Writing Perspectives: A Creative Writing Workshop

Diversity in Characterization—Lisa Kovac & Lilly Cereghini

1:00 – 2:20 p.m.

“Write what you know” is a well-known adage for writers. But what about writing what you don’t know? Authors Lisa Kovac and Lilly Cereghini introduce questions and considerations for writers developing characters with lived experiences that differ from their own.

Lisa Kovac is a former senior tutor and Creative Writing Assistant at The Write Place. She has published fiction and poetry in Corvid Queen magazine, Enchanted Conversation magazine, Imprints, the Wordsfest Zine, and Connecting Writing Centers Across Borders.

Lilly Cereghini is a current Write Place tutor, and was the creative writing assistant in 2020-2021. She is also a published author in Wordsfest Zine and in King’s creative writing magazine, Imprints.

Characterization in Memoir—Erin Clark

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Character development is a concept we often associate with fictional characters. But what about when the character you’re developing is YOU? In an interview with Misha Bower, author, Erin Clark discusses character development in the context of autobiographical writing and offers a reading from her recent memoir, If You Really Love Me, Throw Me Off the Mountain.

Erin Clark is an award-winning nonfiction writer and the author of If You Really Love Me, Throw Me Off the Mountain (EyeCorner Press) and the upcoming The Breakup Artist (Audible). Her essays have appeared in CBC, Gay Mag, and Refinery29. Performing in New York City as part of the aerial feminist comedy duo Flaming Mermaid Broken Star, Erin created the persona of "International Sex Icon" to express and explore her experiences as a disabled woman through aerial dance, theatre, self portraits and short film. When she left NYC, Erin travelled the world, upstaging iconic monuments with her equally iconic wheelchair. Erin then moved to Spain where she became a world record holder and world champion para-pole athlete and a paragliding pilot where she transformed an old broken wheelchair into one that can fly. Erin is back in her hometown of London, Ontario working on a third book.

Literary Publications and Grants—Vivian Li & Rebekah Morrison-Wize

12:30 – 2:00 (includes a brief intro and question period)

Writing is a writer’s number one job. But how do you get your work published? How do you share it with other writers in your community? How do you seek funding for the development of new work? In a panel discussion moderated by Misha Bower, writer and editor, Vivian Li and London Arts Council Development and Investments Officer, Rebekah Morrison-Wize share their insight into the business of writing and how emerging writers can nurture their professional practice.

Vivian Li (she/her) is a writer, editor, and musician who enjoys exploring various artistic disciplines. Her creative works are forthcoming or published in The Fiddlehead, CV2, and Vallum, among others. Most recently, she was Longlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, and received Honorable Mentions from Muriel’s Journey Poetry Prize. A MFA candidate at UBC, she currently edits for PRISM international as well as Augur Magazine, and can be reached on Twitter @eliktherain.

Rebekah Morrison-Wize, since returning to her home town of London in 2003, has dedicated herself to the London arts community within her position as Officer, Development and Investments with the London Arts Council.  Rebekah holds a BFA Honours Degree in Dance from York University.  Living 20 years in Toronto, Rebekah worked with the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, Canada’s National Ballet School and Canadian Stage Theatre Company.  Rebekah manages the Community Arts Investment Program and is responsible for pursuing and securing all of LAC’s project, program and operational investments through grant applications, corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations and community partnerships.