Feature Friday - Tara McGowan-Ross
Name
Tara McGowan-Ross
Pronouns
She/Her
Bio
Tara McGowan-Ross is an urban L'nu multidisciplinary artist and writer. Her work has been featured in print and online, and anthologized in Best Canadian Poetry and Poesie actuelle de les femmes au Québec 2000-2020. Her memoir Nothing Will Be Different was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize, which is the largest nonfiction award in Canada.
Instagram
@girthgirl
Website
taramcgowanross.substack.com
Books and Husband
Where in Montreal are you located?
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
What do you love about that neighborhood?
Montreal has extremely loud spirits of the land, if you know what I mean. Every neighbourhood has a super strong attitude. I can tell when I've entered Mile End, for example, with my eyes closed, on vibes alone. I love all of the loud spirits in every neighbourhood, but NDG is quiet enough that I can think my own thoughts.
What’s your favourite art space in Montreal and why?
My favourite art space is a highly illegal DIY space run by problematic bohemians. I can't give you any more information or we'll get raided.
Describe your art in your own words.
Emotional terrorism.
What have you been working on recently?
A novel and a ghostwritten memoir.
How would you describe your poetic voice?
A safe space for murder weapons.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Befriending my intrusive thoughts. Interpersonal disappointment. On the street. Physical labour. If I can shut up long enough, eventually a sentence will arrive in my head. I don't know where it comes from.
Describe your writing process.
I draft a lot, but the first bunch of it always just shows up. Again. I don't know where it comes from.
Who are some of your favorite writers?
Louise Glück, Otessa Moshfegh, Julie Mannell, JM Francheteau, Tomson Highway, Tommy Pico, Mordecai Richler, Anne Michaels.
What do you love about Montreal's poetry scene?
I love how diverse, supportive, lead-poisoned and utterly twisted we all are.
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