GUTGAA Meet and Greet!

A Bit About Me:

When it comes to writing, I have a bit of a multiple personality disorder. I love, love, love children’s books, from charming picture books, to quirky and giggle-inducing middle grade novels, to gripping dystopian/post apocalyptic young adult novels. But I love poignant, heart-tugging women’s fiction, laugh-out-loud funny chick-lit, and romantic comedy, too. I also love beautifully wrought literary fiction and captivating historicals. Little wonder I write across so many genres!

My short stories have appeared in literary magazines, both in print and online, several of which are now available for Kindle and Kobo, including my first collection, Learning to Fly. Look for my chick-lit/romantic comedy novelette, How to Cook Up a Disaster—the first in my DIY Dating series—available September 2012.

 

Currently, I'm seeking representation for my homorous middle grade novel, The Rabbit Ate My Homework, and busily writing two more middle grade novels, Evil Teddy Bears Are Plotting to Take Over the World and If Wishes Were Ponies.

When I'm not writing, you might find me refurbishing old furniture rescued from thrift stores and garage sales, puttering in the garden despite the fact neither of my thumbs are the greenest, clipping coupons, carving down the local mountains on my snowboard, or shouting at the TV during Hockey Night in Canada. My favourite season is autumn, I prefer tea to coffee, and wish every morning began at ten a.m.

Born on Vancouver Island, I've had a life-long love affair with its rugged coasts and windswept beaches. Many of my stories are set there. I hope to return to ‘the Island’ one day, but for now, even though I hate the rain, I live just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, with my husband, our two sons, and one very spoiled house rabbit.
 

Questions:

-Where do you write? At my desk (a converted pine armoire) in the nook off my kitchen. Although, at times I've been known to steal the laptop away to my bedroom in the evening for a little peace and quiet time with my characters and storylines.

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see? The back door with a view of my back yard and my very spoiled house rabbit playing in his pen (AKA mowing the lawn).

 

 

Gus in his play pen in the back yard (in case you're wondering about the white sheet: it's a sun shade)

 

-Favorite time to write? When the words are spilling out of my fingers faster than I can type them out. 

 

-Drink of choice while writing? In the morning, I prefer English Breakfast tea. In the evening, I prefer a tasty Crantini.

 

-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence? I prefer silence. That way can I can hear the voices in my head better. But I've learned to write with utter chaos erupting around me. I have kids after all. ;)

 

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it? My middle grade manuscripts were inspired by my kids and my little sister (she's twelve). They really are my best inspiration. (Though Gus may have had some influence on The Rabbit Ate My Homework!)

 

-What's your most valuable writing tip? Join a critique group, either online or in person. Getting and receiving critiques is the quickest way to improve the quality of your writing and prepare you for the realities of publishing.