Musings :: Moments :: Memories
Five Things I Know: I know how to analyse the writer's use of language and structure. I studied English Literature at GSCE, A-Level, and degree level but it was only when I started teaching English that I think really mastered the art of analysis. I love pulling the words apart and interrogating the text to… Continue reading A Knowing List
One of the things that I put on my 22 in 2022 list was to find a writing accountability partner. This is somebody preferably another writer who will help keep you accountable for your writing goals. As well as supporting and encouraging you with your writing. Ideally, this is a mutually beneficial arrangement where you… Continue reading A Little Promise
The Bloganuary prompt yesterday was to post about what book you will read next. Since I have already written about books I want to read, I thought I would share what book I will buy next, once my book buying moratorium has expired. Laura Tremaine shared this book as her favourite non-fiction book of 2021.… Continue reading A New Book
I spent the weekend in the city of Bath. While my friends took advantage of the Thermae Spa, I decided to explore the city. The timing of this trip with me reading Northanger Abbey for the first time was a happy accident. A large portion of this novel takes place in Bath at the end… Continue reading A Pretty Little City
Five things I would love to do someday: Go dog sledding in Alaska;Experience the Northen Lights;Attend a literary festival;Go on safari;Have a book published.
Five novels I am excited to read in 2022: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John MandelThe Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth by Philip PullmanThe Lost Tide Warriors by Catherine DoyleOlive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
When my kiddos get sad, angry, hurt, or frustrated, the very first thing I tell them to do is to stop and take a breath. Slow and steady. In through the nose then out through the mouth. This calming practice doesn't just work for tearful kiddos. From women in labour to that breath you take… Continue reading A Deep Breath
I have been writing a blog in some form or other since 2005. That's over sixteen years. Thousands of blog posts in, I should be able to call myself a writer without feeling a frisson of embarrassment, and yet despite working on my novel for years, chipping away a few words at a time, and… Continue reading A Writer’s Identity
When we started watching Canadian-made comedy Schitt’s Creek, I was a little unsure. A show about a ridiculously rich and privileged family falling on hard times with the inimitable Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara certainly seemed like it would be a funny show. But inevitably the first season took an episode or two to warm… Continue reading A Good Laugh
For the third year in a row, I met my goal of reading 50 books in a year. These are the five best ones of the year for me: The first book that I want to tell you about is a book called The Storm Keeper’s Island. It is written by Irish writer Catherine Doyle… Continue reading Five Good Books
Notes From My Day 