I have spoken about writing historical fiction and my writing journey at writing conferences, public libraries and community centres, and am available to speak at your school, conference, library or community centre.
Background: I write historical fiction set in the 14th century that is centred around Geoffrey Chaucer’s life and writing. My arts education began with a family of artists (one sibling an opera singer, another a visual artist) and continued through studying English literature (and Chaucer) and then film in university. I produced dance videos (Karen Jamieson; Rosario Ancer) and documentaries about artists (including Jack Shadbolt, broadcast on CBC and Bravo!). My career as a successful marketing communications professional has been grounded by my love for words.
What kind of speaker will you get?: My approach is to engage audiences with personal anecdotes, images from my writing journey, and humour. I enjoy speaking about: the creative process; my own long and winding journey to getting published; how to bring a historical figure or author to life; fact vs. fiction; my various location research trips in Europe; what a critically important investment my English degree has been; and my take on the ten traits a writer must have to succeed (and what I think success as a writer means).
Additional topics include speaking about genre, theme, plot, character and structure, how texts (and personas) are historically and socially structured, and the importance of a critical mindset for developing one’s own creative voice (much like Chaucer).
I have many other areas I can cover and am happy to discuss and collaboratively develop a program that best suits your audience needs.
Please contact me at john.corry10 AT gmail.com to discuss.
Book Warehouse panel, Vancouver. Kauai Writers Conference panel. When Words Collide panel, Calgary