• Share this:

Get to know the author behind the charming Bare Bear Bones—Michael Grant!

Describe yourself in one sentence.
Always busy and active but often tired.

Tell us a little bit about your new book.
I wanted to work on another project but instead my wife Sherry and I spent some time trying to think of the biggest fish out of water story we could imagine. We came up with Archie and Edith Bunker types trapped in a nudist colony. Several community theatres have produced it and at one point someone cut an actual tent trailer in half to use as part of the set. That half trailer has been passed from production to production numerous times. Let me know if you want it. I seem to have become its manager. I also have a fake AGA cooker I manage from my first play, Hamish. Great rates.

What’s something unique about you or something you like to do?
Since the pandemic, I’ve taken up woodworking. Our house isn’t big and we don’t have a garage so when the weather turned cold I got one of those storage tents and put a heater and light in it. The amazing thing is, I haven’t hurt myself yet.

What is something that you enjoy doing, and why?
We love camping. Either with friends or just the family at provincial parks. Inverhuron by Kincardine is the family’s favorite. I love the slower pace and just being outside. A chance to recharge.

What are some of your favourite plays?
BANG BANG by Kat Sandler is a newer favorite. I discovered it on the PlayMe Podcast. I’ve been a fan of Norm Foster since I saw The Melville Boys in high school. I enjoyed Drinking Alone and Maggie’s Getting Married enough to direct both. Silver Dagger by David French or really any of his work. I’m a huge fan of most Canadian playwrights. I really mean that. When I direct, I seem to unconsciously choose a Canadian play. I once picked an American play, but I believe the playwright was from Buffalo so he’s almost Canadian, eh?

What are you reading these days?
All Together Now by Alan Doyle. Before that, Killer by Doug Gilmour with Dan Robson (we’re a hockey family). The War of Art by Steven Pressfield really helped me break through some writer’s block working on my latest script.

What’s something that makes you laugh?
Banter. I love a quick wit. So many times with our circle of friends it ends up with everyone having aching sides the next morning from a night of constant laughter. Lately we’ve had to resort to Zoom but the sides still hurt. Also my best friend Norm, our dog. He’s a goofy Mastiff/Boxer with a heart of gold. And before you ask, no, he’s not named after Mr. Foster. Norm the dog was a rescue that came to us already named. He’s also an inspiration. He’s been through a hell none of us could imagine yet has the happiest of demeanour and a wagging tail.

Find out more about Michael Grant:
Michael Grant is an award-winning playwright who began writing out of necessity. He needed a script about maple syrup. Since then he has gone on to write five one-act plays and six full-length plays with more to come. His work has been produced across Canada. His first full length, Hamish, is part of the Grassroots play anthology. His third play, Shorthanded, received the Stage West Comedy Award in 2012. Other titles include Suburban Standoff and Shorthanded: A Ladies Game. He lives in Elmira, Ontario, with his wife Sherry and his three children.