Landscapes and cityscapes...... are often the starting place for my writing. There's something about the unique quality of a place - the spare, delicate balance of the natural botany in the dry Interior; the history that resonates in fossils on an ancient beach; the juxtaposition of an old windmill with a new wind turbine on a Baltic island; the ambience of a late afternoon in a rainy city - that I feel compelled to capture in words.
I was born in Vancouve, and have lived most of my life in British Columbia, both in the Interior and on Vancouver Island, and have explored these regions in my poetry and fiction. The intersection of the history, industry, food and natural features of any place interests me as a unique situation to observe and respond to. Who are the people who live here? How does this place shape them? I've also recently traveled to and spent time in Denmark, Sweden, London, Cornwall, the Pfalz in Germany, Vienna, and the Austrian Tyrol. I'm always trying to capture the sense of place for a story. How can I use my observation of detail and language to convey a specific place? I've been writing fiction and poetry since I learned the alphabet, and, of course, read constantly, always with a curiosity as to how it is done. Professionally, I have a Master's degree in English from the University of Victoria, and taught English literature, composition, and creative writing for thirty years at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. Three of my novels, a book of short stories, and a collection of poetry have found publication, and many of my poems and short stories have won prizes or recognitions. I've recently retired from my position of Associate Professor at TRU, and am available for writing workshops, one-to-one manuscript development and editing of work. Please use the contact page to find out more about my teaching and editing services. |