Meet Sarah Lolley, CBC/QWF's 2017 writer-in-residence

CBC Montreal is proud to announce writer SarahLolleywill be the 2017 CBC/QWF writer-in-residence.

The medical writer turned-essayist-and travelbloggerdraws her inspiration from all things Montreal: our language foibles, drawn out winters, our bars and museums and more hidden gems.

Her short story3:28 p.m. on a Saturday at the Bar on the Corner, set in a neighbourhood on the PlateauMont-Royal, was short-listed for the CBC Literary Awards in 2010.

The 40-year-old mother of twois also the author of ayoga-themedchildren's picture book,Emily and the Mighty Om, published by Simply Read Books in 2014.

Lolley also has a quirky passion for cryptic crosswords. On her website, she blogs about how solving cryptic puzzles inspires her to see the world differently.

Why a writer-in-residence?

"The CBC/QWF writing residency is a great opportunity for local writers to increase their profile in the community," said Quebec Writers' Federation executive director Lori Schubert.

"It's also a terrific way to remind the English-language community of Quebec that they have talented, imaginative and thoughtful writers among them, observing and interpreting their culture."

'Turbocharged with ideas'

Lolleyhashad a long relationship with the Quebec Writers' Federation, crediting the QWFwith "opening up a whole community of creative writing" to her not long after she moved to this city from Ontario.Lolleyhas taught QWF workshops in personal essay writing since 2013.

"She's turbocharged with ideas and passion, has a lively and engaging writing styleand is a consummate professional," said Schubert."I'm excited to see what she produces during her five-month tenure."

As part of the writer-in-residence project,Lolleywill write a series of five non-fictionblogposts on themes that explore her relationship withMontreal. They will be published on the CBC Montrealwebsitefrom January to April 2017.

Have fun, advises MoniquePolak

In 2016, our first writer-in-residence children's book author and journalistMoniquePolak was asked to focuson storytelling, delighting readers with her tale of her ownmonkey-man charm, of pretending to be aprincessat summer campand offalling in love in your 50s, 60s and 90s!

• Monique Polak talks about inspiration for new role as CBC/QWF writer-in-Residence

Asked what her advice would be for the next writer-in-residence,Polakhad this list:

1. Do your own thing with the column. You don't need my advice!
2. But if youdidwant my advice, find us the stories we don't usually get to hear.
3. Most important, have fun.

Champagne worthy?

There's little doubt Lolleywill have fun.

Her stories and essays reveal a playful, joyous approach to life.

In her essayPop Life, published in ELLE Canada, she writes about waiting for the ideal moment to open a $75 bottle ofMot & Chandonin her fridge. Alas, visiting cousins who borrow her Montreal apartment one weekend make short work of it.

But she replaces the bottle, brings it to a friend's for a night of trashy TV watching, pops the cork and offers this toast: "To being worthy of champagne."

We hope being chosen 2017CBC/QWF writer-in-residence ischampagne-worthy, Sarah Lolley.