Jean Rafferty: The Dark Side of Reality, Scottish Writers CCA 5 December, 2017
Tuesday 5, December 2017: CCA: Club Room at 7:00pm
CCA: Centre for Contemporary Arts
350 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow, G2 3JD
‘The Dark Side of Reality’ with Jean Rafferty
The true artist is interested in the art object as an art process, the thing in being, the being of the thing, the struggle, the excitement, the energy, that have found expression in a particular way. The true artist is after the problem. The false artist wants it solved (by somebody else.)
–Jeanette Winterson
Jean Rafferty’s first two works of fiction were both nominated for literary prizes. Myra, Beyond Saddleworth, a fiction based around Myra Hindley, was shortlisted for the inaugural Gordon Burn award, while The Four Marys, her collection of four novellas, was longlisted in the 2015 Jerwood Fiction Uncovered awards.
Rafferty’s previous incarnation as an award-winning journalist led her into uncomfortable territory – prostitution, suicide, and torture were just a few of her subjects. She has been at the end of the world with a cult in Ukraine and at what felt like it in Goma, when a million refugees from the Rwandan genocide of 1993 ended up in camps there.
Her fiction continues to explore the dark side of reality – The Four Marys features shape-shifting, baby-snatching, infanticide and a hanging, while the choice of Myra Hindley as a topic for fiction brought opprobrium down on her.
This type of subject matter poses particular problems for the writer. Does a sensational subject require sensational treatment? Just because a thing is real does it feel true in a work of fiction? Through readings from her work and discussion, Rafferty will explore the process of using real life in fiction. For more information: www.jeanrafferty.com
Admission £6/£3 (Concession). FREE to SWC Members
This section: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
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Written by : Pat Byrne
Publisher of Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End; the community guide to the West End of Glasgow. Fiction and non-fiction writer.
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Hello.
I’m looking for a writer for a very “dark side” personal experience to life via the dark aspects of the work as in the seedy style
A reformed yet still capable adult
That is honest and open
Are you interested in taking on a project based in Scotland Perth?