Last night was the final class for the creative writing course I've been teaching at UBC's Learning Exchange in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. To celebrate, the people running the centre asked if we'd like to put on a literary reading. Normally, I'd never put new writers on the spot like that, asking them to share their work in public before they're really ready, but with the group of participants who came to the class I had this feeling they would be all right. In fact, they were much better than all right -- they were fantastic. The writers who've been with me in class are some of the most open and sharing writers I've ever met, and last night, they all stepped up and did a wonderful job. We had a pretty packed house and each of the class participants got up and read something they've been working on to a fantastic reception. The audience was great and attentive, and very, very supportive -- in fact, one of the best audiences I've ever seen at any literary reading. So, I'd just like to say a quick little Brava! to Pearl and Cherry, and Bravo! to Bernie, James, and Didi. You guys rocked!

I'd also like to publically thank the Learning Exchange. Firstly, for putting on such a well-planned evening (complete with a buffet), and secondly, for giving us the opportunity to run the course in the first place. Thank you.