Gibsons writer Sheila Cameron believes that everyone has the potential to live a supernova life, though sometimes we lack the confidence or the courage to shine. That’s the backbone behind her new book, Shine Bright: Live a Supernova Life. Cameron will be reading from her book and discussing it with the audience at a three-author event at the Sechelt Library on Thursday, March 30. She will read from her collection of essays and share the stage with two other Coast non-fiction writers: Heather Conn and Claire Finlayson.
In a preview reading at the Gibsons Library on March 18, Cameron reminded the audience of the Trooper song that incites us to “raise a little hell.” She has found the confidence to do just that and make some changes in her life and those of her family.
“What if you turned off the news,” she asks, “and cut off those negative fuel sources?”
The family’s decision to home school (or unschool) the kids was founded on her belief that children or adults will always learn when they are motivated to do so. Allowing the kids to pursue their own interests has been successful so far – the family has travelled together and learned together. (Her children, who were in the audience, chipped in to say how much they liked it.) Cameron also asks: how open to change are we? Whether it’s making a decision to go without diapers on infants or going carless for a year, it’s these small steps that can have a big effect on the environment.
Three Writers – One Genre is the title of the author event and courage is the quality that ties them together. The evening is produced by the Federation of BC Writers, a province-wide association of writers which has discovered the bevy of Sunshine Coast authors.
Claire Finlayson will be reading from her as yet unpublished manuscript about her undiagnosed autistic brother. The book is titled Ray’s Planet in reference to how Ray sees the world. Ray has always found the social world to be an ordeal, a test he is doomed to fail no matter how many times “The Rules” are explained to him. He has never been able to figure out which truths are acceptable to speak out loud and which ones will trigger swift and severe social penalties. But Ray, who might helpfully suggest in polite conversation that your makeup makes you look like a prostitute, is astonishingly eloquent and graceful in writing.
“He’s a free diver,” Finlayson says. “He says that all of his problems go when he’s in the water. The deeper he goes, the longer he stays down there.”
Heather Conn of Roberts Creek is working on a memoir of her experience of healing from incest titled No Letter in Your Pocket, and she will read from a chapter in which she confronts her father. Demonizing the man doesn’t help people to understand, she notes.
“I really want to show people that you can get to the point of compassion and forgiveness,” she said. “You can go through hell and come out the other side.” She’s been working on the memoir for a very long time, but one thing that keeps her going is the act of breaking the silence on the topic. Conn has had three books published with two more pending. She works as a freelance writer/editor and writing coach/instructor.
Each reader will have 20 minutes and time right after their talk for questions and discussion with the audience. The event is at Sechelt Library on Thursday, March 30 at 7 p.m. It’s free admission, and registration is required. Call 604-885-3260 or drop by the library.
