Nick Thran starts poetic stint as writer-in-residence
It's probably a good thing Nick Thran is setting up in Calgary for a while, seeing as he was attracted to poetry due to its expansive possibilities.
The new Canadian writer-in-residence in a distinguished program at the University of Calgary describes poetry as a wide-open plain that nestles into the particular expectations of readers.
Not that he can see any expanses just yet.
"My first impressions are smoky, and hilly in my neighbourhood. Beyond that I don't have too much to say about it, but I'm looking forward to finding out," he says of the city he'll call home for the next year.
1-year stint
The writer-in-residence is responsible for meeting writers in the community and doing one-on-one manuscript consultations, while also creating new personal work.
"I hope to finish a collection of essays, I hope to be able to be a good dad and I hope to explore the city as much as possible and to keep reading, keep writing and just keep the train going," said Thran.
His work, including his 2012 Trillium Book Award-winning collection Earworm, often features references to pop culture, including sports stars.
"I guess I just feel like nothing that I encounter or experience in my life is sort of antagonistic to poetry and the poetic process," he says of his subject matter.
He will read at the annual Hello/Goodbye event featuring the outgoing and incoming writers-in-residence on Sept. 10.
Anyone working on a writing project can book a consultation with Thran though the distinguished writers program site.
