Friday the 13th has always had a bad atmosphere around it and a local writer has decided to change that.
Cindy Shantz is holding the first Creative Magic on Oct. 13, a night of readings by amateur writers. Shantz said the idea for the event just came to her one day. She wanted to give people who haven't been published an opportunity to do readings of their works.
"I think it's a real boost to a person's self esteem when they're in a group that's supportive and they know everybody else is in the same position," she said. "And they get the applause they need."
Creative Magic starts at 7 p.m. at the Nanaimo Art Gallery downtown and has a wide variety of writing performances, performed by colleagues and friends of Shantz. Fran Thiessen, co-organizer, will tell her story The Rock Village, Andrew Brown will read a poem Crow's First World, Eliza Gardiner is presenting the musical drama Concession of a Wannabe Rock Star, Joy Andrews will perform a dramatic monologue Standards, written by Shantz, Rebecca Friessen will present an excerpt from the novel Fallen Angel, HawkOwl will read from Myths We Have Lived By and Other Stories and Shantz will read a personal essay Creative Magic.
She said she hopes the evening is inspirational for both the audience and the writers and entertaining, but there is another goal. Funds raised from ticket sales will go towards a scholarship for a needy writer to the Victoria School of Writing next summer. The evening will also be a big accomplishment for the writers, Shantz added. Some have been putting off taking that first step, whether it's starting a novel, a play or an essay and this event is a good change to get people out of their comfort zones.
"People talk a lot about their dreams and what they want to do, but to get started is so difficult," Shantz said. "It's about taking that first step."
Visual artists Lauren Kent and Janis Uvanile will be showing their work at the show. Shantz, who taught English in Nanaimo at Nanaimo District Secondary School and John Barsby Community School, is retired and says writing has kept her busy and inspired. Tickets for Creative Magic are available through email only by [email protected].