Easter Weekend, April 2022

“GLAMPING” ON SALT SPRING ISLAND

largest glorious Gulf Island in the Salish Sea

Easter eggs, Easter Lilies and Large White Trilliums

Salt Spring Island has always had a special place in my heart and I am lucky enough to be spending this Easter long weekend on the north east side, overlooking Trincomali Channel from high above the distinctive dog’s leg of Walker’s Hook.

For many years, my family and I “glamped” during long school holidays in a secluded cabin, surrounded by yellow and red cedar, Douglas fir, Garry oak and majestic Arbutus.

Over those decades, I kept a journal, illustrated in watercolour, of our adventures on Salt Spring Island. I have returned here this weekend to recapture the spirit of this Island and weave its magic into the fabric of a new series of poems that I am now working on.

I was married in this tiny church in Burgoyne Bay

Salt Spring Island is part of the traditional territory of the Saanich, Cowichan and Chemainus First Nations, whose people have treasured the rich natural abundance of this unique Island for over 5,000 years.

all photos (c) cemwinstanley

25th March 2022 THE TALE OF A TAIL

Successful submission of poem for April Poetry Walk, celebrating National Poetry Month in Canada

PERDIDA line drawing by cemwinstanley

I have heard this week that a brand new poem I wrote in February, inspired by the life story of my rescue-housedog, Perdida, has been chosen as one of eighteen to be featured in a local Poetry Walk from 18th – 30th April, in celebration of Canadian National Poetry Month. I am like a dog with the proverbial two tails!

In the end pages of my anthology, BITS OF STRING & THREAD, compiled as the world faced pandemic lockdowns, I described my mongrel lurcher as my ‘constant, Covid companion’ because of the way in which she had helped both my mental and physical health,

“since you arrived, a mangy stray

rescued

from the dangers of a wilderness night”

lines from “The Tale of a Tail” by cemwinstanley
Perdida’s armchair

Summer hiking on Mount Quimper and long misty walks on Ella Beach
photo credits AMGray Studios 2021

SPRING IS ON ITS WAY! 28th February 2022

Here, at the base of this month’s Blog Page, is a brand new recording of A SONG FOR SALMON to celebrate the return of Spring along the west coast of Vancouver Island.

This narrative poem was published last year in PIECES OF EIGHT, the eighth anthology from Sooke Writers’ Collective. The piece was inspired by a story-telling performance by the poet and author Joke L. Mayers.

Photo by Eva Elijas on Pexels.com
A SONG FOR SALMON
Photo by Doni Haris on Pexels.com

Yoruba, spoken in the West African countries of Nigeria, Benin Republic as well as parts of Togo and Sierra Leone, is one of the largest single languages in sub-Saharan Africa. Many thanks to Joke for her assistance with my phonetic transcription of the lullaby.

2022 IS OFF TO AN EXCITING START!

SATURDAY 22ND JANUARY

I am over the moon to be able to announce that I learned yesterday evening that one of my prose pieces called “The Jumper” was runner up in the Federation of British Columbia Writers’ annual literary contest within the category of flash fiction. Over the course of the past week, I have had the thrill of seeing my name on the long and then shortlist before being notified yesterday afternoon that I was on the runners up and winners list announced yesterday. “The Jumper” will be published in the spring in the first contest winners’ anthology to be produced by the FBCW which is yet more fantastic news!

Having dedicated the last few months of 2021 to finishing the final edit of my contemporary novel, a boost of confidence for my prose – as opposed to my poetry – could not have come at a better time. The novel is completed and I am now tasked with defining its route to publication; an exciting journey that will be the subject of future blogs.

For full details of all the winning entries, please visit the Federation of BC Writers website:

https://www.bcwriters.ca/contest-winners-2021

THE JUMPER by Clare Winstanley

What the judge wrote about my flash fiction prose entry:

The Runner Up: The Jumper by Clare Winstanley

A woman appraises a piece of her knitting and tells a story in colour and stitch and pattern—each deliberately chosen to record specific memories in wool. She’s an artist, no doubt. Every word and detail work together to set a mood, to set us up for a wicked twist of an ending. I’m always a fan of the love story and I love being surprised. I thought “The Jumper” was very well done.

— Judge Ursula Vaira

December … and loving being local!

Thrilled to find my book centre stage on a display at Vancouver Island Regional Library, Sooke Branch, showcasing and celebrating the achievements of local authors and poets!

Christmas Spirit was much in evidence at the iconic Sooke Community Hall this past weekend. I most happily took my place for the day at the Sooke Writers’ Collective stall in the Christmas Market where book sales were excellent. It was such a treat to be able to hold the market again this winter!

We helped match many a name on a Christmas list with a suitable book as well as meeting several members of the community keen to join the Collective!

Thank you to fellow authors and poets Deb Clay (dlclay) Deborah Lambert (D.Lambert) Richard Ashton and Wendy Herring (W.M.Herring) for such an enjoyable and rewarding day at the Fair.

November brought yet more exciting news!

The Reading Room and Library (doors at end on right) at the Union Club of British Columbia, Victoria

Such an honour to have had copies of BITS OF STRING & THREAD purchased by the UC Library as part of its private collection.

LIVE POETRY READING A HUGE SUCCESS!

THE UNION CLUB OF BRITISH COLUMBIA , 11th September, 2021

Here I am in the sumptuous décor of the Reading Room at the Union Club, in front of an audience of over twenty people on Saturday afternoon, 11th September, 2021. The event started with my reading five of my most recently published poems during a thirty minute performance. This was then followed by an informal interactive question and answer session which lasted for over forty five minutes!

Thank you to each and every one of the general membership and book club members who attended and asked me such fascinating and stimulating questions! Your positive feedback and encouragement was much appreciated.

Huge thank you to Kristin Backlund, Union Club Librarian and Book Clubs Coordinator for hosting this inaugural UC authors’ event and to Danielle Scott, Sales and Engagement Manager, the Union Club of BC for your assistance with planning and organisation.

#unionclubofbc #myclubmakeityours #sookewriterscollective #spokenwordpoetry

MY NEXT LIVE POETRY READING IS AT THE UNION CLUB OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, BC

I can confirm today that I have been invited to give a live performance of a selection of poems from BITS OF STRING & THREAD on Saturday, 11th September, 2021, to members of this luxurious private club in the heart of downtown Victoria.

THE UNION CLUB OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

I love the decorative front facade of this hundred-year-old classic building, located on Gordon Street. Many of its sumptuously refurbished reception and dining areas overlook Victoria Harbour, the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the breathtaking Olympic Mountain range beyond.

A huge thank you to Kristin Backlund, Union Club Librarian and Book Clubs Coordinator and to Danielle Scott, Sales & Engagement Manager, The Union Club of British Columbia for this exciting invitation.

FRIDAY EVENING’S LIVE READING AT THE GALLERY

was such a fun event! It was so special to be in front of a live audience once again and to be able to share five original pieces – four from BITS OF STRING & THREAD and one from ALL THE ELEMENTS. What a luxury to be able to mingle afterwards, admiring the artwork, photography, jewelry, sculptures and textiles on display in the Gallery around us. Such a unique and perfect setting for a live reading.

Thank you to staff and volunteers at the Gallery by Sooke Arts Council for all your assistance in making the event such a success.

Photos (c) Richard Ashton 2021

I received this stunning bouquet at the end of my performance.