About Me
I have always loved to write. As a young child I used a fat pencil to print laboriously on scraps of paper, stapling the pages together into “my books”. In Elementary School I wrote cheery poems in rhyming couplets. My prose, whether fiction or non, often featured horses. In High School I continued writing prose and poetry, most often of the dark and moody genre.
I recently saw an ad in a glossy magazine. I don’t remember what it was advertising, perfume perhaps, or designer handbags, but the wording resonated: “Decide now. Is your life going to be poetry or prose?” I would never be able to choose. I want it all. I continue to write both prose and poetry, and am thrilled to have my poetry published in three anthologies, with a fourth coming out in May of 2023.
Writing is the truest way for me to express my feelings, clarify my thoughts and bring me back to a place of balance. I am by nature “a is for analytical”, and writing serves to help create order in my world. Writing is also fun (much of the time), which is a major bonus. I write for children (the most fun!) and I write for adults (often fun...define fun!) Of course writing can also be challenging, frustrating, mind-boggling…the list goes on. But for me, it is necessary; I have a need to write. And when readers tell me they enjoy my work, I am always thrilled to hear it!!
I grew up in the small community of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island’s west coast. The town was isolated back then, with no road to the outside world. We travelled “away” by float plane or boat. For me, a plane ride often meant airsickness. I preferred the boat trips, although sometimes rough seas made me seasick. (That’s why we used to refer to the MV Uchuck as “the U-up-chuck”). In my earliest years we lived in the logging camp five miles out of Ucluelet, later moving into town to a new home strategically located harbour side. My free time was spent at the beach, or rock scrabbling, or rowing my little boat around the harbour.
I left Ucluelet fresh out of High School, and attended the University of Victoria, graduating with an English degree, a husband, and my dream job in a library. What a package deal! After some years of city living, I happily returned to Ucluelet with my city boy in tow.
I’m blessed to live on the harbour, a few blocks from my childhood home. These days I paddle my kayak rather than rowing the little wooden boat my dad built, just for me, so long ago. Settled on the west coast with my husband of 50 years, I’m a proud mother and grandmother, living the good life in my favourite place in the world. I continue to be inspired by the natural beauty surrounding us here on the west coast. Much of what I write comes from love of place. There’s nowhere I would rather be.
I have always loved to write. As a young child I used a fat pencil to print laboriously on scraps of paper, stapling the pages together into “my books”. In Elementary School I wrote cheery poems in rhyming couplets. My prose, whether fiction or non, often featured horses. In High School I continued writing prose and poetry, most often of the dark and moody genre.
I recently saw an ad in a glossy magazine. I don’t remember what it was advertising, perfume perhaps, or designer handbags, but the wording resonated: “Decide now. Is your life going to be poetry or prose?” I would never be able to choose. I want it all. I continue to write both prose and poetry, and am thrilled to have my poetry published in three anthologies, with a fourth coming out in May of 2023.
Writing is the truest way for me to express my feelings, clarify my thoughts and bring me back to a place of balance. I am by nature “a is for analytical”, and writing serves to help create order in my world. Writing is also fun (much of the time), which is a major bonus. I write for children (the most fun!) and I write for adults (often fun...define fun!) Of course writing can also be challenging, frustrating, mind-boggling…the list goes on. But for me, it is necessary; I have a need to write. And when readers tell me they enjoy my work, I am always thrilled to hear it!!
I grew up in the small community of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island’s west coast. The town was isolated back then, with no road to the outside world. We travelled “away” by float plane or boat. For me, a plane ride often meant airsickness. I preferred the boat trips, although sometimes rough seas made me seasick. (That’s why we used to refer to the MV Uchuck as “the U-up-chuck”). In my earliest years we lived in the logging camp five miles out of Ucluelet, later moving into town to a new home strategically located harbour side. My free time was spent at the beach, or rock scrabbling, or rowing my little boat around the harbour.
I left Ucluelet fresh out of High School, and attended the University of Victoria, graduating with an English degree, a husband, and my dream job in a library. What a package deal! After some years of city living, I happily returned to Ucluelet with my city boy in tow.
I’m blessed to live on the harbour, a few blocks from my childhood home. These days I paddle my kayak rather than rowing the little wooden boat my dad built, just for me, so long ago. Settled on the west coast with my husband of 50 years, I’m a proud mother and grandmother, living the good life in my favourite place in the world. I continue to be inspired by the natural beauty surrounding us here on the west coast. Much of what I write comes from love of place. There’s nowhere I would rather be.
It brings back good memories, when the Uchuck III, once our only link to
the "outside world", returns for a rare visit to Ucluelet harbour.
the "outside world", returns for a rare visit to Ucluelet harbour.
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Two redheads, my dog Belle and I, hanging out at Amphitrite Lighthouse, circa 1971. |
To misquote the old song, "I was so much younger then, I'm older than that now!" |
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My dream home.
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Favourite treasures from the sea.....all the way from Japan.
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