Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost
possible degree. -Ezra Pound [ABC of Reading]
Good Morning Patrick, Thank you for the excellent pictures. You are one talented photographer. You and your wife are entitled to 2 tickets each and I will make sure that Sylvia Banks gets the 4 tickets. They will be at the members table will call at the front of the church. Doors open at 6:30pm and the event begins at 7:30. Festival seating applies. The church holds upwards of 500 people so it will be busy. Have a wonderful trip to India and thanks for your support of our new Crime fiction festival, CUFFED.
Good Morning, Susan/Moll or Lonnie/Saul! (I'm not sure who sent the message, bit like a murder-mystery!) At any rate, thanks so much, to the cloak and dagger author, for such a speedy, informative reply, as well as the good wishes for our trip to India, and the very kind words about my snapolas. Glad you enjoyed them. Much appreciated on all counts, of course. I'll let Sylvia know about the tickets. She is a veteran festival goer so I know she will be absolutely chuffed to attend Cuffed!
Again, great to meet the tough-as-nails moll part of the tag team. Have been spreading the word to other friends and fellow VWF volunteers about your festival and there is much, much interest so trust all goes well with planning, etc., as date approaches. Busy times, I'm sure for you both.
Must away as we are heading into another full day of sessions followed by our volunteer shifts. Thanks again. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Sylvia, on left, stealing the cash box at the Studio 1398 bar. Please put her mug shot up at the members will call table!
To solve your mystery the writer of this letter,...............Susan Ogul-Propas Hi again, Susan! Thanks for solving the mystery! I always knew you were a babe with a rhino skin and a tender heart! Just missing the cigarette hanging from your lower lip, the smoke curling, provocatively, seductively around your face and hair! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Good Morning Crime Fiction Buffs! Just had a confirmation message from Cuffed. Sylvia, please use the other ticket. I'll let you lucky people make travel arrangements with with each other, whether you car-pool together or Elaine and Ted cycle downtown! Must away as we are heading into another full day of sessions followed by our volunteer shifts. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! I've asked Cuffed organizers to put Sylvia's mug shot up at the members will call table and clap her in irons when she shows up to claim tickets!
Hi Elaine, it was great to see you guys as well. Thanks so much for the great breakfasts. Patrick has arranged the tickets for Rankin. Should be an interesting evening. Take care, Chloe
Thanks Patrick, I will definitely use those two tix to see Ian Rankin, and thank you so much. Margaret and I thoroughly enjoyed our Writers Festival evening on Thursday, and both are planning to get more involved next year. I wonder when they call out for new volunteers? Have a wonderful trip to India, and be careful! Especially with the water and food aspect. Keep us posted....Best wishes, Sylvia Hi Sylvia! I assume you'll be in touch with Elaine about arrangements for event. Great to see you and meet Margaret. The call for volunteers usually doesn't come about until September, if I remember correctly. Nevertheless, I'll mention your names to Kathryn, at some point, and I know she will be delighted that you are interested, being so mature and reliable, etc! and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Thanks for the tickets. Will mark it on our calendar. Elaine Hi Elaine! I assume you'll be in touch with Sylvia about arrangements for event. If it is still fine, I will pop by on Monday evening to leave our non-India luggage. Cora Lee will be off to her book club after we have dinner with Sarge and Chloë, at his place, earlier. Unfortunately, Flamin' has to work that evening. Thanks again for such a wonderful stay. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Lazy sleep-in until 8:30 am. Although I would have liked to have been up earlier I knew this was probably last time, before we leave, that I'll have that luxury. At any rate, after tidying up a few messages, we took off for GI. Although I had a ticket to Paula Hawkins in Conversation with Elaine Lui, at Performance Works, where Mme Coriandre was heading, I wanted to go to Waterfront to attend The Way Forward: "How can we make amends, heal our past with Canada’s Aboriginal peoples and see a path forward that is hopeful? One way is by continuing to listen to some of the thoughtful, eloquent voices who can articulate the experiences of Aboriginal generations past and present. Marilyn Dumont, Métis author of The Pemmican Eaters, is an award-winning poet as well as a faculty member at Athabasca University and the University of Alberta. Dr. Tracey Lindberg, author of Birdie, is a Harvard grad, professor of law and citizen of Kelly Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Wab Kinew, host of CBC’s Canada Reads, is also the associate vice-president at the University of Winnipeg, author of The Reason You Walk and the son of an Anishinaabe chief."
