The Great Canadian Writer's Craft

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Rachel Wedekind:

Hello Gary, thank you for taking the time out of your day to do an interview with me. I was first introduced to your work when angela brought frogments from the frag pool to her poetry session. I was drawn to the particular style since it incorporated drawn images into the poetry. Being an artist, I found this quite interesting and different from conventional poetry.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Erin Stephenson:

Hello Sherwin Tjia,

I am a grade 12 student in the Writer’s Craft class at Malvern C.I. I wrote these questions as a way of getting a better understanding of you and your writing. I thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and I look forward to reading your responses.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Dianne Aguilar:

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Clare Merchant:

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Micaela Kirkwood-Lazazzera:

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Alexandra Gillis:

First and foremost, I’d like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions! After reading your book Mycological Studies and researching your work as a poet, I came up with some questions that I would be very interested in hearing your answers to. Here they are:

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Claire Wiles:

Hello,

I am a grade 12 student in the Writers Craft course at Malvern CI. I am very interested in hearing your responses, so thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Sam Agro:

Masque was published in 2004. In six years, you’ve had three more books published, and while they all possess a similar power, each has a very different feel from the others. What drives you to make those leaps between each book? Do you ever feel less attached to your previous works as you create new ones?

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Emily Saunders:

Hello! These are a few questions I have for you. Thank you for taking the time to answer them.

I read in your biography that you were born in Vancouver, raised in Toronto and now live in St. Catharines. Which of these places is your favourite place to live? Did growing up in Canada have an influence on your writing? What does it mean to you to be a Canadian poet?

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Rachel Shin:

Hi, my name is Rachel Shin and I’m a Grade 12 Writer’s Craft student. I’ve compiled six questions pertaining to your work and would be very grateful if you could answer them. Thank you in advance — I really appreciate this opportunity.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Alexis Genik:

Hi Sina! I would like to start by thanking you to take the time to answer these questions — it’s definitely appreciated as it lets me get a closer look at you as a poet, as well as inspirations for your poetry! I look forward to hearing from you!

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Alice Prendergast:

First off, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to do this interview. Your poetry is inspiring, creative and interesting to read. I’ve come up with a few questions on your work, inspirations and future and I look forward to seeing your responses!

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Liam Hetherington:

I have learned through research that you spent a couple years teaching at a correctional institution, where you founded the Prison Writing Workshop. Does this era of your life have a profound impact on the type of poetry you write or the themes you write about?

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Isaac Heron:

I’ve read that you were raised, or at least educated, in Calgary, which is, from what I understand, a little more culturally conservative than Toronto is, where you live now. I also know that, alongside your writing career, you are very involved with heavy metal culture. Have the cities you’ve lived in, and their responses to your interests, at all affected or influenced your writing?

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Carina Raymond:

Hi. How are you Mr. Vermeersch? It is an honour to interview you, read what you’re reading and read what you’re writing. Thank you for the opportunity.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Jasmine Denike:

Hey Matt, don’t feel pressured to answer all of them. I had a lot I wanted to know! The last two questions are completely optional and pretty general. Just wanted to add that I really enjoyed reading your book A Doctor Pedaled Her Bicycle Over The River Arno. It was really interesting because of its diversity in writing styles as well as the mood difference between poems. I hope you like my questions, and thank you for taking your time to answer them! (:

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Kathleen Slemon:

Hello, my name is Kathleen, and I’d just like to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions, not only because they are a part of my school work, but they are also a very exciting opportunity for me! I really, really enjoyed your book The Invisibility Exhibit and am so grateful that I have the chance to talk to you about it, as I have never had an opportunity like this in school or elsewhere.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Haley Coppins:

How has growing up in Calgary and moving to Montréal changed your outlook on life and altered your poetry? How has the French culture of Montreal influenced you as a writer?

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Emma Jung:

Hi Michael, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I’ve really enjoyed reading both your biographies and your work. I think you are a really great poet and look forward to hearing your response!

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Casey Pope:

Dear ryan fitzpatrick,

My name is Casey Pope; I am student of Malvern’s grade 12 writer’s craft class. Thank you for your time and the opportunity to speak with you. I look forward to reading your responses. Cheers, Casey.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Atticus Dean Mitchell:

Hey Michael, I am a student at Malvern Collegiate Institute, and in my grade 12 Writer’s Craft class, we are working on an assignment that requires us to interview a Canadian poet of our choosing in order to gain a better understanding of how poetry comes to life. I was wondering if you could answer these couple of questions to give me some sort of idea.

Thank you very much for your time.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Samantha Seon:

Hello! I just wanted to thank you before you read any further for reading at least this far! I admire your work and am very interested in what you have to say on these certain topics. Alright, let's get to it!

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Rebecca Tuck:

Hi George. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Taylor Aitken:

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Tatum Dooley:

derek, firstly I would like to thank you for taking the time to participate in this project. Secondly, I would like to thank you for writing new and innovative poetry! Reading your works has been inspiring, and I have been fascinated by the style and techniques that you use. The questions below cover a variety of topics on your work and inspirations. I look forward to seeing the answers.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Conor Ling:

Hello there, thank you for taking the time to answer my pesky little questions. I look forward to reading your answers.

I understand that you are a professor at the University of Alberta. Does your teaching there continue to inspire you poetry, or do you see yourself looking elsewhere for inspiration in the near or distant future?

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Allegra Shaw:

Hi there,

My name is Allegra Shaw, thank you for taking the time to do this interview and answer my questions. I can’t wait to receive your response.

Oana Avasilichioaei:

Nice to virtually meet you Allegra. Thank you for reading this work and for your thoughtful and engaging questions. I look forward to reading your response.

This spring, Toronto high-school students from two Writer's Craft classes conducted interviews with some of Canada's finest poets. The interviews will be posted on The Great Canadian Writer's Craft page on Open Book in June and July 2011.

Dear Ms Alland,

I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer some questions that I have for you, as I have been studying your work for the past few weeks. I really appreciate the time that you are taking from your busy schedule to help me in my Writer’s Craft class. Here are the six questions that I have formed about your poetry and life.

Thanks again,
Sara Rolfe-Hughes

Sara Rolfe-Hughes: