Roy MacGregor believes writing can change the world for the better
Ryan B. Patrick | CBC | Posted: December 5, 2017 2:35 PM | Last Updated: January 9, 2018
Roy MacGregor is a Canadian author of fiction and non-fiction. He was named an officer in the Order of Canada in 2005.
His latest book, Original Highways, documented his travels down 16 of Canada's great rivers, documenting stories of spirit, identity and economy along natural flowing freshwater.
MacGregor takes on the CBC Books Magic 8 Q&A and answers eight questions from eight of his fellow authors.
1. Peter Robinson asks, "What are your favourite and least favourite parts of the writing process?"
The best part of writing is an early morning start with the promise of a lovely afternoon in which not to be writing. The least favourite is opening a file from your editor that is splashed pink with "track changes," squinting to read a long, long argument and knowing, instantly, that the editor is right and it's re-write time.
2. Rudy Wiebe asks, "Who helped you most in becoming a writer? How?"
I failed Grade 12 so badly that they wanted to kick me out of school. The English teacher, Clyde Armstrong, went to bat for me (the one course I passed, with a 53) and not only got me back in but informed me we were going to start up a school magazine — and I would be its first editor.
3. William Deverell asks, "Claims of suffering writer's block are just excuses for laziness. Agree or disagree?"
Absolutely. Working as a sportswriter taught me to meet deadlines, to work even when you don't feel like it and turn in something that might not be art but is both good enough and done.
4. Pasha Malla asks, "Who is one writer, living or dead, who you wish could edit or critique your drafts?"
Margaret Laurence, because she knew that the story is the main character, not the writer.
5. Eric McCormack asks, "Honestly, what does your writing tell you — both the good and the bad — about yourself?"
First, how very little I know, though I have mastered the journalist's trick of faking it. Second, that I have a strong work ethic and can finish.
6. Shani Mootoo asks, "Is the writing life a selfish indulgence, a narcissistic quest, or a plain crazy way to try and make a living?"
I make a good living as a writer, largely through journalism, and do not feel it is any of these things. Perhaps naively, I choose to believe that writing can change the world for the better, even if only in small, small doses.
7. Shauna Singh Baldwin asks, "What did you learn from writing one book that you have used/can use/will use when writing the next?"
I recently published a book called Canoe Country, in which I argued "no canoe, no Canada." I would still make that argument, but you can also say "no rivers, no canoe." So my next book was on the rivers of Canada.
8. Alexi Zentner asks, "What's your worst writing habit?"
Wandering onto the Internet or email and not getting back to the task at hand.