http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX0YqggYZY4 My new favourite book!

Last week, I finished up a new book. It took me about 11.5 months from conception to a nice, clean draft to give to my agent. All day yesterday, I kept trying to think of some sort of celebration that an accomplishment like that calls for and what I came up with is...

Sometime last year, an editor tweeted about an episode of This American Life. It was about middle school. I listened to the show and was immediately hooked on the program. I eagerly await the podcast each week, and consider it one of the highlights of my listening...

It's my first attempt at a lattice topped pie. Not bad, thanks to Youtube! It's a cherry rhubarb pie, super easy, super yummy and sugar-free! I used the honey version of this recipe. The crust is vegan, made with my own recipe and easy to work with, plus light and...

I loved camp as a kid. Frankly, I'd still go if they let me. By the time I was in high school, I was volunteering to wash dishes for two weeks each summer so I could earn a free week, and then my parents paid for a week, so I got to spend 28 blissful (often wet) days...

I love a good series. Who doesn’t, really? Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace, Harry Potter, Ally Carter’s novels, Louise Rennison’s hilarious Georgia Nicolson’s books…. And I have always been intrigued by how a series is put together. Much has been made of J.K. Rowling...

Those of you who know me, or follow this blog, know that one of my best friends, Kelly, died last August. Today, she would've been twenty-three, and while she's always on my mind, on her birthday, she is with me stronger than ever. Without sharing too much personal...

Five years ago today, I packed up the rental car and drove from my parents' house in Portland, OR to the Canadian border. When I got to the crossing, I went inside the little building and said, "I'm here to land." Half an hour later, the border guard said, "Welcome to...

Tonight, the last show will be played at The Roxy Theatre. To the world, it's just a small, fifty-seat theatre, on a tiny island, in the middle of nowhere, but for islanders, it has been a hub of music, laughter, film, family, culture, live talks, performance art,...

I don't put all my friends' birthdays on my blog, but my critique group members get special shouts out on their birthdays because without them, I'd be lost - both in writing, and in friendship - they are stars! And today is Alexa's birthday. She has an excellent blog...

You have to write and create like it doesn't matter. - Mark Pett, cartoonist From Sara Zarr's podcast - This Creative Life

I'm very honoured to be over on Nova Ren Suma's blog today, guest posting for her Turning Points series. Find out what a major turning point was in my writing career, and also enter to win a signed copy of The Right & the Real.

I'm not sure if I can announce why I'll be coming down to Portland in October yet, so let's just say I'll be there. News will be forthcoming, shortly, I think. It has to do with The Right & the Real. By the way, I see that Powell's now has it in all their stores,...

I wanted to share a link with yout to a wonderful review for The Right & the Real which aired this week on the CBC radio show, All Points West. Check it out here.

  Check out my new book boots! Whenever I sell a book, or launch a book, or really, any chance I can, I get new boots. These are especially cool because they're only new to me (trying not to buy any new leather these days). I got them on ebay for a great price...

Powell's Books, 5 May 2012 - the photographer wishes me to mention that "the light was horrible" and these are "unedited snapshots" and he shall "remain nameless" The people in the photos are the back of my head and my friend, Patty. Bill (BCMystery) Cameron, and me...

I will be posting some of my husband's fabulous shots of the book events after I do the last one tomorrow (Saturday, 12 May, Theatre Centre, 2pm), but for now, I thought I'd share a couple of links from my trip to Portland. I visited a mother/daughter book club in...