Booklover and Writer

Me and all the appliances. Our #stovetop stopped working a week ago (for any of you who know how many stoves we’ve been through, the answer is I DON’T KNOW WHY THEY KEEP BREAKING or why they take so long to be fixed....) Multiple kids and their friends and our friends and the occasional teenager and many meals made on the griddle/instapot/eaten cold later, I’m just about ready for the #longweekend to be done! Back to #writing and #editing tomorrow, but still gotta get the monkeys fed tonight and then to bed #wishmeluck #writinglife #writersofinstagram #momlife https://www.instagram.com/p/BqGU11ln6go/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7vhkzdk6b5yd

As part of #loveyourbookstore , Yann and I went to @mcnallyrobinson @mcnallyrobinsonsk to share a #book on my wish list. The vivid and gorgeous prose that I heard excerpted at @wordfest this year, from this book written by the inimitable @claudiadeytona put #heartbreaker at the top of my #wanttoread list. What do you recommend I add to my #Xmas wish list of books? #independentbookstore #raincoastbooks @raincoastbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/BqDarItnjTT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xbg33k76541l

This is one of the activities that the group of kids at @readsaskatoon did with me. We took it in turns to write a line (they were too little to actually #write, so they spoke and I transcribed ;-) I love doing this with #children because after we’ve finished #writing together, I #read the story out loud to them. I love seeing how proud they are to hear their #words. I do this a lot at home with my #kids too (when I have time, at least)—they tell the #story, I write it, mistakes and silliness and everything. Normally they draw #pictures too (when they’re drawing is when I’m cleaning up/making supper/going on #socialmedia ;-) But now it’s tome for me to go back to #editing —thinking of you @kristinescarrow as we get this done! #writersofinstagram #mustwork #books https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp7LlOHnkWr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k1a5uzrxyvam

Curled up in my office in the basement, drinking tea and #editing. I was talking to @kristinescarrow earlier about how much work editing is. Neither of us realized when we first fell in love with #writing that so much of the process of #publishing a #book is actually reworking the text over and over. It’s so easy to become distracted from the nitty-gritty of editorial work, with the fun of #socialmedia or the endless pull of #email. But slowly, line by line, I know if I concentrate, I’m making a book better... at least, I hope I am. And I’m lucky to have amazing authors like Kristine to chat to when it’s all too much?!#writersofinstagram #writingcommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp5NnS0nSdy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=75j3wf317pgi

Beautiful morning with @readsaskatoon Thank you for having me with this lovely group of #readers and #writers! Lots of noise and fun, then #reading, #singing and #writing together. The kids helped me create a fun story, with fairies and an octopus in it! I love that my job pulls me out of my office for moments like this #writersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp2pTCeHzxq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mybkxvkcsgvw

A gift from Yann for my new office. I have a #roomofmyown down at the back of the basement—far nicer than it sounds. And now decorated with new plants so I can stare at them while #writing... https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp2N0p5HW1f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=c4lpfhlv3v5h

A love of reading starts with someone who you love or admire who shows you that they love #reading too. This is my dad reading with my kids, his voice full of fun and drama as his brings this #robertmunsch #picturebook to life. I was lucky to have this amazing man #read to me when I was little (my mum read to me lots too), and this special moment this #sundaymorning reminded me of where my own love for books comes from. So this post is for all the mums and dads and grandparents and caregivers and #librarians and #teachers who make #books come to life for #youngreaders Thank you!!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpw43BPHB2A/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hxp0mcfmnda3

@guardian #guardianweekly and a cuddle. #thebest #readingalways #writersofinstagram #momlife https://www.instagram.com/p/BpseMKlHJ5C/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cwc61obw9yb

I saw this on the wall of the #CrossFit gym that I go to (occasionally), and it made me think of some of the people I’ve met during this summer who live these words. There are many people in my life who I admire and feel grateful for, but today I’m particularly grateful for @katelynroberts417 , @she_will_roam , @greggbamford and @mtanton for showing me new ways to look at a city I’ve lived in for a long time. All of them make me want to do better, and they have all helped me figure out small ways I can be a part of #yxe and my #community Sometimes its hard to know what to do or how to get involved and these four have helped me, just by being who they are. Now, here at home I have five kids and a teenager, four of the kids are being weepy exhausted halloweened messes, and we have big #JustDance plans to get through the evening. But I just wanted to quickly share this because it made me feel very lucky today. X https://www.instagram.com/p/BpqFHa6nLS1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ugcjtkf8rcg1

