Hi, my name is Courtney and I am late for most things I do - including my introduction for this lovely blog called Hot Air.

Due to some seriously annoying electricity problems in my apartment, I have been without access to a computer for extended periods of time, all weekend. Luckily I have a box full of fuses, and a call out to my caretaker, so the possibility of being without electricity for another night is somewhat reduced.

All that aside, I am back as a blogger for a second year in a row, and I’m really excited about that. Last year I was all bright eyed and bushy tailed about the festival. It was my first time hearing of it, and on top of that I had the major responsibility of writing about my daily treks through the land of books and authors and readings and questions.

It was overwhelming to say the least.

This year I’m looking forward to coming back to feeling more grounded - less easily swept up with the magical of it all.

You know?

I’d like to keep my feet on the ground and look at things critically. Seriously.

Because writing is strictly serious business, right?

…………………

Ok so here’s what I think will actually happen - the magic will still be there, and I will be plagued with questions of what drives authors to write? Where does their motivation come from? What does it mean to be a writer?

(you know, because I'm a big fan of the impossible questions)

I will be caught up in all of the different styles and ways that people find to say what they feel is most important to have heard.

I will be lost in the variations of what people consider important to have heard.

So, hopefully with the help of a trained electrician, and the magic of the festival pulling me along through the week, I will be able to share with you some of the things I find most compelling, funny, and obscure.

And hopefully I won’t be late for everything....

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Courtney Slobogian was born in Winnipeg and likes it that way.

She is a writer/understated activist/ irreverent feminist.

Some of her work can be tracked down in quiet corners of the internet.

She co-hosts a radio show on CKUW called Tiger Lilies are Poisonous, and dislikes cotton socks. She wrote a thesis once.

Hey all,

My name is Ariel Gordon and this is my third year blowing HOT AIR.

This year, I'm planning to take in as much of the festival as is possible. I always enjoy the nooners and the afternoon book chats and I take great pains to attend at least a couple of the readings at Red River College and the U of Wpg during the day.

And then there are the Mainstages. I usually plan to attend far more of the Mainstages than I actually get to. I'm not sure why that is, but...this year, I'll definitely be at the Poetry Bash on Wednesday and It's About Love, Actually on Thursday.

I'm also going to continue to post pictures of writers' hands, something I started last year during the second part of the week.

Mostly, I'm going to try to make sure that the stomach flu that kept me from Opening Night yesterday doesn't keep me from any more of the festival. Nasty inconvenient virus!

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Ariel Gordon is the Winnipeg-based author of two recent small press chapbooks and has had poetry published in fine lit mags such as Carousel, PRISM International and Prairie Fire.

Her first collection of poetry, Hump, is forthcoming from Ontario's Palimpsest Press in spring 2010.

When not being bookish, Ariel likes tromping through the woods taking macro photographs of mushrooms.

Hi. My name is Jay. Some of you may remember me from last year. I was the guy who had a few misgivings about the Winnipeg International Writer’s Festival. Well after some soul searching and a few good conversations with a doctor friend of mine, I’m willing to say, I may have in fact judged the festival and its administration a little harshly.

Seems they’re not really out to do you a disservice. While I’m still a little unnerved by the amount of literary power this Charlene Diehl woman has amassed, according to my well placed sources, nothing nefarious is going on. Sorry.

Now, with that bit of nastiness out of the way, on to brighter things, stories about me.

A few days ago, my wife and I were having a few beverages. It was one of our beers of the world tours. As I was pouring a fine light beer from Japan, I noticed that the rim of the can had been engineered with a concave lip. It was constructed in a manner that allowed it to 'hook' onto the side of the glass. This made pouring simple and dripless. When I pointed out this marvel of modern engineering to my wife, she responded with “that’s why I drive a Honda.” I nodded my head in agreement.

All this talk about Japanese engineering got me to thinking about writer’s festivals. You see, when the Winnipeg festival brings you amazing writers like Christian Bok and George Elliot Clarke for a measly 12 bucks on the main stage, that’s like buying a Honda. Great product, great value. Sure your BMW’s are nice and all, but who wants to pay 20 bucks to see John Irving in Calgary? He’s not even Canadian.

Could you spot the 8 dollar difference? I know I couldn’t. And most importantly, what should you be doing for your family in this tough new fiscal reality? You know the answer. Anyway, that’s all for now, but be sure to check back here for regular updates and stories about me from the festival. Take care all and until next time, please drive a Honda by going to the main stage.

J
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Jason Diaz is a Winnipeg-based writer and stay at home dad. His poetry and prose has been published in dark leisure magazine. Last year he joined the Thin Air collective and has been awaiting the festival’s arrival ever since. He has still only been interviewed by The Uniter once, and is sadly no longer licensed to drive forklift.