Anansi: Jennifer, you host the literary show "In Other Words" on CKLN 88.1 FM. How has this changed your reading practices?
Jennifer: Primarily, I interview writers about their work, they read excerpts, and we play some songs -- writers' choice. I read differently for the show than I do for pleasure. I read with the author and their process in mind, less of "getting lost in a book" and more thinking about it in the context of the writer's other work, how it was written, its themes, structure, plotting -- basically reading more critically, like when I'm reviewing a book. I almost have to read these books twice -- once for pleasure, once for "work." This was especially with Gil Adamson's The Outlander; I enjoyed it so much that I just devoured it, and hadn't made notes like I usually do with a book I'm discussing on the show or reviewing, so I had to go back and reread most of it.
Anansi: You're active in DIY culture. How do you think DIY has impacted the lit scene?
Jennifer: Do It Yourself culture has always existed alongside mainstream culture. The word "chapbook" originates in Old English, referring to "chapmen" who were peddlers selling independently published booklets in the sixteenth century, often as a means of conveying information long before telecommunications. I find the "lit scene" to be a broad, amorphous concept, and I hesitate to separate DIY and literary culture, as there is much overlap and interplay, which makes for more choices, and more voices and points of view represented. Having said that, DIY culture often offers alternatives to mainstream publishing in terms of writing styles, and the creativity in the aesthetics of the concept of the "book" itself. For example, I am always energized and inspired after leading DIY publishing workshops with high school students -- the inventiveness and enthusiasm of the kids is amazing. Many are not content to self-publish their works on paper or online, but construct compelling and exciting objects to showcase their writing, using all sorts of found materials, like old vinyl LPs, wooden boxes, you name it. DIY is democratic and liberating and exciting, and like anything new, elements eventually seep into the mainstream; they're not mutually exclusive cultures and are rather symbiotic.
Anansi: Do you have a favourite Anansi author/book/passage?
Jennifer: I have a few favourites. Most recently the aforementioned The Outlander by Gil Adamson, as well as Ken Babstock's poetry, drift by Kevin Connolly, and an older favourite is Lynn Crosbie's Miss Pamela's Mercy.
Anansi: Where can we find you on the Information Highway?
Jennifer: www.jenniferlovegrove.com, www.waywardarmadillo.blogspot.com, and on Facebook, which I update much more often than my blog.
|
Follow us on facebook!
Follow us on twitter!