Getting everyone out the house (late for school, ish) was total chaos today. The kids are already excited (before they even start eating candy and sweets) and our five year old really struggles when the day isn’t following routine. Once the hairspray came out, he lost it. And I struggled not to have a tantrum myself. Just letting you know what’s behind the smiling photo of #instagram_kids and #family Today, I get to spend the morning with READ Saskatoon, sharing stories and Polly Diamond, and fun with kids and parents who are gaining literacy skills. I love the work @readsaskatoon do and I’m delighted to be with them, before Halloween parades and trick or treating and more ‘quality’ family time ;-) #halloween #momlife #notwriting #writersofinstagram #pollydiamond https://www.instagram.com/p/BpmfLZanTPf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ohay37lq1hnd

I should be working, but I started reading this gem of a book by @gail_bowen1990 and I love it. It’s so personal and smart and moves at a pace that makes it hard to stop reading. This is a hands on guide to writing mystery, and yet it’s also a beautiful book about a writer’s life. #writersofinstagram #books #mysterywriting #mustwork https://www.instagram.com/p/BpPY2hEj6oB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11cav5d07zr48

Loving a day in #yxe with my oldest three. Yup, much squabbling and dealing with no sleep as one was coughing all night, but the sun is shining, we’ve been hiking and after lunch we’ll decorate for Halloween. #notwriting #notreading but thinking of the book I’m going to finish reading over this week for @tanya_trafford and then planning some serious retreat from the world while I edit. Setting up my new office space during the week, but first #coffee in this never empty cup... https://www.instagram.com/p/BpNLtSjjmZ-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nnxbhnlmcyt9

My dog, Bamboo, and I are thinking about going for a walk (while lying on the coach). The kids are all ‘in flow’, my way of describing the fact that for a few moments they’ve found stuff to do happily. Minimal squabbling-give it five minutes, I know! I’ve been reading the astonishing Motherhood by Sheila Heti. It is a novel about the narrator’s choice not to have children, as far as I understand so that she can write. The language is brilliant and conceptually it inspires envy and admiration. But, I also remember when I heard author Elizabeth Strout speaking about her need and desire to write being equal to her need and desire to be a mother. That’s where I exist—in a space where my need and desire to care for this ragtag bunch of mine is matched by but not surpassed by my need and desire to write. So, no writing today but a dog walk once the squabbling starts #writersofinstagram #reading #motherhood #notwritingtoday #dogsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BpKVEsPDg0-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hmvcomay424s

Being a mum, I mean being a tooth fairy (shhhhh!) is my favourite ;-))))))) #writersofinstagram #notwritingtoday https://www.instagram.com/p/BolB58InTal/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=somjk80mwra2

These two are happily (;-)))) reading the ARCS of the new Polly Diamond. It won’t be available until next May, so these two are beta testing it! It’s a beautiful feeling to have my kids read my book—I turned round and found them sitting like this and was delighted. My youngest has had croup this week and we’ve had a lot going on at our house, but this moment helped me stop and smile #writersofinstagram #momlife #pollydiamond #pollydiamondandthemagicbook https://www.instagram.com/p/BohxNOqnPVq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hih4xsjccne

Yup ;-) #midweek #momlife #writingprompts https://www.instagram.com/p/Boe2wD3nBjS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h1ydxi4kv9zd

As most of you know, I love reading. But I rarely mention how much I love reading newspapers. Every morning with coffee I catch up on local and international news with @thestarphoenix here in #Yxe (I tube out the children as best I can ;-) and then I read #guardianweekly @guardian cover to cover every week. #nowmorethanever I find that having a clear understanding of real news and of what’s happening in the world—in whatever format, print, on a phone, on a tablet, although for me, it’s always print—gives me the tools to shape my choices. This week is #nationalnewspaperweek and so I’m posting to share my support for rigorous journalism and for newspapersmatter.ca Thanks @firstbookcanada for reminding me to do this! https://www.instagram.com/p/BocG3GkjjNG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=141vjkdx5pvsl