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| Welland author, Kees Kapteyn finds inspiration for his writing in the "rich landscape" of Niagara |
“We have such a beautiful, rich landscape here; it deserves to be written about and displayed as a muse,” says Welland author, Kees Kapetyn.
Kapetyn is one of the featured artists participating in the Niagara Literary Arts Festival this June. It is a month long celebration of the written word being put on by the Grey Borders Reading Series.
“There will be two events in Welland at Sami’s Restaurant on East Main Street on June 3rd and 7th, but there will be events happening all over Niagara every single day in the month of June,” he says.
Kapetyn will be reading a piece of short fiction and some of his poetry at both Welland events and hopes residents will take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the festival.
“I would hate to see my city miss out on something so cool,” he says.
This is Kapetyn’s first official reading and he is “ a little nervous” but mostly excited.
“I’m excited because I will be getting my works out in the public and getting exposure for my art. I just hope that people get the message that I put into my work and will be left with the impression of that message,” he says. “It’s very important to me because the pieces I’m reading are very personal and cathartic. (They are) drawn from my life.”
Kapetyn knew he wanted to be a writer at a young age.
“I caught the (writing) bug when I was 14 years old, suddenly finding huge solace from sitting at my desk in my bedroom writing down my thoughts. I was always really articulate as a kid. One class mate in grade 7 even used me as a definition for the word ‘profound.’”
Kapetyn says he finds inspiration in even the simplest things.
“I could be inspired by something that has happened to me or someone else or someone could say something that I find incredibly cool and makes me want to expand on in a poem or story. There are things out there that resonate to me: situations, stories, philosophies and these are the impetus to most everything I write.”
He says ideas often come out of the blue and he has to rush to jot down a few lines.
“One quirk I have is that I come up with great lines and ideas at the most inopportune times, like when I'm in the middle of work or while I'm driving in my car. I will often sneak off and write things down, looking like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, but actually trying to muscle a line into fruition.”
Kapetyn says his “most exciting times as an author are always when (he is) in a room full of other writers.”
He says he loves the sense of humour writers have and the great philosophical discussions he has had with them.
“They’re my kindred,” he says. “I recently had the great pleasure of meeting sound poet Bill Bissett, who is probably the nicest, most personable person on the planet. After talking with him I felt this sense of euphoria, and I knew I would have to meet more people like him in life.”
Kapetyn hopes residents embrace the many literary events in the region this month.
“This event is hugely important for the Niagara area because it is a chance to bring the literary arts to the fore in Niagara. There are some great poets and writers from this area such as Gregory Betts and John Barta, not to mention nationally recognized authors like Richard B. Wright.”
Kapetyn will be reading at Sami’s at 87 Main Street on June 3, along with Rob Mclennan, Monty Reid and James Takeo. He will be at Sami’s on June 7th reading alongside Catherine Owen, Gary Barwin and Greory Betts.
For a full list of events taking place search for “Niagara Literary Arts Festival” on face book.Niagara Literary Arts Festival Link
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