“For the Love of Writing” – Mr. Wayne Ng, a Well-known Chinese writer, came to Edmonton to give a Lecture

Reporter: Roxanne Reimer

知名华裔作家吴韦恩先生

Change is in the air, and with it comes the promise of new beginnings and boundless possibilities. Humbly founded in 2009, the Edmonton Chinese Writers Club (ECWC) has stood as a source of inspiration, dedicated to exploring and sharing the richness of Chinese culture, fostering literary connections, and promoting unity within our diverse community.

In a collaborative effort with the Edmonton Public Library (EPL), the ECWC recently hosted its very first in-person Writers Workshop, featuring the accomplished fiction novelist, Wayne Ng. Hailing from Toronto and born to Chinese immigrants, Wayne Ng is not only an accomplished Social Worker but also a highly regarded Author, whose unwavering commitment to the literary world is truly commendable. His most recent books are LETTERS FROM JOHNNY, which was named Best Crime Novella of the Year in 2022, and THE FAMILY CODE, ranked among the best novels of 2023 by The 49th Shelf and The Miramichi Reader. Ng delivered not one, but two remarkable sessions to a diverse group of writers, each with their own unique interests and aspirations in the world of writing.

On a memorable Sunday, May 12th, Ng led a captivating Youth Writers Workshop, engaging children aged 7 to 15 with his contagious enthusiasm and passion for storytelling. Witnessing the young participants’ eagerness to learn and their sheer joy in the creative process was truly heartwarming. Ng’s ability to create an environment where learning was not only informative but also enjoyable left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

Continuing his impactful journey, Ng also led an Adult Writers Workshop on Monday, May 13th. Conducted in English with live Mandarin translation, this exclusive session catered to aspiring writers eager to hone their craft. The workshop was moderated by Roxanne Riemer, a board director. Shi, Ying, the president, Zhang, Wencui, the vice president, some board directors and members of the ECWC, and community writing enthusiasts attended the workshop. Ng generously shared insights from his own writing journey, from the intricacies of storytelling to the realities of publication and promotion. Participants left feeling empowered and inspired, armed with a newfound appreciation for the art of writing.

Wayne Ng’s visit to Edmonton marked not only a celebration of literature and culture but also a testament to the power of storytelling to connect people of all ages and backgrounds. As we reflect on the inspiring workshops, let us carry forward the spirit of creativity, learning, and community that was ignited during these transformative sessions. With each word written and shared, may we continue to inspire and uplift one another, embodying the essence of literary citizenship and the pursuit of endless storytelling possibilities.

In the words of Ng himself, “If you garden, you can call yourself a gardener. If you love to cook, you can call yourself a cook. If you hike, you can call yourself a hiker. If you play the guitar, you can call yourself a musician. If you think and act like a writer—that is, if you are observant, curious, a dreamer, a storyteller, if you love putting words together—you are a writer. And you belong.”

Connect with Wayne at WayneNgWriters.com

Roxanne and Wayne

翻译：温孝东

发展变化的气息弥漫在空气中，带来了新的开始和无限的可能性。成立于2009年的爱城笔友会（Edmonton Chinese Writing Club），致力于探索和分享中华文化的丰富内涵，促进文学与文化交流，并在我们多元化的社区中推进团结与和谐。

在与埃德蒙顿市公共图书馆（EPL）的通力合作下，爱城笔友会最近邀请杰出的小说家吴韦恩来爱城举办了今年首场线下作家培训。吴韦恩来自多伦多，出生于华裔移民家庭，他既是一名出色的社会工作者，也是备受尊敬的作家，其对文学世界的坚定持守令人敬佩。他的最新作品《约翰尼的信》被评为2022年度最佳犯罪中篇小说，而《家庭密码》则被The 49th Shelf和The Miramichi Reader评为2023年最佳小说之一。吴韦恩为爱城一群各有兴趣和抱负的作家们带来了两场精彩的讲座。

在一个令人难忘的星期天，5月12日，吴韦恩主持了一场引人入胜的少儿作家培训，吸引了一群7至15岁的孩子们。他那富有感染力的热情和对故事讲述的激情让人深受鼓舞。看到年轻参与者们渴望学习和在创作过程中展现出的纯粹快乐，真是令人感动。吴韦恩创造了一个不仅具有教育意义而且充满乐趣的学习环境，给所有在场者留下了深刻的印象。

接下来，吴韦恩于5月13日星期一又奉献了一场成人作家培训。这场独特的讲座以英语进行，并配有现场普通话翻译，专为渴望提高写作技能的作家们准备。讲座由笔友会理事Roxanne Riemer主持。笔友会会长石英、副会长张文翠与笔友会部分理事、会员，还有社区写作爱好者到现场参加了讲座。在讲座中，Wayne Ng慷慨地分享了他自己写作旅程中的见解，包括故事讲述的细节到书籍出版和推广的经验。参与者们带着新的力量和灵感离开，对写作艺术有了新的认识。

吴韦恩的埃德蒙顿之行不仅是对文学和文化的弘扬，也是对故事讲述力量的见证，故事的力量能够有机地连接不同年龄和背景的人们。回顾这两场鼓舞人心的讲座培训，它们激励我们继续发扬在这些变革性讲座中激发的创造力、学习和社区精神。讲座虽然结束了，但是其中的每一句话和分享的文字，都在继续激励和鼓舞我们去体现文学公民的本质和追求无尽的故事讲述可能性。

正如吴韦恩自己所说：“如果你种花，你可以称自己为园丁；如果你喜欢烹饪，你可以称自己为厨师；如果你徒步旅行，你可以称自己为徒步者；如果你弹吉他，你可以称自己为音乐家；如果你像作家一样思考和行动——也就是说，如果你是一个观察者、好奇者、梦想家、故事讲述者，并且喜欢将文字组合在一起——你就是一名作家。你属于这个群体。”

请访问WayneNgWrites.com与Wayne联系。

韦恩与部分参会者合影留念