first impression is of a young Lily, ensuring her sibling’s survival during a flash flood on their homestead in Texas. Growing up, she proves her skills as a horsewoman and assists in the operations of her father’s ranch. Later, her resilient nature sees her through a marriage to a bigamist and a failed attempt as a school teacher.

Lily’s second marriage, though happy provides its own challenges. She is blessed with children and in order to help secure their future and achieve her dream of having land of her own, she engages in some interesting money making ventures.

Half Broke Horses is a satisfying read that will take you back to the time when horses were just being replaced by automobiles as a the primary form of transportation, and women were beginning to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable by society. Truly enjoyable.

Writers Take Note:

Creating authentic dialogue makes the characters more real and believable for the reader. Walls utilizes common terms and slang from the time period of the story in the dialogue she writes. More importantly, she doesn’t over use it, because that could endanger the likability of her characters, rendering them as uninspired stereotypes. Appropriate use of slang and phrases for a particular time period can be used to enhance a story.

About The Author

Jeannette Walls is an award winning writer and journalist. She is the author of  The Glass Castle.

Written by Metaxa Cunningham

In the wake of a failed marriage and a unstable affair, Elizabeth Gilbert makes the choice to embark on a personal journey. Her travels to Italy,India and Indonesia are chronicled in her bestseller Eat, Pray, Love (2006).  As of August 2010 Eat, Pray, Love will be released as a film starring Julia Roberts.

Elizabeth Gilbert divides her journey into three parts. Her first stop is Italy where she takes the opportunity to nourish her body and rebuild her physical strength before she moves onto the idea of truly connecting with her spirituality. In India, Elizabeth finds herself living in an ashram studying under a guru and learning to mediate. Quieting her mind, praying and developing patience with herself prove to be daunting tasks. Gilbert is successful at purging herself of much of the pain she had been embracing from her divorce and the affair that followed. She leaves India having made peace with herself, which enables her to move forward. Her subsequent stay in Indonesia is the part of her journey where she discovers the love of her life, Felipe. Gilbert learns to love herself and gives herself permission to be free to fall in love again.

There are several reasons why this book is so appealing. Everyone wants to achieve satisfaction in life; Gilbert doesn’t just want, she achieves. She has the guts to do what many people do not, walk away from an unhappy situation and redefine herself and her place in the universe. She sheds the skin of a life that no longer fits and emerges a new, stronger woman. Finding true love is the other major draw of Gilbert’s journey. The path of true love is the one road every woman hopes to stumble upon. Eat, Pray, Love is memoir that resonates with many readers.

Writers take Note Elizabeth Gilbert kept journals throughout her travels, and was able to record her experience in detail. Keeping a journal makes it easier to recreate key conversations that bring authenticity to her work.

Gilbert divides her book into three sections that correlate with each of the places she visits. She also subdivides those sections into small chapters, which makes it easy for readers to devour this book quickly, leaving them wanting more.

About The Author Elizabeth Gilbert is an author and journalist. She has written for publications such as GQ. Her newest book is Committed a follow up to Eat, Pray, Love.

Written by Metaxa Cunningham

Do you want to honor someone special in your life? Is there a certain important person that you would like to recognize? Try writing a heartfelt tribute. The four things you need to keep in mind when writing a tribute are purpose, format, generating ideas and presentation.

Consider Your Purpose

There are many reasons to write a tribute to honor a loved one. You might wish to honor someone special on a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion; you may be asked to write a memorial for a deceased loved one, or you may just want show someone your appreciation. No matter the reason, the fact is that tributes are meant to be shared. You may be tempted to adopt a formal tone to impress your audience, but unless you are writing a memorial, I find the best tributes have a casual tone that compliments the person to which the tribute is being made.

Think about the dynamic of the audience you are writing for. What would they appreciate? This will help you decide if you want the tribute to be serious, light or humorous. Ultimately, the person you are truly aiming to please is the person you are writing about. Keep their tastes, and what is meaningful to them in mind when you compose the tribute.

Experiment With Format

Tributes take many forms, and whether they are publicly shared or just between the two of you there are numerous formats to experiment with.

• Write a Poem: Poetry is a lovely, sentimental way to convey your appreciation for someone. This format allows you to be creative and play with words. If you want your poem to sound sincere, avoid over rhyming.
• Write a Speech: Speeches are meant to be heard out loud. If you are writing a speech, keep in mind that you will also be expected to deliver it. A speech should have a beginning that addresses the audience, a middle filled with content, ideas and examples that are relevant to your subject and an end. The ending should culminate in thanks and appreciation of the person(s) to whom it is being addressed.
• Write a Song: This is great if you are musically inclined. Who wouldn’t be flattered knowing they are the inspiration for a song. If you choose this format, you must be prepared to perform.
• Write an Article or Blog Post: This is the most public of all formats. Since you are posting it online, it has the potential to be read by many people: both friends and strangers. Understand that the information you are putting out there is out there forever. Be sure that what you are writing is something that you and the person you are honoring are both comfortable with. Once it is out there, it’s out there.
• Write a Letter: This is a more personal form of tribute as you are just addressing the person you are writing the tribute for. Your beginning should address the reason you wish to honor them; the middle should provide examples of what makes them special to you; the end should culminate in a sincere thank you.