In particular, I wished to see and hear Wab as I've been most impressed with him from the CBC programs I've listened to. I also think very highly of Kathryn Gretsinger, as a broadcaster and interviewer, and she was the host of the session. Not to be, sad to say, as the event was completely sold-out so I hot-footed it back to PW and found a seat in the very back row. Although I've not read her book, the runaway bestseller, The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins "was once on the verge of failure. Before finding success with her addictive thriller, Hawkins, working under a pseudonym, produced four commissioned books of romantic fiction that never felt like her real voice. Hawkins says: 'The books kept getting darker and more miserable …. I realized I do tragedy better than comedy.' Hawkins talk[ed] with celebrity gossip blogger and author Elaine Lui about being spurred to get The Girl on the Train right or find a new career. And about how she feels now, with upwards of two million copies sold worldwide, to write under her own name and be one of the best in a new generation of “domestic noir” novelists." In fact, Elaine did a masterful job so a wonderful tag-team.
Since both are so extremely articulate, and humorous, it was a more than lively exchange and I'm certainly glad that I was "forced" to attend the session. After hearing about unimaginably wealthy George Soros, earlier in the week, I was even more curious to know how Paula felt about her "rags to riches", Cinderella career arc, [Her thriller is the best selling book in the world, at the moment!], story, so I posed this question to her. Was not really surprised at her answer, given what she had already said about her work and her writing before she was "discovered". She said she had never really been motivated to write for fame and fortune and she hoped that that would not change or otherwise affect her writing. She closed by saying that there was still time for her to become mean-spirited, miserly and grasping, or words to that effect. Just another example of her endearing wry wit and delightful, self-deprecating humour.
Home to have a bite to eat and catch up on more diary entries and then back to GI. I was hoping to be able to attend An Unlikely Path: "Four authors whose paths to becoming successful crime writers are as full of twists as their novels. Steve Burrows was a travel writer and editor of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society Magazine before he took up writing “birder murder mysteries.” Paula Hawkins had been a financial journalist and written four romance novels before she threw herself into writing the #1 New York Times bestseller of 2015, The Girl on the Train. Susan Philpott was a social worker assisting people living with serious mental illnesses before she created her thriller Blown Red. Yrsa Sigurðardóttir works as a civil engineer and writes children’s fiction. She’s also an international bestselling author whose crime novels have been translated into more than 30 languages."
I possessed a complimentary ticket to Elena Ferrante: A Literary Mystery, originally scheduled at Waterfront: "Early in her career, the Italian novelist writing as 'Elena Ferrante' said in a letter to her editor: 'I believe that books, once they’re written, have no need of their authors. If they have something to say, they will sooner or later find readers; if not, they won’t.' Ferrante has found those readers despite eschewing the kinds of promotion associated with books and writers; she doesn’t make public appearances and, until this year, declined in-person and telephone interviews. Regardless, she’s been called the most important Italian writer of her generation. Seven of her novels are now available in English. Ferrante’s North American publisher Michael Reynolds, critic John Freeman and Ferrante devotees Elizabeth Hay and Lauren Groff will discussion her work."
