As mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been invited to teach a course in writing YA Fiction through Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge. And last month, at the January CANSCAIP meeting, I heard a panel of absolutely fabulous writing instructors
FollowWhat Do You See?
Recently, armed with a discount coupon, I went shopping for jeans. I like to rotate them. When my “good” jeans start to look worn and grungy, when I’ve walked on the hem for too long and it’s frayed, they get
Brown Paper Packages, Tied Up With String
It’s always exciting when a new book arrives by mail. It’s even more exciting when that book is authored by a friend and writing colleague, and when you’ve been looking forward to reading it since before it was even finished!
Happy New Year! And upcoming workshop at Blue Heron
Happy new year, everyone! I’m embarrassed to say, I didn’t make it to midnight on the last night of 2013. Not even close. We’d hosted a three-kid sleepover (kind of like a three-car pileup, only noisier) the night before, and
Not Shaky At All
There’s a production of Fiddler on the Roof on at St. Mark’s United Church in Whitby — my church. My daughter is in the show, which means I’ve seen a whole lot of Fiddler rehearsals over the past few months!
Getting my Watch Stolen
For some time now, I’ve been working on a book about a teenaged magician. Magician as in sleight-of-hand, not as in Harry Potter. It’s slated for publication sometime in 2014, as part of Orca’s new performing arts-based series, Limelights. And
Crossing Water
I love Writer Unboxed. I do. It’s one of my favourite writing blogs. Today’s article, though, has me a bit riled. It’s called “Why the Hero’s Journey is a Tourist Trap.” As it happens, I spent last weekend at a
Weekend in Niagara
Last weekend I met rock stars! Well, they are to me. YA Authors Ellen Hopkins and Sara Zarr. Middle-grade author Kimberly Griffiths Little. Susan Rich, the editor behind the Lemony Snicket books (yes, she knows the actual, real Lemony Snicket).
Raccoons! And Other Animal Adventures
We had an interesting morning. A squirrel recently moved into our house, between the first floor ceiling and the second floor floorboards. We didn’t know what it was, of course, only that my husband, Aaron, was hearing loud, scrabbling footsteps
St. Thomas
Guess where I was earlier this month! You’re jealous, aren’t you? I don’t blame you. I’ve been feeling jealous of trip-Erin, too, this past week while it’s been blustery and damp and cold. Shovelling heavy, wet snow. Driving my daughter