Vancouver Writers: Resources

Confessing to anyone that you're a writer can be a harrowing experience. Laughter, faked enthusiasm, and even something akin to ridicule are just some of the things a would-be writer can face. And that's just from family members.

But while New York and Montreal do seem to have the prettier pedigree when it comes to the pencils of Mordechai Richler or Tom Wolfe there's still a few notable resources here in Vancouver for any aspiring professional liar, er, writer.

Read on to find out where...

First stop, SFU's Writing and Publishing Program.
Not a bad place to start. It's completely catered to anyone with even a gleaning interest in really writing. Classes that are particularly great are Creative Writing: Building a Career ($50) , Getting Down to Real Writing ($280), and The Publishing Landscape ($260). On top of that there's always speakers stopping by, most of whom are definitely worth listening to. And if you're really gung ho then you can even complete the whole curriculum and earn yourself a certificate degree. But a word to the wise, they advertise a few computer courses but if you want those then head up the street to BCIT.
All in all, a great place to start.

Second stop, West End Writer's.
Even better than SFU. Theory is great and all, but only practice makes perfect. That's why this place (and people) are killer. The first three Tuesdays of each month a group of dedicated, honest, published and unpublished alike, get together to read, critique and share each other's work. Writers are always saying how writing groups are worth while. It's true. You wouldn't ask your doctor to take a look at your transmission so why are you handing your manuscript to your best friend/hair dresser (even though they're really nice).

Third stop, Pandora's Collective.
No, it's not what was left over in that little box of hope, it's a collection of gatherings to display your work openly (very openly). There's the Twisted Poets Literary Salon (3rd Monday of every month) for the rhymers. Word Whips Writing Series (1st Wednesday of every month) for the story-tellers. And Upstart Crow Reading Series for the readers which is scheduled frequently.

My favorite (because I'm no poet) is the Word Whips. You get a topic, 10-15 mins to 'whip' something out, then read it in front of an audience and get judged. Sounds harsher than it is but there's no better way for you to get test your words on read people because, after all, a writer with no audience is a 60+ Alabama neo-con with no Viagra.

Last stop, your desk. To write. Because no one does it for you no matter how 'smart' you think you are.

SFU Writing & Publishing Program
515 West Hastings Street

West End Writer's
1447 Barclay St.
First Three Tues of Month
7-9:30 pm

Pandora's Collective
Euro Bakery Cafe
1468 Commercial Drive
First Wed of Month
7:30-10 pm