Although I "knew" the two events had switched venues, I simply forgot I knew and ended up at PW waiting for a ticket, assuming I was hear the crime novelists. Lucky to get in as the venue was completely sold out. Funnily enough, I sat beside Carol Deny, someone I knew from years ago at the UBC Library and have since seen at numerous festivals. She introduced me to her husband as I'd never met him before.] As soon as the event started I realized I was in the wrong venue so apologized to those who had to let me out of the row and scurried to Waterfront. Of course, this event was sold-out as well, with not a chance of obtaining a seat. had really wanted to hear Yrsa again, as well as learn a bit more about the other authors, of course. As well, I do like Lonnie Propas as a moderator and had hoped to chat to him about Cuffed during the bok signing. Anyway, it was not to be so I hung my head and cried while shuffling back to Harbour Terrace. Not too, too disappointed as I know it will be a busy evening tonight and do hope we will be able to attend both events scheduled for Studio 1398.
Back at the appartmento, I made a mug of java and chatted with Lady Mary about her day at the Festival while I worked away at my computer. Our shift started at 4:00 pm so five minutes beforehand we walked over, The weather has been grand all week so we were both very pleased for the Festival's sake as the sunshine and blue skies make everyone happier and everything seems hat much more enjoyable. Didn't take us long to set up the bar with the help of Bridget Doughney, our Shadow for the first shift. The 5:00 o'clock session, It's Treacherous Territory, although full was not completely sold out so we had no difficulty obtaining comp tickets. Promised to be an interesting, entertaining event, and it was! "Writing about sex can be treacherous. Describe too much and you’re up there on the “Erotica” shelf. Describe too little and you’re labelled repressed. Describe it badly and you’re open to ridicule—and possibly the dubious fame of earning the Literary Review Bad Sex in Fiction award. Farzana Doctor’s character works at a Mexican all-inclusive resort where her pastime of choice is the swingers’ scene. Lauren Groff’s Fate and Furies is a portrait of a modern marriage that begins with two lovers on their knees in the sand 'reduced to mouths and hands.' Greg Hollingshead’s collection of short stories includes strippers and wild nights of adultery. Three brave authors who have waded into these hazardous waters converse, tongue in cheek, about writing sex."
The session was moderated by Sirish Rao and he started the proceedings by reading some "winning" passages from books that had won the above-mentioned Literary Review Bad Sex in Fiction award. He had both the authors and the audience in stitches. Almost impossible to believe how "bad" the writing was, and from many authors who are otherwise quite highly regarded for their overall literary oeuvre. Nevertheless, the readings and ensuing discussion were lively and most interesting, casting light and insight into a topic that is rarely so directly targeted, at least in my festival going experience.
Had loads of fun chatting with Jessica while serving people waiting for the Studio 1398 session. Just as we were starting to get ready to close the bar, Michele, Kathryn's assistant, came upstairs to tell me that Kathryn had a ticket for me so I said goodbye to the Babes and headed to Waterfront. Ended up sitting with Kathryn and her husband, Richard, so that was terrific as we were able to visit for a bit before session started. Was delighted that Lisa Christiansen, of local CBC Radio 1 fame, was the host. Like her very much and she often is one of the hosts at the Vancouver Folk Festival, Main Stage. At any rate she introduced the two authors: "Until now, CBC personality Wab Kinew has been known mostly for his activism, his music and for coaxing stories from others. But Kinew has lived an unusual life and with his memoir he reveals the experiences and people that inspired him to write the book. After his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Kinew wrote The Reason You Walk, in part a reconciliation with the 'accomplished but distant Aboriginal man who’d raised him.' Kinew was to talk about writing the personal and sharing it with the world.
Elaine Lui started her blog Lainey Gossip as a hobby, an email sent to friends. Lainey Gossip is now visited by over 1.5 million unique readers a month. Lui is also a TV personality and she defended Raziel Reid’s Governor General’s Award winning book on Canada Reads this past year. But Lui claims she wouldn’t be the successful, confident person she is today without the 'unusual advice' and parenting of her mother, recounted with humour and compassion in her memoir Listen to the Squawking Chicken: When Mother Knows Best, What’s A Daughter To Do? Lui shared some of that unique advice."
