Wee’git the transforming raven is our Trickster. Two things inspired me–first, my dad telling a Wee’git story to his grandkids and them not getting the humour. Son of a Trickster is a coming of age story set in a northern, company town with shape-shifting Tricksters and pot cookies. It means the world to me to be recognized for my literary contributions.Ĭan you tell us about your latest novel – Son of a Trickster – and what inspired the story? Thank you, to the person who nominated me and to the jury who selected me. The honorary degree was a delightful surprise. What does receiving an honorary doctoral degree mean to you? I realize others have not had the same experience and I’m grateful there are so many unsung heroes fighting to put safeguards up around our emerging writers. I was fortunate enough to have mentors that guided me and nurtured me. I found it inspiring, even as I found the learning curve daunting.

Mostly I enjoyed the company of people focused on the same goal as me. What did you enjoy most about being in the UBC Creative writing program? Yes, yes, I know I said I wanted to go to that movie and we bought tickets, but I just realized how to show my narrator’s blindspot to the reader without the narrator realizing it! Must write! Now! It’s challenging to maintain relationships with non-writers because the urge to write can be overwhelming and inexplicable. I’m obsessed with it and have a hard time grounding myself in the present. That said, whatever I’m working on is always on in the background. I like the flexibility of the writing life–I don’t need to take time off to go to the dentist or doctor. What do you enjoy most about being a writer, and what do you find challenging? It took a long time to believe I had anything to say.

My biggest challenge was my own insecurity.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer? What challenges did you face in launching your writing career? Her most recent novel, Son of a Trickster, was shortlisted for the 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize. A graduate of UBC’s master’s program in Creative Writing, she has received numerous awards, including the 2016 Writers’ Trust Engel/Findley Award. Eden Robinson, an internationally acclaimed Haisla and Heiltsuk novelist and short story writer, is the recipient of a 2018 honorary doctoral degree from UBC for her literary contributions.

Trickster series eden robinson