The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild is pleased to bring you Talking Fresh 12 which has been created with the generous support the University of Regina, Department of English, Department of Theatre, Centre for the Study of Script Development, City of Regina, Canada Council, Saskatchewan Arts Alliance, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Saskatchewan Lotteries and Sask Culture.

Thank you to all of the organizations that support this event.
As described on the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild webpage: http://www.skwriter.com/home/621
“two-day writers’ festival that targets Regina and a wider Saskatchewan community including aspiring writers and anyone interested in writers and books. Now in its twelfth year, Talking Fresh tackles the concept of “exile.” This year writers and artists explore writing about various aspects of exile, such as writing while exiled, writing about characters that are displaced, exploring novels and screenplays that have been banished and subsequent reactions from the reader/audience/critics.”

I will have the privilege of moderating the panel of famous Canadian writers and the director of University of Regina Press.

On the panel this year to discuss various aspects of exile, such as writing while exiled, writing about characters that are displaced and various perspectives, such as the author’s intention, audience response, critics’ feedback, to sales of books, films and plays.”

I am doing my homework and discovering these authors:
Lillian Allen http://www.lillianallen.ca/
After meeting Oku Onoura in 1978, Lillian Allen decided to help build and bring attention to dub poetry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dub_poetry with its revolutionary zeal, black aesthetics and attention to a feminist perspective.

Colleen Murphy http://www.colleenmurphy.ca/
. Murphy, who grew up in northern Ontario and left home to be an actor, however she became one of Canada’s experienced and award winning playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker/director. She was also a former playwright in residence at the University of Regina (2006). Colleen Murphy explores tough issues important to both individuals and society in her plays and films. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Preview+Playwright+gives+Robert+Pickton+victims+voice/9138332/story.html

Armand Garnet Ruffo http://carleton.ca/english/people/ruffo-armand-garnet/ is a member of the Ojibway nation. He teaches at the Carleton University. http://www.library.utoronto.ca/canpoetry/ruffo/index.htm Armand Garnet Ruffo is a poet, and scholar who specializes in Indigenous people’s literature. He also works in theatre and film.

Bruce Walsh http://canopyplanet.org/who-we-are/canopy-staff-and-board-of-directors/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meGLUOER7pY . Was born in Nova Scotia http://www.uofrpress.ca/publishers_letter Is the director and publisher of University of Regina Press. He has worked with may of Canada’s leading authors. He has won the Libris Award twice for his “outstanding contribution of Canadian publishing,” and is on the boards of Canopy and PEN Canada. Much of what he knows, he learned as a volunteer. He is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service.

I am looking forward to an informative discussion on Friday. Great readings Friday evening and finally workshops all day Saturday.

The panel is over and audience members said I was a good moderator. I thank you for your kind words.
I exiled the panel members from their bios which listed their many fantastic accomplishments and created my own. It worked out well.

Armand Ruffo read from his poetry which accompanied paintings by the acclaimed Ojibyway painter Norval Morrisseau. Colleen Murphy kept us on the edges of our seats when she read from Armstrong’s War and Pig Girl. She is fearless.
Lillian Allen read from her poetry adding music and beat. A delight for the ears and thought provoking for the mind.
An event that was free but priceless. Tomorrow, Saturday, will be workshops by all three writers. If you are available drop on by.
When: March 7-8, 2014

Where: Research and Innovation Centre Lecture Hall – RIC 119, University of Regina
(3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK) –
Who: Colleen Murphy, Armand Ruffo, Lillian Allen and Bruce Walsh (panel only)
Saturday, March 8: CRAFT TALKS & BOOK LAUNCH

9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
“Shifting the Gaze Homeward: The Necessity of Indigenous Literature” – Armand Ruffo

10:45 a.m.-Noon
“Emotional Theatre: A Country Without Flags, A Land Without Borders” – Colleen Murphy

Noon-1:30 p.m. Intermission – lunch on your own

1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
“Creating this very landscape we walk on” – Lillian Allen

3:00 p.m. Launch of Literary History of Saskatchewan Vol.2

I’ll be there, a lot less nervous then I was from 3-6 today.