This week Shelagh investigates what jumpstarts a writer's imagination.

Poet Randall Maggs discusses his inspiration for NightWork:The Sawchuk Poems.

Don Cherry reveals his fascination with Bette Davis and Horatio Alger stories.

It seems food influences rapper More Or Les. We play "Brunch" and he talks about his CD The Truth About Rap.

Adam Sol 's collection Jeremiah, Ohio presents elements of the biblical as well as a contemporary Jeremiah.

Social and political issues drive singer/songwriter Kathleen Edwards in her song "Oh Canada" from the CD Asking For Flowers.

And finally our fictional therapist Jo Saul answers a listener's lament for stories to soothe the winter blues.

Jo Saul's List:
Michael Ondaatje's Running In The Family .
Or if you prefer seeing the magic side of an ordinary life take a look at books by poet and author Bronwyn Wallace:
Common Magic, Signs of A Former Tenant, The Stubborn Particulars of Grace and People You Trust Your Life To.
Jo Saul also suggests anything by Alice Munro as well as P.K.Page 's book Hand Luggage : A Memory In Verse.