Lauren Turner is a Montreal-based writer from Ottawa, whose debut poetry collection, “The Only Card in a Deck of Knives,” was published by Hamilton’s Wolsak & Wynn this year. This is Turner’s only connection to our Ambitious City, but it demonstrates a concept I’ve found fascinating since taking up residence here: the exchange of creative energy between arts hubs.

What makes us “of” a certain place? I wasn’t born in Hamilton, but I consider myself a Hamilton writer. I also consider myself a GTA writer, and a Canadian writer. The city of Oakville has claim to me, since that’s where my publisher is located. I have a strong affinity for my Dutch heritage, so I would consider myself a Canadian writer of Dutch descent. I could go on, but I have a word limit.