Calgary authors

/ Janet Halls / Leave a comment

Thanks, Flora, for the summary below!

This photograph and more information on Suzette Mayr can be found through the link: Coach House Books

Doloris gave an extremely interesting presentation on the Calgary author, Suzette Mayr (pronounced Meyer.)  In a very gentle and diplomatic way, Doloris indicated that she generally did not enjoy Mayr’s books, she was “not in love with her books, though there are parts she enjoyed of all her books, but not the whole thing.”

The plots are quite complicated – not linear. Mayr’s writing voice is coarse and raw; Mayr deploys animal, body and refuse metaphors, an array of body fluids and odours constantly assails the reader, she seems to have a curious obsession with toilets and garbage.

Doloris feels that reading Mayr is one of the best part of CWLC – we are challenged to read literature we may not enjoy or would have chosen to read.  And Doloris read all of her books FOUR TIMES.

Mayr has won many awards for her writing.

Suzette Mayr:

  • born in Calgary
  • German father/Afro-Caribbean mother
  • grew up in the 80’s
  • became a reader in Grade 6
  • went to University with Doloris’ daughter
  • Honours Degree in English
  • Masters at U of A
  • Came out as a lesbian 1990
  • Currently an associate professor at the University of Calgary
  • She is very active in the LGBTQ movement
  • She is currently working on her Ph.D.

Mayr’s writing philosophy

  • “Document your place and time as a writer.”
  • Objects to censorship
  • Major themes are race, ethnicity, sexuality, ageing, and individuality
  • She rewrites her novels 6-7 times.

Doloris read the poem:  Zebra – about mixed race individuals

Moon Honey (novel)

–Theme:  race relations in Alberta and transformation

The Widows (novel) — Doloris read an excerpt

–Themes:  aging, sexuality, race/multi-culturalism

–extremely non-traditional characters

–based on the true story of Annie Edson Taylor – first woman to go over Niagara Falls “Queen of the Mist”

Venous Hum

–gothic/vampires/gore

–This novel has been described as a “jolt of one-of-a-kind creativity”

–Venous Hum title refers to  the jugular vein

–Mayr deconstructs the Canadian identity

Moon Rising (Doloris read an excerpt)

–The story is about the suicide of young boy

–theme:  high suicide rate among LGBT teens

–took 8 years to finish writing the book – and she was exhausted

Doloris met with Suzette Mayr for coffee.  Interestingly, Mayr hadn’t thought of Doloris’ analysis of Niagara Falls in the way Doloris suggested – that Niagara Falls in her novel could be looked at as a Canadian icon, symbolic of the sister’s stormy life.  Doloris invited Suzette to attend the presentation, but unfortunately for us she was out of town.

Doloris encouraged us to read these books!

Helle Kraav thanked Doloris for a delightful presentation, reminding us that Deloris deserves a medal for reading all the books four times!

Discussion:

  • Why did she get so many awards when her writing is so “difficult?”  Suzette Mayr is a very good writer. There is so much in her books.
  • The name choices in her books are very interesting!
  • Cecilia Krupa took a creative writing class with Suzette Mayr under Aritha Van Herk .   Aritha Van Herk was a very influential mentor to Suzette.  She was a very sweet girl.

Doloris has invited Suzette Mayr to her home for dinner and she is looking forward to pursing a conversation about the craft of writing.

Calgary Poet, Christopher Stephen Wiseman joined in!

/ Janet Halls / 1 Comment

Lillian Tickles has really upped the bar when it comes to presentations at CWLC. Not only did she do a presentation on this poet; She even invited him to attend to read his poetry. What a coup for everyone! Bravo, Lillian!

Christopher Wiseman

Christopher Stephen Wiseman

1933 –

A resident of Calgary and winner of several awards in the literary arts, Christopher Wiseman was a unanimous choice on our list of critically acclaimed local writers to be reviewed and discussed in our CWLC program for 2015 – 16.

Since poetry is enjoying a resurgence on my “reading for pleasure” menu of options, I happily volunteered to explore his life and work. The research has been most rewarding.

The following selective anthologies of his poems provide a basis from which to draw some insight.

  • 36 Cornelian Avenue
  • In John Updike’s Room
  • An Ocean of Whispers
  • The Upper Hand
  • Remembering Mr. Fox
  • Crossing the Salt Flats

Recognition for his poetic contributions has come from both sides of the Atlantic.

Born in the United Kingdom just prior to WW II, Wiseman spent two years in the RAF before attending Cambridge University where he achieved both a BA and an MA. Many of his poems stem from remembered experiences in British settings…bombed villages, schools, playgrounds, pubs, churches. Further educational pursuits took him to the University of Iowa, where he obtained his PhD under the influence of friend and mentor, Donald Justice. While there, he met and married Jean Laytem with whom he had two sons. Recalled places in the heartland of America are preserved and celebrated in his writing.

The major portion of Wiseman’s career unfolded at the U of C. His arrival in the English department resulted in the development of the Creative Writing program with classes for credit in writing poetry. Several from his class lists have become recognized writers. His ability to motivate and mentor did not go unnoticed. He won an excellence in teaching award which he acknowledges as a highlight of his career.

My travels through a significant itinerary of Wiseman’s work have been moving and inspiring. He has a remarkable talent for drawing the reader into each poem. It is easy to relate to the people, the places and the time depicted. Scenes come to life in three-dimensional clarity. In many instances the reader feels compelled to read a poem aloud. Because family was extremely important to him, several selections are dedicated to “mother, father, sons, grandparents and wife.” To the reader, they are valued new acquaintances.

Throughout his collections, Wiseman seems to be seeking a balance between “what I was and what I am.” The pieces in that quest have come together through the pen of an adult Canadian poet reclaiming images of people, places and events from his life’s memory landscape. Some perceptions of his past encounters have to be re-evaluated. Feelings about them shift in intensity. In some poems that shift occurs in the last stanza or the last line. The “what I am” part of the balance is still unfolding as he continues to write, to play a role on various juries that critique literary submissions, and to have his work broadcast nationally and internationally, to keep in touch with former students, and to give countless readings to groups such as us.