I am thrilled to announce that one of my works in progress – HURTS – was a finalist for this year’s manuscript contest in the general nonfiction and memoir category. I’m still pinching myself! In fact, it’s been about a month since I heard the news and I think it’s just sunk in. After all,Continue reading “Finalist in Writers’ League of Texas contest!”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Tips on getting back to your writing
Last night I went to Brazos Bookstore here in Houston to hear four local authors chat about how to start or restart a writing project. It’s perfect timing, right? Everyone is burning with inspiration and motivation around New Year’s Day and then come late January we’re all struggling just a little bit (or a lot).Continue reading “Tips on getting back to your writing”
Book review countdown #1: Rebel Women
Over the last couple of years, with a baby and book-in-progress, I found I largely lost the ability to read whole books. Sure, I pillaged for research, I browsed magazines, and I frantically devoured books and blog posts about how to get your baby to sleep/eat/stop crying, but I didn’t just read for pleasure. SoContinue reading “Book review countdown #1: Rebel Women”
New Models of Journalism
Zakiya Kassam (@zakkasam on Twitter) is a 22-year-old graduate of the Ryerson University Journalism Program. Recently, she interviewed me for an article she was writing on new models of Journalism like Beststory.ca and we thought we’d share the Q&A here! Z: Tell me about your own personal story with beststory.ca. How did you hear about it?Continue reading “New Models of Journalism”
Nobody Cries At Bingo: Newest book on my wish list
Last year, fellow Edmonton writer Dawn Dumont was nominated for the Alberta’s Readers Choice Award. Her book, Nobody Cries at Bingo makes fun of her misadventures during her younger years on the Okanese First Nations reserve in Saskatchewan. For a province that has 31 bingo halls, locals can’t seem to get enough of the 75-ballContinue reading “Nobody Cries At Bingo: Newest book on my wish list”
YEG Workshop: Finding the Unique in Your Family Story
Finding the Unique in Your Family Story: a summer-time writing adventure. How do you write a lively and fascinating family memoir? How do you draw and satisfy readers from in and outside the family? What particular issues arise when writing family stories? Both the instructors of this workshop, Caterina Edwards and Jean Crozier, faced Continue reading “YEG Workshop: Finding the Unique in Your Family Story”
War of 1812 Course Being Offered in Calgary
THE WAR OF 1812: The politics, the battles and the people Facilitated by Norman Leach Want to learn more about the War of 1812? Want to know why General Sir Isaac Brock, Laura Secord and Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon were important to all Canadians? Want to know who really burned down the White House? Learn aboutContinue reading “War of 1812 Course Being Offered in Calgary”
2012 Holiday Newsletter
The main news this year was the arrival of Andre Barrett Pagnutti on April 17. We named him for my paternal grandfather, André Chenail, and my maternal grandmother, Shirley Barrett, and tried to encompass his French-Canadian, British, and Italian heritage. We’re also embracing his aviation connections as you can see in this photo! FromContinue reading “2012 Holiday Newsletter”
Happy Holidays!
And now the making of that photo… Getting the antlers on the dog and getting him in position was pretty easy. He takes direction well, especially when there are treats involved. Wrestling the cat into the Santa suit was a different story. And getting him into the “sleigh” was nearly impossible…the dog is gettingContinue reading “Happy Holidays!”
Survival of the “Feetest” in Toronto
On a recent trip to Toronto I was able to get together with a good friend from my undergrad years at McGill University, Katie Reed. We met at her shop, Sole Survivor, in Kensington Market. Katie, who is 28 years old, has owned and operated this cobbling business for two years. As a young woman,Continue reading “Survival of the “Feetest” in Toronto”