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‘Building Character and Theme’

‘Building Character and Theme’ Workshop – Westville Public Library

2042 Queen Street

Tuesday, December 2, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Reserve your spot by calling 902-396-5022

Can great literature be political? Actually, it always is because great literature always has an impact beyond the specific story it reveals. It universalizes itself into a potent theme. The key to making your story memorable is the development of unforgettable characters.

Join Pictou-Antigonish Writer-in-Residence Chris Benjamin for a 90-minute workshop on how to develop characters who advance whatever theme you want to work with.

Theme (be it spiritual, philosophical, political, introspective) = Character, because the political is personal. Your characters – the things they believe, say and do (and the ways these things are inconsistent) – will determine your theme, the message or central idea readers take from your work.

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Author Chris Benjamin’s first novel, Drive-by Saviours, won the H.R. Percy Prize, was longlisted for a ReLit Prize and made the Canada Reads Top Essential Books List.

Chris has also published more than a dozen short stories in literary journals, magazines and anthologies (published by the likes of Descant, The Dalhousie Review, Nashwaak Review, Galleon, Roseway, Pottersfield Press, Voiceprint Canada, The Society, Rattling Books, Third Person Press, and Fierce Ink).


 

Multimedia Storytelling Workshop

New Glasgow Public Library (902-752-8233).

Tuesday, November 25, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.

As writers we love reading, but print is only one way to share story. This session will explore how stories can transcend media, but also how each medium shapes story, and how as storytellers we can adapt our tales for maximum impact and reach.

Kevin & Chris

Facilitated by Writer-in-Residence and author Chris Benjamin, with special guest filmmaker Kevin Moynihan. Chris and Kevin worked together on a series of short video’s based on Chris’ award-winning book, Eco Innovators: Sustainability in Atlantic Canada.

 

 

The Art of Short Story Writing

Tuesday, November 18, 6:15pm – 7:30pm

‘The Art of Short Story Writing’ Workshop

River John Public Library (902-351-2599)

Hosted by Writer-in-Residence Chris Benjamin, this workshop will explore the challenging art of short fiction and how to pack a novel’s punch, not to mention a beginning, middle and end, into just a few thousand words. Bring your pens and pencils, your papers and pads. Writing activities will abound.

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Chris is perhaps best-known as a journalist but he has also published about a dozen short stories in literary journals, magazines and anthologies (published by the likes of the Dalhousie Review, Descant, Nashwaak Review, Galleon, Roseway Publishing, Pottersfield Press, Voiceprint Canada, The Society, Rattling Books, Third Person Press, The Coast, and Fierce Ink).


 

Letter From a Former Residential School Teacher

A few weeks ago, former residential school teacher Bernice Logan sent a letter to the editor of the Chronicle Herald, cc’ing a long list of organizations and individuals including among others my publisher, Peter Mansbridge, Lloyd Robertson, and me. The letter concerned my new book, Indian School Road: Legacies of the Shubenacadie Residential School. Logan read a two-page excerpt from the book’s introduction, which ran as an advertorial in the Herald. From the letter it sounds as though she hasn’t read the book itself.

You can read the entirety of her 3-page letter by clicking on the images below. Logan is an ardent defender of the residential schools, one of few still around and willing to speak out on their behalf, publicly at least. I won’t bother addressing the factual inaccuracies in her letter, but will simply state the obvious: everything in my book is ascertained from archival records from Indian Affairs or from the many many survivors who have gone on record at inquiries or in court or to the media or public in their own accounts, at great personal cost.

I publish her letter here because I believe it shows quite clearly that the racist assumptions underlying the residential school system survive still. And also that these attitudes are expressed relatively benignly, under the guise of good intentions. You be the judge:

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The Business of Freelance Journalism Session

freelancewriting

The Business of Freelance Journalism, Tues Nov 4 (6:15pm) – River John Library – limited space, preregistration required (902-351-2599)

Featuring Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library Writer-in-Residence Chris Benjamin

For anyone who has ever dreamed of hanging a “Professional Writer” sign and making writing your full-time gig, get the inside scoop on the do’s, don’ts, snags and joys of being a freelance journalist and writer.

Chris Benjamin has worked in Halifax as an independent, self-employed freelance journalist for the past eight years and has written for a long list of magazines and newspapers in Canada and the United States. A few highlights include The Globe and Mail, Science Friday, Chronicle Herald, Z Magazine, Canadian Dimension, This Magazine, Briarpatch, Saltscapes, Halifax Magazine, The Halifax Examiner, Progress Magazine, and The Coast. He received honourable mention in the 2009 Canadian Journalism Awards.

Understanding our story: two books on the Shubenacadie Residential School

The Halifax Media Co-op’s Robert Devet  wrote a review of Indian School Road as a companion piece to Isabelle Knockwood’s book about the survivor experience of the school. Her book, and the questions she raised, was an inspiration for Indian School Road.

indian school roadout of the depths

You can read the review here.

Stellarton Living Library of Storytelling; Seniors Week hosted by Chris Benjamin

‘Living Library of Storytelling’ with Chris Benjamin, Writer-in-Residence at Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, and invited guests Florence Hughes and Jerry Munro
Stellarton Public Library, Stellarton, Nova Scotia, 248 S Foord St
When Tue, 21 October, 18:30 – 19:45
Join us for a special Storytelling & Story sharing event, with local invited guests – Florence Hughes and Jerry Munro. The program will be hosted by our Writer-in-Residence, Chris Benjamin. All are welcome to join us, please call the library to preregister (902-755-1638) as seating is limited. It is a part of special activities for Nova Scotia Public Libraries Seniors Week (October 19 – 25, 2014). Come learn from, and celebrate, the wisdom and knowledge of experience.

Becoming Fierce Book Launch Oct 18

Becoming Fierce Halifax Launch, Just Us! Cafe, 5896 Spring Garden Rd

Sat, 18 October, 14:00 – 16:00

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Come out and join us as we celebrate the publication of Becoming Fierce: Teen Stories IRL, anthology of creative non-fiction. There will be readings from contributing authors Ben Boudreau, Alison DeLory, Chris Benjamin and Jo Treggiari. They will also be available to sign copies of the anthology, and dance with you the sardana.

Read the Chronicle Herald review here and the Quill & Quire review here.


 

Historical Research Session at Pictou Public Library

‘Historical research – where and how to begin’
with Chris Benjamin, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library’s Writer-in-Residence
Pictou Public Library, 40 Water Street
Tuesday, October 14, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Register by calling 902-485-5021

This session will outline some key sources of accurate historical information, primary and secondary, including libraries and archives as well as the use of key informants when tracing the roots of present day circumstance.

Pictou Library presents Writing Workshops with Chris Benjamin,Writer-in-Residence@PARL(Tues ev without guests) FINAL OUT

Indian School Road on Global News

On October 7 author Chris Benjamin appeared on Global Television’s “Morning News” with Crystal Garett. Here’s the clip: