I recently had the chance to meet up with Kate Vermette in Banff. Her book, The Break has been receiving award nominations and great press, and I am so happy for her. It’s very cool to see how short stories she started so long ago became a novel with a […]
This past year, I have realized just how well a person can get to know the things that are important to a writer from what they write. I’ve discussed these deep connections and obsessions with many authors, including Peter Oliva, Lawrence Hill, Alissa York. In a way, people seeing […]
Four days later, and I still can’t put into words what going to Sage Hill this year meant to me. Conferences and retreats and residencies have always been a little bit magical for me, for the most part because of the people I meet. I have done enough of […]
It’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog. Things have been busy with a new house, and a new life. For the first time since moving to Calgary, I’ve felt at home in a community. Everything that surrounds me is different and new; it has profoundly affected not just […]
Funny how quickly you realize a house isn’t what makes a home. I don’t miss my old house. (I do still miss the floor – probably always will.) What I do miss already, though, are my old running routes. Before I even moved into the area, I drove over and […]
Well, that’s that. The answer I’ve been looking for – what it means to be Gomeshied. I understand the legalities of the thing. I understand innocent until proven etc. etc. That’s not what this is about. Gomeshied means status quo. Gomeshied means sit down and be quiet. It means someone […]
So – yesterday’s post caused a bit of concern amongst my friends and family. Don’t be. Please. The time time for concern was when I was in, as Anne of Green Gables would say, “The Depths of Despair.” And we all know what Marilla said about that. (If you don’t […]
I have written and rewritten this post so many times – that’s why such a long delay. I start with the intention of not allowing the hurt I’ve felt drive my words, but it’s clear that it still does. I fear if I don’t write them, they will clog my […]
Beware: Herein lies a clumsy comparison between gardening and teaching. To write about these past two years is supposed to be freeing and healing. And it is. To go unheard for that long left a lot of unsaid words stuck in my throat. It’s been a difficult thing to talk about, […]
Lately I’ve found there are events and words that I can’t seem to shake. And they must be shaken so I can write fiction and non-fiction that will amplify my voice in a positive way. This post is about being told I should “quit teaching.” One thing I’ve learned since I […]
