Choose Your Own Adventure: Canadian Writing Groups

Please watch this first!

 

Let's Begin.
FIRST QUESTION: Poetry, Prose, Script, Journalism, or Translating?

Poetry:  Please Skip down to section One and continue.

Prose: Please skip down to section Two and continue.

Script: Please skip down to section Three and continue.

Journalism: Please skip down to section Four and continue.

Translating: Please skip down to section Five and continue.

 

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SECTION ONE: Poetry
Hello poets.  From here you're at your ending.  That's right, no more questions.  Poets have their own groups usually, it's sort of hard to divide up from there.

For you I would encourage you to check out the 'League of Canadian Poets' here: http://poets.ca/wordpress/

They are a group focused on getting poets equal opportunities in the literary world.  They are all for the poets.
Please head on down to Section 6.

 

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SECTION TWO: Prose
Well, hello, writers.  You've got a couple of options moving on from here so let's get to the next question:

Do you write about science?  If the answer is yes, please jump down to Section 2.A.

Not science? Do you write children stories?  If so please, move on to Section 2.B.

Still nothing? Do you write crime stories?  Section 2.C is for you then.

Are you published? Section 2.D please and thank you.

If you answer no to these questions, have no fear  ̶  there's still a place for you.  Some associations just have a broader spectrum which includes all forms of writing.  Those are likely for you.  Please head on down to Section 6.

 

 

SECTION 2.A: Science Writers
That's right!  There is a Canadian group for writers focusing on science called the 'Canadian Science Writers' Associtation'.  Go on and check it out here: http://www.sciencewriters.ca/

They are out to increase public attention to science in Canadian culture and you can help! Please head on down to Section 6.

 

 

SECTION 2.B: Children's Literature
Yes, children's authors have a place in the Canadian association sea too.  In fact it's right here, the' Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers': http://www.canscaip.org/

People who illustrate children's books and performers are also welcome here.  It's all about bringing attention to the section of Canadian culture focused around children.
Please head on down to Section 6.

 

 

SECTION 2.C: Crime Writers
Are you surprised you have your own group?  Well don't be, it's right around the corner, the 'Crime Writers of Canada': http://www.crimewriterscanada.com/

They are out to raise the profile of Canadian crime writers through everything from libraries to the media.
Please head on down to Section 6.

 

 

SECTION 2.D: Published Writers
So you're doing awesome so far and have already published.  Good for you.  You've now got a group to help encourage you to keep going and help you work through the tough places! 'Writer's Union of Canada':  http://www.writersunion.ca/

Keep going and don't give up!
Please head on down to Section 6.

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SECTION THREE: Script
Hello, playwrights.  You have gone as far as you can go.  It's difficult to divide script up anymore so you're done with silly questions.

 

Your group, or should I say guild, is here: the 'Playwrights Guild of Canada:  http://www.playwrightsguild.ca/

 

This group is here to advance your rights and interests not only on a national level but an international one, too.
Please head on down to Section 6.

SECTION FOUR: Journalism
You've reached the end of the journey, no more questions, just an association.

 

Journalism is a great profession and it's even better knowing that you've got others on your side.  Am I right?  Well, look no further than here:  the 'Canadian Association of Journalism: http://www.caj.ca/

 

This group acts like your voice in hard times when the media gets challenged.  You're not in it alone!
Please head on down to Section 6.

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SECTION FIVE: Translating
All questions are done for you.  You get your answer here and now.  Whoot!

You've got a group:   the 'Literary Translators' Association of Canada';  http://www.attlc-ltac.org/node

They're out to promote the art of literary translations.  Nice to have some help right?
Please head on down to Section 6.

 

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SECTION SIX
You're near the end. 

 

You might have noticed that I wasn't lying when I said there were a lot of Canadian groups and associations for writers.  Above are the more specific ones depending on the genre and style you write in, but there are some general groups.  I would suggest you check them out as well.

 

There's the 'Writer's Guild of Canada': http://www.writersguildofcanada.com/
They help with international rights for Canadian writers.

 

There's the 'CWILA' (Canadian Women in the Literary Arts): http://www.cwila.com/
They're working on equal rights for all in the Canadian Literary field.

 

AND THERE'S EVEN MORE:

French Writers: http://www.alcq-acql.ca/
Italian Canadian Writers: http://www.aicw.ca/
and
Christian Writers: http://www.inscribe.org/  and   http://www.thewordguild.com/

 

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So, believe me when I say there is a place for everyone.

Hope this helped you at least narrow it all down.

 

 



 

Hope that helps you all!

Writing: Stick to it!

As a hopeful writer, passionate in the art of the written word, I have often thought to myself “What the hell am I going to do with writing?” If you talk to any non-writer in the world, it seems they will ask you the same question. Usually, the conversation proceeds as follows: “What would you like to do after you graduate?” 
Me: “Honestly, I would really like to pursue a career in writing.” 
Other person: “Oh... And when that fails?”

"Really dude?"

It seems as though no one wants us to be writers anymore. It’s one of those jobs where, unless you are producing the next Harry Potter saga, people tend not to care. Or they think they don't care. What people fail to realize almost every time is that writing is a fundamental part of almost all jobs, and it just happens that having a passion for it usually means you’re good at it. Behind a brilliant politician, is a writer hearing his speech performed. In a commercial, someone somewhere is listening to the line that they wrote.

Writing is not limited to creativity, and being a good writer can get you so far. I know from my own experience that having a “power with words” can really progress you through a career, even if that career only happens to be a summer job.

I love writing. Even if I don’t end up being the next J.K. Rowling, why should I let that get in the way of my passion? There are many careers such as journalism, magazines, publishing, teaching, and even being a professor for a creative writing class, which can accent your love of writing. Yet no matter the job, just having the ability to write well will work tremendously in your favor.

I believe wholeheartedly that if you believe in something strong enough, it will happen.Don't let those non-writers bring you down. As my mother would always say, they're just jealous!

"Thanks Mom!"