Richmond’s next writer-in-residence is kicking off his two-month program late September to share his skills and expertise as an acclaimed author and crime novelist.
Andrew Battershill, who released his second novel Marry, Bang, Kill this spring, will complete his residency in Richmond from Sept. 30 to Nov. 30. Throughout the two months, the author will hold several workshops and open office hours in partnership with Minoru Place Activity Centre, Richmond Arts Centre and Richmond Public Library.
For Battershill, writing residencies are an opportunity to get out into the community.
“You do writing and it’s kind of a solitary endeavour and publishing is kind of just its own little world,” Battershill told the Richmond News.
“So actually being able to take what I know about writing and my skills and to use them to help out in a community space and get out there and meet people is something I’m pretty passionate about.”
Battershill will share more than crime writing in his workshops, however. For example, one workshop – geared towards seniors – will centre on memoir writing.
“I feel like a lot of the seniors I’ve seen in these library programs are thinking about doing some life writing and reflecting on their life,” he said.
“I think that stuff is so interesting. Things are so different than they were.”
Battershill’s other workshop will focus on tools to elevate creative writing style.
“I think people kind of have a sense of there being all these rules or things they don’t know,” he said. “I found some people enjoy some more lesson-driven classes where they’re getting some information and learning more advanced techniques in a free, community setting.”
Battershill added that he likes highlighting these tools as things his students can “take or leave,” rather than strict rules.
“You can actually free up your creative practice by knowing the principles and tools at your disposal,” he said.
Battershill will launch his residency on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 1:30 p.m. at a reception on the rooftop garden of the Richmond Cultural Centre. The free event will run as part of Richmond’s Culture Days.
