Book launch of Island Lovers in Mauritius

I will be at Bookcourt book store in Bagatelle Mall, Moka, Mauritius on Saturday, August 6th, from 1-4 pm for the launch of my new book, Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius, and hope many of you who live there will join me.

I took the photos in the book during several visits to Mauritius, and the images inspired me to write poems on the island I left so long ago, an island that still brings back fond memories.

Looking forward to seeing you ...

Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius

Slowly emerging from my writing cave ... So excited to share my book cover. It will be out soon in Mauritius, and in Canada, later in the fall. Will keep you posted ...

Luminato Festival at The Hearn

What a thrilling experience to be at The Hearn yesterday. The Luminato Festival brought back to life this fascinating decommissioned generating station in a celebration of art, music, and dance. I hope this building becomes a new landmark for creative expression in Toronto. The festival runs from June 10th to 26th. Check the activities on Luminato's website

This giant, rotating mirror ball, continuously casting its refracted light over exposed steel beams, wires and peeling walls had a surreal effect,. I felt as if I was in a sci-fi movie, surrounded by ethereal creatures floating around.

Even the windows seem to be works of art ...

Le Pavillon, a makeshift restaurant on the upper floor of The Hearn. 

What a resourceful use of the generating station's control room.

Dining at Le Pavillon. 

A treat for those who made reservations, but since we did not, 

we were lucky to get last minute seats at the bar, and enjoyed the delicious French cuisine.

Majestic hallway, softly illuminated to bring out neat architectural details

One of my favourite sculptures, made of meshed acrylic

Industrial elements throughout the building

For more impressions on the Luminato Festival at The Hearn, check Schuster Gindin's article in Living Toronto

The Moon

Trying to post once a month, but obviously, I'm not fast enough. I took this photo of the moon on Sunday, May 22nd, the night Mars was visible as a bright red star in the sky. It was fascinating to see the red planet so much closer, and imagine that we could be there one day. However it appeared as a tiny insignificant dot in my camera. I have yet to experiment with astrophotography. But the moon, on the other hand, held the spotlight, the darkness, an essential part of its presence.

Working away on my photo and poetry book... putting all I've got into it and aiming for the moon, but I'd be happy to reach a star or even a meteorite ...

About writing

“Fiction is art and art is the triumph over chaos… to celebrate a world that lies spread out around us like a bewildering and stupendous dream.” 

John Cheever

I was walking through Cedarvale ravine a few weeks ago, and I came upon those bulrushes that have bursted into downy seeds since last fall. Still hanging in there, glowing in the soft light of dusk like an abstract painting. This quote from Cheever reflects my state of mind as I edit my poems and try to turn chaos into harmonious celebration ...

Writing and Photography

Sunset in Mauritius

Editing my poems feels like I'm purging, cleaning out the excesses so the verses stand out, trim, and muscled with imagery and emotions. It's been long months digging for words, or rather, thought-provoking little gems that have gestated from intense experiences, and can dance in rhythm on the page. Photographs in contrast are within a click of the camera. Even though there's a learning curve about technique, and sensitizing one's eyes to capture the mood and the story, the instant gratification is unmatched. Combining both is something I've wanted to do for a long time and I'm so excited that this baby is on its way ...

Photo and Poetry Book

Montagne du Rempart, Mauritius

I'm currently combining two of my passions and working on a photo and poetry book on Mauritius, the island where I was born. Sorry to disappoint those who are waiting for the novel on relationships ... it is still churning in the background and will be next, but the opportunity to have the photo and poetry book published this year came along ... 

I wish I could just keep writing and have a fairy godmother to do all the marketing for me, but the reality is that we writers, need to reach out to the public and promote our work. So, today, I added my blog on my Amazon Author Profile to reach out to you, readers. Feel free to comment as we start to know each other better through this blog that I hope to update weekly.

Letting go ...

“Holding on to anything is like holding on to your breath. You will suffocate. The only way to get anything in the physical universe is by letting go of it. Let go & it will be yours forever.”