Generating Ideas

The following are some methods that will help you generate some ideas and develop a tribute:

• Make a list of this person’s attributes. Are they kind, generous and honest? Make a list of as many character traits as you can. Use a thesaurus to help you choose effective sounding adjectives.
• Create a mind map. Put your loved one’s name in the center and draw lines coming away from that. At the end of each line, write one attribute and draw a bubble around it. Then, draw a line from each attribute and write an example that showcases that trait and draw a bubble around it. These examples can be memories you have of this person or examples of their deeds or accomplishments. The more personal the examples are, the more effective the tribute will be.
• Take 10 or 15 minutes and free write about the person. This means you will write whatever comes to mind without stopping. Do not worry about grammar and spelling or if it makes sense. Just write. The objective here is to just get some ideas down. You will go back and organize them later.
• Write down stories, examples of your loved one’s warmth and generosity, as well as ways you know they have positively affected others.

Presentation

Organize the elements of your tribute in an  order that makes sense. You can go chronologically or you can categorize. Be sure your narrative flows nicely. Edit it well to ensure that you do not repeat yourself. Read it out loud, and bounce it off of others. These people should know the person you are writing about, so they will have a sense of what that person would like. Avoid including any details that might embarrass the person you are writing the tribute for. The whole objective of a tribute is to sincerely thank or honor a person who means a lot to you. A tribute is a gift meant for sharing.

If you would like to see an example of tribute in personal essay format check out Rumor Has it: My Father isn’t Really Superman 

http://open.salon.com/blog/metaxa_cunningham/2010/05/29/rumor_has_it_my_father_isnt_really_superman

Written by Metaxa Cunningham

You know it is time to create a writer’s journal when your computer monitor, desk, bulletin board and lampshade are covered in sticky notes with half thoughts and a mishmash of ideas and observations written on them. It seems like a good idea to leave notes to yourself where you are likely to see them, but when it begins to look like a clutter, the notes go unread, are tossed  out or end up covered over by new notes. A better solution is to create a writer’s journal, where you can keep your ideas together and potentially organize them.

The following writer’s journals can be used separately or together to collect ideas, images and information that may inspire or enrich your writing:

The Pocket / Purse Journal

This is the little journal you take with you where ever you go. It is on the frontline with you, and is easily stowed away in your pocket, purse or backpack. This journal should be small and slim; it will fill up quickly, so you should buy several of them. There are a few things to consider when purchasing and keeping a pocket journal.

• Buy cheap, simple, small journals from a discount or dollar store. There is no need to buy fancy little notebooks, as you will use them up quickly.
• Transcribe the notes from your pocket journal into a master journal often, because these journals are too small to organize your ideas and are easily misplaced or lost.
• Jot down ideas, quotes, snippets of conversation, descriptions or anything that inspires you. Don’t obey rules of grammar or structure, just get those ideas down.
• Make sure your pen has a clip on it, or have a compartment in your bag that will keep your pen and journal together. One is useless without the other.

You can use a smartphone instead of a paper journal. A smartphone should have a place where you can make and store notes to download onto your computer at a later time. The only drawback is that it may result in using up a lot of memory and slow down other functions on your phone if you don’t remove that information and store it on another electronic device.

The Master Journal

Think of this journal as a place to organize and categorize your ideas. This journal should be kept handy when you are at home, and it is the place you should transcribe and organize the notes you have taken from your pocket journal that you deem worthy of keeping. There are a few things to keep in mind when organizing your master journal.

If you are a very organized person consider

• a notebook that is already divided into sections or a binder that you can add dividers into.
• labeling your divided categories in a way that makes sense for the type of writing you do. Examples of categories could be story ideas, recalled memories, research, and miscellaneous. Set it up in a way that suits you.
• using a laptop, notebook, netbook or ipad. An electronic device provides many possibilities for organizing your ideas. It may not be as handy for those times when an idea comes to you that you need to write down immediately before you forget it, if you have to wait for the device to load. If you are using this option, make sure to back up your files.

If you are not a very organized person consider

• using any type of notebook as long as it is bound, and use color coded sticky flags to remind you of what section the information belongs in.
• using an accordion type of folder that is already separated into sections, that you can put loose notes or images that you wish to keep.

Remember…

The purpose of keeping a writer’s journal is to record ideas or collect information that you might like to use to inspire your future writing. If you have a good strategy for organizing your journal, you will have an easier time finding the information when you need to use it.