I didn't even know the Whistler Independent Book Awards existed until I began writing. If you're curious check out their page here. I am now very familiar with this book award because I am a writer and I have gone the path of partnership publishing. My trusty publisher Heather Nickel of YNWP sent My List,... Continue Reading →
Amor Fati Part Two
Since not everyone was able to be in the room to hear the words of this valedictorian that I posted about here I reached out to someone who knew Ryder and his mom and asked permission to post his speech. Permission was granted. Below is the valedictorian speech given by Ryder Wesson. I posted about... Continue Reading →
Highway Feels
Sunday night I drove back from the lake with my window down. I don't often do this. It's noisy. I can't hear the radio. My hair blows around. It's annoying. But, for whatever reason, as I drove through the quiet village streets of the lake towards the highway I didn't roll up my window---and I... Continue Reading →
Saw Whet Trail
On my journey to find trails near and far I found Saw Whet Trail which is pretty near and pretty lovely. This trail is just outside of the town of Lumsden. It's an easy hike that meanders along the creek bordering farmland. I've been watching the huge old barn slowly lose its fight with gravity... Continue Reading →
What’s On Your List
I was invited to a women-only event as a vendor/woman-owned business. There were ten vendors there. I was the only author. On the table, I had my most recent book, My List, My Rules, and the award-winning young adult Shepherd and Wolfe Mystery series written by my writing partner David Gane and me. The goals... Continue Reading →
Strength in Small Words
I woke up and did the thing I shouldn't do. I went right to my phone to look for something I was hoping for. The thing I wanted didn't happen for me. My immediate thought was 'Maybe next time.' That was a pretty optimistic shift in how I perceived the moment. Huh. My optimism hitched... Continue Reading →
Time Gets Away
This blog post is the precursor to the two very late posts I intended to post on time. But I didn't. I am not saying any of this from a place of complacency. I always intend to write at least one post a week but sometimes life happens. This is not the first time I... Continue Reading →
A Coincidence I Think About
This is a TikTok trend but it got me thinking. In 2012 at the end of the year of completing 101 things and entering the second year of doing 101 things again (yeah I know, I'm nuts) I was still really floundering to find peace and joy. My friend Mandy asked if I would like... Continue Reading →
Gratitude
I'm sitting here with a great sense of gratitude for everything. I realize that it's impossible for me to feel negative emotions and gratitude at the same time. My brain doesn't work that way. I wonder if anyone's brain does? I can't sit waist-deep in the bullshit of my day and simultaneously point to the... Continue Reading →
A Review by Toby A. Welch
Below is a review I received for My List, My Rules: The Year A Checklist Changed My Life. To date, it is my only official review. I don't know who Toby A. Welch is but I am so grateful for these words. I have thought about the publishing world and how challenging it is for... Continue Reading →