Wakan “on the go” with new Compositions
By Bruce Mason, Gabriola Sounder
Monday, March 24 2008
Naomi Beth Waken - who turns 77 this year - is currently juggling four new manuscripts, releasing one book, waiting for another to be printed, with a contract for a third in the wings, while maintaining a busy reading and workshop schedule.
Last weekend, she joined 52 notable writers at the Pacific Festival of the Book in Victoria where she launched her latest work, Compositions, Notes on the written word, manned a vendor’s table and conducted a packed workshop for older writers, among other things.
This weekend she’s launching Compositions here at home. You catch up with her at Page’s, Sunday, March 30th, from 2 to 4 pm. And you won’t be disappointed.
Prepare to be encouraged, amused and challenged. Bring along $20 plus tax to buy a signed copy at the free event. Also plan to arrive early. Naomi has earned a reputation for attracting large crowds, as well as holding their attention.
Compositions is classic Wakan who is clearly at home and highly qualified on the subjects: writing and reading.
A voracious reader, as well as prolific writer, she and her husband and fellow artist Eli check out at least 20 books every week from the local library.
“My favourite activity is to float around on the couch with a book, notepad at hand in case a quote strikes me or an idea for a poem, or book,” Naomi reported.
She is widely recognized as an authority on writing. Here’s a little gem from Compositions. First a Martin Luther quote - “How soon ‘not now’ becomes ‘never.’” - which resonates with writers who procrastinate and what writer doesn’t?
“Over the years I have found my ways of procrastination have changed.... These days for delay, almost as would a miser counting his gold, I’ve taken to gathering all my pens and pencils from the various nooks where they have been scattered. I lay them out on the dining-room table and then apportion them to the various rooms of the house where they can be at hand should inspiration arise,” writes Wakan.
“Before the allocation, however, it is my job to go down to the basement, where a pencil sharpener is screwed to the wall, and sharpen all those bright yellow pencils. I do this procrastinating ritual at least once a week,” she added.
On the page, in person, in the example there is ample evidence of Wakan’s perfection of what she calls the “stab.” She has polished the device to a sharp point of precision wielded with the timing a superb stand-up comic, putting everything in proportion and perspective, often joyfully.
In a recent conversation she tossed a few “stabs,” which cut to the chase and heart of one of her favorite topics: ageism.
“It takes two years from manuscript phase to printed book and a potential publisher who was considering investing in me wondered aloud if I would still be around in 2010,” she reported.
“And recently after I asked a printer in Nanaimo to recommend someone who binds books, I received an E-mail including a comment to the bookbinder which he neglected to delete, referring to me as ‘an old biddy from Gabriola.’
“I don’t mind and tease them about it,” Naomi continued gleefully. “Like a tall woman who is advised to wear high heels, I accentuate my perceived worst feature.”
In fact, she inspires many older writers by example, with books like Late Bloomers and popular workshops she describes as a “kick in the butt and a pat on the shoulder.”
For example, she asks participants to stand and read aloud what they have written all at the same time to overcome shyness.
The cover of Compositions is a photo by Eli of mailboxes for the upscale houseboats on Granville Island. And her latest work delivers a welcome armful of messages for everyone, from plagiarism to problems with publishers, and poetry, particularly Haiku, from the moment of inspiration to the art of the back cover endorsement.
In between, she considers censorship, why she can’t write a murder mystery, and how to introduce children to poetry so they learn to love it.
Drawing from a vast repertoire of work and experience - she once had 60 extra poems on hand when a publisher unexpectedly requested them. - in Compositions, she provides witty, comprehensive improvisations on the creative process.
More than one writer describes reading the book as a sitting down with an old friend to find answers insights and advice, “a delicious cup of tea.”
I view it like a bottomless pot that never grows cold or loses its flavour.
She is at her best on her feet, “making eye contact and having something to tell people.” Next stop: Page’s Resort & Marina, Sunday, March 30th, from 2 to 4 pm. Wakan recommends spending time at the wonderful new book case at the entranceway.
If you are unable to attend, reserve a signed copy of Compositions by calling 247-8931.
“Now what?” I asked her. “I can only launch one book at a time but have another one ready that will be of keen interest to Gabriolans,” concluded Naomi Beth Wakan, for now.
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