I hired a sensitivity reader to edit my manuscript, and I’m grateful for their suggestions.I was prepared for a harsh critique after reading an article from another author who said sensitivity readers “corrupt literature” and they “sullied” her memoir to “suit their agenda.” My editor had also warned me to brace myself, that their words …
From Manuscript to Market
"If your book is with your editor now, does that mean we’ll see it on shelves soon?" I’ve been asked a variation of this question a few times lately. Alas, that day is still many months away. In my experience, it can take 12-24 months (or longer) from when a manuscript is finished to seeing …
Ten Conversation Starters About Culture
I was chatting with friends recently about PDA (Physical Displays of Affection) and how it varies across cultures. It reminded us of several other fun little examples of the ways culture shows up in everyday interactions. Talking about these differences draws attention to the assumptions we make about our own culture and what we think is "normal." You …
New Year, new habits?
January brings to mind resolutions, goals, and dreams for the future. For hosts, it's a time to think about the impact we have on our student’s habits as well as our own. I interviewed Deirdre in late 2019. Over the years, she has observed that the hardest habit for her students to break seems to be the …
Not Done Yet
When I finished my first draft, I knew I had reason to celebrate. But I'm nowhere near done yet... As a new author, one of the first pieces of writing advice I heard was to "kill your darlings." As harsh as it sounds, the meaning is clear: delete your most precious passages for the greater good of your work. …
An Artist’s Heart
A boy and his uncle. My son and my brother. It’s Christmas 2015 and they are drawing together, my grandmother's antique dining room table draped in a protective sheet of plastic. There are watercolours and acrylics, a spiral-bound sketchbook, pencils, an eraser. James has perched his phone at the top of the pad, presumably holding …
Twilight Sleep
I used to be a midwife. Sometimes I will be doing the dishes, or looking at a photograph, or catching a glance of a pregnant woman out of the corner of my eye, and it will happen: I remember that I used to be a midwife. As a calling, it was rewarding, nerve-wracking, and meaningful. …