Must say that I was even more impressed with Wab after I heard him speak and read. What a spokesperson, not only for Indigenous People, but also for all of us! His thoughts and feelings about deep reconciliation, not just between Native and non-Native people, but between all races and creeds and religions are urgently needed and must be heeded if we are to find a way forward, locally, nationally and globally. He seems to be headed towards a larger political role and one can only hope that this is so. We desperately need leaders of his ilk and stature who are so passionate about positive change which starts with oneself if it is to succeed on a larger scale.
With respect to Elaine, I had not realized, when I'd seen her earlier in the day, that she was the author of Squawking Chicken. I had heard her interviewed, a month or so ago, by Shelagh Rogers and couldn't stop listening to the her fascinating tale, one both riotously funny and deeply poignant and heart-breaking at one and the same time. Both authors, though from different cultures, represent, at least for me, a terrifically exciting possibility for change. Both seem to usher in an era of real hope, a new dawn not seen since the Age of Aquarius, when social change in the '60's actually happened.
Thanked Kathryn, again, for ensuring that I was able to attend this truly dizzying event, and walked home, relishing what I 'd heard and had been provoked to think about. What a note on which to end the Writers Fest! Again, I feel guilty for being so phenomenally rewarded for doing what is really so little. Don't tell anyone, Dear Reader! Back to find Cora Lee, watching something. I made a salad for myself. She had already eaten as she didn't stay for the second session. Toasted each other on another wonderful festival and headed for bed around midnight as I was to be up quite early for my full day at Performance Works. Her volunteer duties were over so she was going to attend a number of sessions while I slaved!
Hello The Sisterhood! Here are a few snapolas from our hootch time together over the course of this year's Festival. Both Cora Lee, (aka Corinne), and I would like to say how very much we enjoyed meeting everyone and having a chance, if only briefly, to get to know you. Thank you all for your enthusiastic help at the Studio 1398 saloon. I trust that our paths will cross again, in the not too, too distant future. If you are ever in Penticton, you have our email addresses so please give us a shout when you know you will be in our neck of the woods. You are more than welcome to stay and it would be fun to sample more of the wonderful Okanagan wines that are, quite literally, on our doorstep.
Unfortunately, I either didn't obtain or have misplaced email addresses for Cécile Revaux and Bridget Doughney. If anyone is in contact with them, please send along this message. Thanks.
As I think most of you know, we fly to Chennai, via Frankfurt, this coming Tuesday. Looking ahead, I trust I'll have connectivity, once in Inja, in the hill station, at the ashram, to send along periodic updates on hot-coal walking, levitating and astral travelling! Until then, all the best. Take care of yourselves. Buona Fortuna in whichever future endeavour(s) you decide upon or present themselves to you. Cheers, Swami, ultimately aiming for Guru, Patrizzio!
Pics: Julia being reprimanded by Cora Lee for running her finger around the inside of each and every wine goblet before serving liquid sunshine! Julia II caught with her sticky fingers in the till again! Melanie dazzles the paparazzi! She actually thought that the VWF gig was a photo-shoot for a well-paying teeth-whitening infomercial. No flash needed when she shows her pearly whites! Patrizzio trying to bootleg wine to pay for the coming trip to India! Jessica exuded nothing but entrepreneurial initiative, wanting to sell bottles of wine rather than just glasses! Kathryn waving goodbye, (and her long-suffering husband chortling, sensing he will no longer have to endure the dipsomaniacal bar-keeeps), to Patrizzio and Cora Lee, knowing to her delight that they will be easily and more competently, responsibly replaced, at next year's and future festivals, by The Shadows! Say it 'ain't so! Cheers and hic!
Attached are Sunday plans. Will leave print copies for Patrick & Sue in F&B basket in Office (today as soon as I get there and copy them. Will also bring a few extra on Sunday as well as floor plans.
Please note: I think I made all the changes we discussed yesterday. Please do not use the pages we reviewed at Friday's meeting. Those had an east/wall error that is now corrected. Sure hope I haven't missed correcting any other errors.
Heideh will bring a third box of gloves even though she says Vs need gloves on only the hand that's handling food. But she agreed - too many gloves better than not enough. See you tomorrow. CathyA
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