Artist’s Statement

I want people to love poetry. I try to work in a genre of accessibility to enable this.

When I write of runny nosed/ fiercely wide eyed children, or sensuous bodies gyrating/softly coming/soft eyes loving, I want readers to be there, to understand.

If I talk of purple horses dancing across a field of turquoise clover I hope listeners can see all of that.

To make that understanding happen is magical and is the impetus for my work.

Brief Summary of Career Highlights

I have been telling tales since I was quite small. At fourteen I wrote for Tiny Tots a national children’s magazine in England.

My first and foremost love is poetry. I have had poetry and articles published in various magazines and periodicals in Canada and in anthologies and collections in Canada and the U.S.

My poem, titled “What is it About September” was accepted for A Time of Trial : Beyond the Terror of 9/11 edited by Katherine L Gordon published by Hidden Brook Press. A book of poetry dealing with the September 11 disaster. All profits from which go to the Red Cross.

In May 2001 I achieved a lifelong ambition and published a book of poems, Lilacs Year to Year, TWiG Publications, ISBN 0-9684231-7-5.

A second book, Seachange Cottage, Moonshell Publishing, ISBN 0-9736486-0-0 came out in April 2005.

Melanie, A Love Story, Moonshell Publishing, ISBN 978-0-9736486-1-4 was published in 2007

I have a poem in an anthology of poetry Kaleidoscope by Dorothy Griffin-Farish published in summer of 2003

Poetry in Tide Lines edited by Lee Fleming, published by gynergy books, Charlottetown

Short story in Our Lives, edited by Frances Rooney, Second Story Press, Toronto.

Short story in By Word of Mouth edited by Lee Fleming, gynergy books.

A poem in Island Moments edited by Olivera Andric, The Poetry Institute of Canada

Poems in TWiG Branches Out, edited by TWiG Publications

Short stories and articles in magazines and newspapers.

Third place for poetry in Island Literary Awards 2000

Second place award in Island Literary Awards 2004 for Feature Article

Silver medal for poetry in 55+ 2004 Games

Honourable Mention in Canadian Short Story Competition 2005

Honourable Mention in 2005 Ode to Charlottetown Competition.

Prize in Island Literary Competition 2006.

Prize in Canadian Short Story Competition 2006.

Prize in Island Literary Competition for Short Story 2008.

I enjoy drawing and at the risk of becoming a one-woman band I like to illustrate my writings.

Reading my work is a great joy and I did several readings across Canada, readings in Kamloops BC, Calgary AB, Dawson City, Yukon Territory as well as Prince Edward Island. I also thoroughly enjoyed a workshop I gave to a group of students at an alternative school in British Columbia.

WRITING RULES!

Other Interests:

Other interests include painting, Art Cards, and very recently gardening. Reading is something I think of as part of my life, like breathing. Crosswords are big for me at the moment, and I am interested in the etymology of words. I love to travel and my dream is to go back to England for three months in the winter of every year and re-check Europe. 

Last date modified: September 27, 2008

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