J^r*-~^TgZr iy, October 21,1993 --3 Brian E. O'Meara -City Editor 962-9171 Ex 52 INTE Margaret Dyment top poet and short story author By Jack Evans The Intelligencer When a man is his own worst enemy the fight is always to a finish. Returning home to conduct writing workshop A native Bellevillian, who has earned a reputation as one of Canada's top writers of poetry and short stories, will conduct a creative writing workshop back in her home town. Margaret Dyment, the former Margaret Slavin, now resides in Victoria, where she is a writer, editor and teacher of creative writing. She has been published widely in literary magazines and anthologies and has a regular literary column in the Victoria Times-Colonist. Before moving to Victoria, she operated her own private writing teaching school, called Write Away, based in Ottawa. She has taught as a writing professional for various universities and school boards, including Carleton University, Kingston school board and in Victoria schools. Sponsored by the Quinte Arts Council, the creative writing workshop is a new venture for the council, reported Susan Stevenson, executive director. Dyment Advance bookings for the one-day session on Saturday, Nov. 6 in the Recreation building, cost $40, and the fee includes lunch. Theme of the workshop is "The Stories in Your Life," through which students will creatively develop their own life experiences into fictional art. One of Dyment's biggest fans is her sister, Elizabeth Slavin, who still resides in Belleville. "Writing has always been her focus," she said in an interview. Slavin is co-ordinator for the women's project of the Quinte Literacy organization. She sees creative writing as an incentive to those she works with to expand their knowledge and interest in writing, and is encouraging several to take the workshop. "I expect a lot of people in the Belleville area will remember her," she added. A graduate of Queen's University, Dyment taught for a short time at Quinte Secondary School, and before moving to Ottawa, she and her husband lived in the Foxboro area. Dyment has won several awards and literary citations for her work. This past spring, she helped judge the Canadian Authors' Association poetry competition. Her publications include: I Didn't Get Used To It; Tracing a Line; The Personals; Never Seek to Destroy; and Owlgirl in Fiddlehead. Dyment has also been actively involved in the Peace Movement. For further information or to register, call the arts council office at 962-1232. On the Thursday preceding the workshop, Dyment will be featured in a public reading of some of her works. That takes place on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Eastminster United Church. Admission for the readings is free. ELIZABETH SLAVIN ...sister reads 1 didn't get used to it.'