the written word

CELEBRATING THE WRITTEN WORD!

...a periodic forum Spring 1997

Frank Westcott

Instead of critical analysis, Frank writes his celebration of the written word. He takes this approach because, in his view, this is what writing is all about. Besides, he likes to write about new or old books and scripts by his friends and colleagues. To him, these ARE cause for celebration!

NEWS, NOTEWORTHY, & GOLD NIBS: Grand storyteller, Timothy Findley, author of the recent novel Piano Man's Daughter (Harper Collins) and the novella, You Went Away (Harper Collins), is now splitting his time between a home in France and a condo in Canada. Now in senior citizenhood, he and Bill Whitehead found life in the spotlight becoming too work-interruptus. So..., escape. They have moved from Stone Orchard in Cannington, taken steps to simplify their lives, attempted to cut down on their three hundred a month correspondence demands, and most importantly, directed their talent's precious and vital "desk time" to literary creation. I dare say, nothing could be more important to all of us... readers, writers, and you two! Enjoy gentlemen! And, Gold Nibs to both of you for what you've given us already and will send our way in the future!

A Gold Nib to Toronto novelist Ann Ireland. Her latest, The Instructor (Doubleday) was nominated for the to-be-announced-this-Month Trillium Award. She tells me April also brings the book's United States' publication (Ecco) and the U.S.A. bookseller, Barnes & Noble, has chosen her as one of their "New Voices." Buy the book, folks. And if that isn't enough, Ann is currently working on a screenplay. Way to go, Ann!

CANADIAN LITERATI, MOVIEDOM, & GOLD NIBS to Canadian writers and illustrators hitting moviedom with their work. In recent months and for mega-dollars, word crafter supreme, Margaret Atwood sold the movie rights to her stunning novel, Alias Grace (McClelland & Stewart), to Jodie Foster's production company. The film version of lyrical prose and poetry writer Michael Ondaatje's novel, The English Patient (Vintage) knocked down twelve academy award nominations and a well earned nine Oscars. And award winning children's book illustrator, Janet Wilson, saw her beautiful artwork and exceptional talent go to creating a Cinderella "prop book" for Martin Short to use in the movie The Fairy Godmother. Cinderella, you have never been so lucky! See you in the children's section at The Eden Mill's Writers' Festival in September`97, Janet!

FRIENDLY NIB NOTES: Patricia Stone, a Peterborough fiction writer, a charming Exile at the Elmwood table companion, and TWUC buddy says, "When I write, I want to investigate what happens between men and women; between women and their families and other women; how travelling (especially alone, as a woman) affects one's parameters; aging; the unforgettable moments of childhood and how they shape a person; fate; the heart-breaking, desperate strategies people resort to -- whatever will get them through their nights." And so you do, Patricia. Folks, buy her books of short stories and see for yourself Close Calls (Cormorant) and Through Any Window (Nuage).

OLD & RECENTLY READ: The Fox by D.H. Lawrence and Shane by Jack Schaefer. Both seamless works of art in their own right.

THEATRE NOTES & A GOLD NIB: Winnipeg writer, Pulitzer Prize winner, and playwright Carol Shields' play, Thirteen Hands, shone from The Canadian Stage Company's production at Bluma Appel Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre For The Arts in Toronto.

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