A Writer's Way

Welcome to my blog!

Here you'll find personal essays, editorial tips, craft lessons, a bit of travel, books I'm reading, explorations of my own novel-writing process, fun and interesting things I’ve learned, and the occasional recipe (because even writers have to eat). For sure some knitting will happen, and most likely a bit of sewing, too. And you’ll get to meet Samson, my senior editor.

I'm so glad you're here

The long, hard road to becoming a practicing book coach, part 1

Dear Vi, Around this time back in 2021, I completed a year-long training program, passed the three required practicums, and received my certification through Author Accelerator, under the founder, Jennie Nash. Getting my certification was hard. Sure, learning curves are always steep, and the course was (and still is!) comprehensive and very robust. But that’s…

I’m an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach!

Dear Vi, If you’ve visited the website lately, you’ll have noticed a few changes. Well, a lot of changes actually. A new URL, for one. A new business, for another! I started the Covid year by enrolling in the very robust and highly esteemed Author Accelerator book coaching program, and last month I received my…

A Bookcase Quilt for Jade

Dear Vi, I wanted to show you the quilt that I made for the daughter of a very dear friend two years ago. I’d made Jade a baby quilt when she was small, but she was turning 12 in 2018. Not a little girl anymore. It was time to make her a quilt that would…

Quilting during Covid-19

Dear Vi, I wear a lot of hats, as you know, but the one I turn to in times of stress is quilting. I think that’s because quilting is something I can do that doesn’t involve sitting still. I’m a knitter, too, but when I’m feeling anxious, I can’t sit in one place for very…

Six things Mr. Rogers said that help me cope with Covid-19

Dear Vi, Do you remember Mr. Rogers and his neighbourhood? In every episode, he wore a sweater that was knit just for him by his very own mother. I just love that. He once said something very wise that many of us, (especially writers, knitters, and quilters!) know to be true: “Solitude is different from…

The Weather Outside: Frightful and Delightful

Dear Vi, While my friends on the west coast are enjoying a bit of a cool and rainy summer, here in Dawson City, Yukon things have been quite delightful. Well, for the most part, anyway.We did go through a couple of weeks of being choked by smoke from forest fires, but thankfully no longer. Now…

A Stearman Biplane in Dawson City, Yukon

Dear Vi, I believe I have not yet told you what brought Kelly and I to Dawson City last summer…and what brought us back again this year. This is it – a vintage Stearman biplane. She’s a beauty, eh? Kelly was hired to ferry her from Ontario to Dawson last summer. It was a long…

Back in Dawson City

Dear Vi, We’ve been back in Dawson City for just over a week, and I’ll tell ya, it feels good. This morning as I was walking Samson on the trail beside the highway, his inspection of a clump of grass was interrupted by the sound of an ATV approaching from behind. We stepped to the…

Book Review: The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, by Kelly Harms

Dear Vi, Summer reading season is upon us and I am all about the lighthearted, happy books right now. Why? Because lately I’m finding all the unkindness in the world is wearing me down. Angst and anger shouts at me every time I look at social media, and sometimes it’s hard to get it out…

On joining a book club and being surrounded by life experience

Dear Vi, Last October I was invited into a book club by my friend Jean. Call me a nerd, but I have always wanted to be in a book club! It was a little intimidating at first, to tell the truth. I mean, this is a super-educated, well-traveled, well-read, well-spoken circle of impressive critical thinkers…