Tying up our 2016-17 Season with a Bow

/ Janet Halls
Photo of CWLC Guest Speaker Shelley Youngblut, WordFest CEO, at 2017 CWLC Luncheon

Shelley Youngblut, WordFest CEO and Guest Speaker at 2017 CWLC Luncheon

In the gorgeous setting at the Calgary Golf and Country Club on April 26, we shared lunch and stories at tables given a  decorative touch by CWLC members. We were thoroughly entertained by our guest speaker, Shelley Youngblut. We closed out with a brief Annual General Meeting in which CWLC President Margaret Sparkes tied the year up with a lovely bow, highlighting how this year’s theme of Favorite Authors gave us an insight into those who presented, through their choices. Margaret has led a very successful year for our Club, with the introduction of several new members. This event gave us a great chance to get to know each other better.

Shelley Youngblut, our guest speaker, presented her personal literary crush, George Saunders. That’s a significant recommendation, coming from the CEO and Creative Ringleader of WordFest, who must be in the know about dozens (or more) contemporary authors and their work! Sometimes Shelley is lucky enough to spend time with authors “up close and personal”, as she has with George Saunders. Shelley was captivated, not only by his writing but also by the warmth and magnetism of his personality.

 Here is one of the many anecdotes Shelley shared with us.
George Saunders followed some advice he had read, from another author: Dedicate three months to working on a new book. The author’s theory was that pursuing something (anything) for three months is long enough to make headway but short enough to let it go with little regret if it comes to naught. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! The technique worked and Saunders published a very successful book. Interestingly, Saunders met the writer sometime later and explained how well the three-month advice had worked for him. To Saunders’ surprise, the other author revealed he never actually used the technique himself! Nonetheless, Shelley and many others in the room believed the concept could be effective for a lot of our “I would someday like to…” wishes.
What a fun, upbeat, motivating way to celebrate our latest season!

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