I was diagnosed with absence seizures when I was 11. I’m now in my 40s, and although I’ve never actually asked my parents what they thought when they heard the diagnosis, I know that I would be terrified to receive that diagnosis…
Candice Leyland, watercolour artist and art teacher, never imagined she’d be where she is today: making a living from her art. As a writer, I can empathize. One stereotype that still exists is that of the starving artist (or writer). In this…
I’ve been trying to figure out a way to encapsulate all of this year in a word that encompasses both the pain that many have felt but perhaps also the hope that was waiting to be uncovered through that pain. “Empathy” struck…
Please forgive the headline: Depending on the context, it can come across as originating from a cheapskate. But my intention is good. Because of the pandemic this year, you’ve likely read many calls to buy at local businesses. However, the truth is…
When I tried my first cup of loose-leaf black tea, my first reaction was, “Oh, it tastes like black tea.” Hardly a culinary epiphany of gastronomical proportions. I was disheartened and worried my journey into the world of the camellia sinensis plant…
It can often be difficult giving books as gifts to an avid reader in your family: You have to know their favourite genres, favourite and disliked authors, and what books they’ve read and bought. Which is why trying a new author could…
Just a very quick heads-up: If you live in or are shipping to an address in Canada, you’ll soon be able to order signed books directly from me. I do need to warn you, though, that shipping will be standard Canada Post…
Between Worlds 7: What Will Come releases today! The last of the “second season” of the series, I’m excited to enter into the last few months of such a downer year on such a high note. In this blog post, I’ll share with…
Today is World Mental Health Day, and it’s a day I’ll admit I’m always conflicted about. I sometimes worry that some of the messaging on mental health and mental illness makes it sound like a meme: “An affirmation a day keeps the shrink…
Lisa LaTouche began tap at age eight after her mother showed her a little time step. Her career has taken off since. She’s studied under Buster Brown, Gregory Hines, and Savion Glover and performed on Broadway, including at the 70th Tony Awards. We talked…