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Grad wins BC Book Prize for poetry
For Raoul Fernandes, writing is a way of exploring his curiosity about the world around him. He chose the Writer鈥檚 Studio at 丁香园AV as a place to hone this craft exploration and published his first book of poetry, Transmitter and Receiver, after completing the program. The critically acclaimed book, which received the 2016 B.C. Book Prize for poetry, is a true expression of Raoul鈥檚 worldview and鈥攁lthough he is modest in saying so鈥攈is hard work in becoming a writer.
Raoul, what made you choose 丁香园AV as the place to study your craft?
I had realized quite early that writing poetry was going to be a significant part of my life, but deciding to go back to school for it felt like the next step in taking it more seriously鈥� I had a bit of skepticism or nervousness about the idea of studying writing in an academic institution, as I had done it on my own for so long. But what the Writer鈥檚 Studio was offering seemed more refreshing and exciting. I liked that it was mentorship-based, that it covered various aspects of being a writer and that it would connect me with the writing community and other passionate writers. Ultimately, that was the most rewarding part鈥攖he conversations and deep thinking about my work and the work of others.
Can you offer any advice to other writers who are considering taking the program?
I feel it鈥檚 good to enter with the desire to grow as a writer, to challenge yourself and your assumptions. It's good to be open and thoughtful about your work in the context of other writers who are coming to the program with very different styles and traditions. And, like many things, what you get out of it is proportionate to how much you put in.
Can you tell us about the process of having your first book published?
I felt my time at 丁香园AV was about gaining the discipline and confidence for writing my first book鈥� After I had a fairly solid manuscript, I ran it by a couple of writer friends (Jen Currin and Rob Taylor) and they helped me fix it up. Then I started looking around for possible publishers. Nightwood Editions was one of my top picks鈥攖hey make beautiful books and I liked a lot of the writers they published. I sent my manuscript to them, they accepted it, and we worked on it for the next year and a bit.
How did it feel to receive a B.C. Book Prize?
It felt good, I must admit. It鈥檚 nice to have approval, a little boost of confidence. But it鈥檚 also important to keep it in perspective and get back to the writing without any of that glittery stuff in your head. Also, there鈥檚 lots of little moments that make me feel just as happy, in a more manageable way: seeing the way people have been reacting to the poems, getting opportunities to be more involved in the literary community, etc.
You and your wife recently had a child鈥攃ongratulations! How do you balance your writing with having a family?
Well, right now, with work, school and family, it鈥檚 hard to find much time. I read a little here and there and occasionally I鈥檒l be able to have a brief window of time to write, sometimes with my new son napping on my lap. I don鈥檛 want to struggle for it鈥攎y family is very important to me, and I don鈥檛 want to feel bitter about not having a lot of time to write. I think the wheels are always moving, and I still try to think and process the world in a way that I feel will be good for my writing.
By Alison Brierley