For many writers first putting pen to paper, or pounding out prose on a keyboard, it’s often the first tentative steps that seem forbidding.
On the other hand, even seasoned writers sometimes find themselves between a book and a hard place due to a creative block or lack of motivation.
For these reasons, and possibly others, members of the Migratory Words writing circle will be able to tap into valuable local resource Steven Ross Smith during its Oct. 6 and 20 meetings.
Migratory Words, originally founded by David Eso and now under the guidance of Tim Murphy, meets every second Tuesday in the Snug Room at Canmore’s Georgetown Inn.
Smith, a published author himself who is releasing a book of poetry in October, is the former literary director at The Banff Centre and is currently a Writer in Residence for the Canadian Authors Association for the next nine months.
Smith is a poet, fiction and non-fiction writer and sound and performance poet. He also writes reviews, interviews, and magazine features on the visual and literary arts. He has been publishing books since the 1970s, and was a member of the legendary sound poetry group, Owen Sound.
Helping out with Migratory Words falls under the mandate of the writer in residence, as Smith will make appearances at several locations in the province during his tenure, while also working online with writers.
“I’ve known about Migratory Words for a while,” he said, “and I’ve worked with a few people in that group through their writing.
“Also, I was proactive in letting them know I was available. I knew Dave Eso from when he’d be in Banff at events, and he included me in an anthology the group did, and Tim Murphy has consulted with me.
“I don’t know of many authors who couldn’t use some sort of help, so hopefully I’ll be able to do some editing or make some helpful suggestions.
“I know Migratory Words writers are a pretty active group and they have a diverse range of writers. I know one woman has a novel in progress; I can’t critique a whole novel, but I can often help by asking people to quantify their uncertainties or difficulties so I can help.
“I’m hoping I can provide assistance if people need help with form or character. And sometimes, somebody just needs a bit of affirmation, or some strategies, or some input about the business of writing. I’ve been writing for four decades and written a number of books and I’m always available for a reading or a talk.”
Along with work as writer in residence, Smith has been working on his own material, including his poetry book. “I’ve just been editing some final proofs, that’s pretty exciting for me. I’ve done some short fiction and journalistic work and I write for Galleries West magazine.
“I’m kind of multi-faceted.”
Smith’s new book of poetry, Emanations: Fluttertongue 6, will appear from BookThug this October. He has written two librettos, and scripts for documentary television. Smith’s book fluttertongue 3: disarray won the 2005 Saskatchewan Book of the Year Award. The chapbook Pliny’s Knickers, a collaboration between Smith, poet Hilary Clark, and artist Betsy Rosenwald, won the 2006 bpNichol Chapbook Award.
He was founding director of the Sage Hill Writing Experience and ran the program from 1990 to 2007. He was director of literary arts at The Banff Centre fro 2008-2014.
Smith currently lives and writes in Banff and on Galiano Island in B.C.
