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The Spirituality of Imperfection
I’m re-reading a great book right now, called THE SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION. Sounds tailor-made for me, doesn’t it? I know, I know. This books speaks to me on several levels — as a person staying sober one day at a time, as a writer, and as someone seeking a closer relationship with the Sacred. In…
Read MoreChief Theresa Spence — A Moral Hero
I have been wondering, over the past days, how to tackle the subject of Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike, the “Idle No More” movement, and the treatment of First Nations people by the Canadian government. My disappointment in Prime Minister Harper and his government grows with every hour. I am a Canadian with English, Irish…
Read MoreA Prayer for the Children
The season of Christmas turns to the season of grief. Twenty-seven people have apparently died in a shooting at a Connecticut school this morning. Eighteen of them are children. There will be, no doubt, much talk over the coming days and weeks about gun violence in America. There will be strident voices on both sides. …
Read MoreArtworks Trenton and a Little Synchronicity
Last Friday I posted a notice up on Freecycle.org letting people know I had a mountain of firewood (thanks, Hurricane Sandy) to give away. One of the people who showed up was James Peeples. James is the Chairman of Artworks Trenton. Their mission statement says the organization, “Promotes artistic diversity by fostering creativity, learning, and…
Read MoreTHE EMPTY ROOM has a cover!
Hi everyone, There are few more exciting moments for a writer than the one when the cover of a new book is revealed. So, I’m delighted to share with you the cover for my next novel, THE EMPTY ROOM, which will be out in Canada with Harper Collins, May 2013. I must say, I quite…
Read MoreOf Prizes and Eagles and Seals
Okay, so let’s talk about that big old heffalumping elephant sitting across the desk from me. OUR DAILY BREAD did not make it onto the short list of the Scotiabank Giller Prize. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. On the other hand, I’m not really that disappointed. To feel more than a…
Read MoreThank you, Nova Scotia!
I just got back from a wonderful six days in Nova Scotia, where I was part of the “Word on the Street” festivities. What a great place. I’ve always loved Nova Scotia, and don’t get to visit often enough (although I’m happy to report I’ll be back there in the spring, promoting the new book,…
Read More"If You Find Reading Boring, You're Not Doing It Right."
I have been reading seriously for a long time. And I can’t imagine a life without books. As someone wise once said, “If you find reading boring, you’re not doing it right.” Which begs the question, what does it mean to “do it right?” I think the first thing a reader must do is to…
Read MoreThe Woman in the Work in Progress
Some time ago, I found this photo on the web and for the life of me, I can’t remember where, or who the woman is, or who took the photo, so if you happen to know, please tell me. Her face was exactly the face I’ve been looking for, as was the attitude she has…
Read MoreJournals & A Writing Exercise
I have a lovely writing journal. It’s leather bound and has my name embossed in gold on the front. I resisted such a journal for a long time, preferring to write in little throw-away notebooks. However, the reason I love this one is that the pages themselves are refillable, so I can write as much…
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