Before we leap into some of the links on creativity and writing I shared via Twitter and Facebook this week, I have a question for my Canadian readers — are you as enthralled with poutine as I am? I was reminded of this delicacy — french fries topped with brown gravy and cheese curd — in a Twitter conversation this week. Now I’m jonesing to make a run for the northern border and indulge in a Quebec dish nearly as alluring to me as bacon.
CREATIVITY:
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Your blogger in 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, a tummy full of poutine, happy to find yet another retailer of that haute cuisine. “Does Creativity Increase with Age?” Casie Mace, Live in the Now: As someone who turned another year older on Monday, I’d like to think so; here’s some science suggesting it may be true. (Related post: Allowing Ideas to Percolate)
- “Hacking the Creative Process,” Michael McKinney, Leading Blog: Lessons from Todd Henry’s The Accidental Creative. (Related post: 5 Steps to Subconscious-Driven Creativity)
- “My Summer Reading List on Creativity, Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship,” Linda Naiman: Six books make Linda’s list. (Related post: A Writer’s Must-Read List)
WRITING:
- “Why MFA Programs Matter,” Brian Joseph Davis, Huffington Post; and “Why Get an MFA in Writing?” Jenna McGuiggan, The Word Cellar: Both writers recognize that writers don’t HAVE to get an MFA to write, but Brian shows how MFA programs improve our culture and Jenna offers her personal story as a recent graduate of the program I’ve begun, the Vermont College of Fine Arts. (Related post: Sharing Without Fear)
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If you eat too much poutine, you might not be able to handle walking from Quebec City's Basse-Ville (Lower Town) to Haute-Ville (Upper Town). Take the funicular. “Suffering and the Brilliant Author,” Sarah A. Hoyt, According to Hoyt: Bottom line — get over this myth already. On a side note, recently I heard Jeff Bridges tell Stephen Colbert he dealt with having a good life by creating art after giving himself “Indian burns.” (Related post: Never Give Up on Your Dreams)
- “To Plot or Not to Plot,” Terri Giuliano Long, iwritereadrate.com: The age-old question, with answers tied both to the type of book and to the type of writer. (Related post: Flashing Your Readers)
- “There’s Still Time for You,” Jolina Joy, The Happy Book Blog: A sweet post by a talented writer who, like many of us, is pursuing the goal of being a published author. (Related post: Literary Agent = Book Contract?)
Now another question for my dear readers — where the heck does one buy cheese curd?
The Artist's Road 
Thanks for all the links. I’m mulling over a non-residency MFA and appreciate first-hand experiences!
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How great to hear that, good luck! My Sharing Without Fear post was about an MFA residency, but I know that could be the experience of anyone in an MFA program residency or no.
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I’m half french-Canadian, and grew up in ‘la belle province’, so I know about poutine! The best in the world (ok, biased opinion lol) can be found at a small chip stand/restaurant in Plaisance – a small Quebec village just an hour’s drive from us. Of course, you can always return to Montreal too 🙂
Rumour has it you can get cheese curds at the Courthouse Farmer’s Market (Courthouse, Arlington, VA) on Saturday mornings.
Good luck getting your ‘fix’ soon, Patrick 🙂
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Ah yes, I’ve heard the best poutine is found in small stands away from the big cities, never had the chance to discover one. Maybe I’ll cross the border from VT and go exploring the next time I’m up there for an MFA residency.
Oh my, I live about two miles away from Courthouse! I may be on an adventure tomorrow morning… thanks for the tip!
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Did you know that The Skinny Pancake in Montpelier serves poutine? It’s the only place I’ve ever had it, so I have no idea if it’s considered good or not. All I know is that I considered it yummy! Check it out at the next residency and let me know how it stacks up. (And thank for the link love, by the way!)
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Fantastic! I made it to Charley O’s and that diner with the good pie but not there, I’ll try it at winter residency. Poutine hits the spot on a cold day.
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Okay, poutine is one of the few things that can get me to poke my head up from a vacation.
It’s a heart attack on a plate to be sure, but it’s also the ultimate comfort food.
And real cheese curds are a must. None of that mozzarella nonsense.
Brilliant reading list, Patrick.
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Thank you, Stacey. Agree on the cheese cues as a must. Someone told me of seeing it in Seattle with cheddar. I gather from my friends from Philadelphia that’s like asking for swiss cheese on a Philly cheese steak.
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