Lynn Coady

At VIWF event #56, Possibilities of Hope, four authors converged to discuss their new works of fiction, books written about troubled, working class men trapped in cycles of struggle. Whether pushed to violence, forced into uncomfortable scenarios or unable to access their own feelings these men are held by forces that prohibit them from moving forward.

During the ensuing conversation and question and answer period issues of violence, poverty, education and emotional communication were addressed and the words redneck and rural punctuated many a sentence.

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Friday morning.  I rise at the unconscionable hour of nine a.m. for a return engagement at the Waterfront Theatre.  Running late as usual so decide to drive even though it’s just a ten minute walk to the island.  I think, oh yeah, bound to be pretty quiet down there this time of day, parking, which often is, won’t be a problem.  Maybe a few tumbleweeds of rain blowing down Cartwright Street but yeah, we got this whole thing under control.  Wrong.  The joint is crawling with traffic.  Now I’m thinking, a bit frantically, “What did you expect?  What did you expect?”  I circle round in a crush of cars and pedestrians and veer off to check out my secret parking place.  Luck is with me and it’s empty.  I snug in and get to the theatre.  Things are in fact running a bit late.  It’s not a sell-out, but close.

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Event 10: The Dish

Doug Gibson is one of the best storytellers I have ever met. Combine that
with his close friendship and working relationships with Robertson Davies,
Alice Munro, Alistair MacLeod, W.O. Mitchell and many more and you have the
makings for an entertaining evening event.

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The Proust Questionnaire is believed to reveal an individual’s true nature. We have asked 2011 Festival authors 17 questions inspired by the questionnaire in an attempt to uncover who they are…

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The ocean within walking distance.

What does your ideal day look like?
Balanced--a little bit of creative work, a little bit of domestic puttering, a little bit of exercise, getting a couple of tedious chores accomplished so I can feel virtuous, bike ride, a bit of mental stimulation via books or (yes) TV, a good dinner at the end of the day, maybe some sex somewhere in there.

What is your greatest extravagance?
I pay good money for good bras.

What possession would you be heartbroken if you lost?
My wedding ring.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A kneejerk avoidance of conflict.

What childhood fear has followed you into adulthood?
Scary dolls with the secret potential to come alive.

Do you take comfort in darkness or light?
Light.

Do you remember your dreams?
Vividly.

How do you collect snippets of observations and ideas that come to you unexpectedly?
They mostly just sit fermenting in my head and pop up when I have need of them.

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