Deepak Chopra

Happy Holidays from Toronto

Some photos from Asia

Victoria harbour, Hong Kong 

Meizhou, China

Gardens by the bay, Singapore

A river in the shopping mall of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

 Manila, Philippines

 Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Buddhist god playing music, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Detail of Buddhist temple, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Stilt house in Water Village, Brunei

Sentosa island, Singapore

Parking lot at Sentosa island, Singapore 

Nuit Blanche Toronto

Portraits glued on the grounds of Nathan Phillips Square

Wire sculptures at 401 Richmond Street

It was a cool fall evening, but enthusiastic crowds strolled through downtown Toronto and lined up at AGO, OCAD, and other venues to soak in the creativity of Nuit Blanche.

Relationships

Love has been on my thoughts lately. I'm writing a collection of short stories about what goes on in men's and women's minds and hearts when they are in committed relationships, and cheat. It is often said that life is stranger than fiction. In this collection, I'm extracting the essence of real situations and turning them into fiction.

I apologize to those who have been expecting a sequel to The Coral Heart. It will come at some point, but I was immersed in the1910-1950 period during the many years spent writing The Coral Heart, and it's refreshing to write about present times, and take a break from the past.

The Prison Book Club by Ann Walmsley

So proud to announce that Ann Walmsley, a very dear friend from my writing group, published her first book, The Prison Book Club, with Penguin Random House.

I was fascinated by Ann's story from the very beginning and it's been an incredible learning journey to support, and witness the progression of this thought-provoking book before it came to life. Ann's clear authentic voice, her warmth and courage resonate throughout this captivating non-fiction that will shatter many preconceptions.

The Prison Book Club can be pre-ordered and will be available soon in Canada, U.S., U.K. and all the commonwealth countries. Check her website for more info about Ann and her book.

Congratulations Ann. I will be cheering for you all the way to literary stardom.

BuskerFest in Toronto

Aerial performers on Yonge Street

A busker displaying her skills with a hula hoop on fire ...

Summer in Toronto is a continuous celebration on the streets with all kinds of festivals every weekend. BuskerFest was one of them, and I was awed by the talents of these performers.

Jann Arden in Toronto during Panamania

Panamania brought a new effervescence to Toronto's night life. Jann Arden, backed by her fantastic band, woos an enthusiastic crowd with her sultry voice and sassy personality.

Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday night, August 11th. 

The Coral Heart at the Toronto Hakka Festival Saturday July 11th, 2015

The Coral Heart will be available at the Toronto Hakka Festival 

For other up to date info on The Coral Heart, please go to its facebook page here

Swans along the Avon River in Stratford, Ontario

It felt like summer in Stratford. With the breeze cooling us off as we sat by the river watching swans fluffing their wings, gliding gracefully along the water. Precious moments shared with good friends.

Only an hour and a half away from Toronto, Stratford is a get-away haven. Not only to catch a play but also to relax in a laid-back atmosphere surrounded by lush greenery and majestic swans preening along the river. 

Spring Blossoms in High Park

High Park was swarming with people snapping up photos of spring blossoms ... It is indeed exhilarating to be out there walking under a canopy of cherry blossoms as the fading sun casts its last rays on the profusion of lacy flowers, and yes, I love that feeling of stepping softly on fallen petals sprinkled on our paths, a sensual delight imbued with poetry.

Magnolia blossoms

Nature lovers under a canopy of cherry blossoms

The Coral Heart at U of T, Toronto Public Library and Beachcomber Magazine

Some updates on The Coral Heart

It is listed on the page "Great books published by the school's instructors & students" on this U of T site

Thanks to Lee Gowan, Director of  Creative Writing at U of T, for his support and for being an inspiring teacher. Thrilled to be in the company of my good friend Terry Fallis, and my wonderful instructors, Michael Winter and Ken Babstock.

The Coral Heart is now available at the Toronto Public Library

Here's an interview about the novel in Beachcomber magazine

Wishing you a happy holiday season and all the best for 2015