Where were you born? How long have you been living in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, Canada?
I was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and grew up on a prairie farm 25 miles southeast of that city. I went to university, got married, and worked as a teacher in Alberta until our family moved overseas in 1991. I have been living in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, BC since 2005 when my husband retired from his job with the United Nations, and we moved back to Canada.
Who introduced you to the world of books?
My mother was a teacher and an avid reader. She introduced me to the magical world of books as a young child. We had a bookshelf filled with classics such as Treasure Island and Heidi. I dreamt of living an adventurous life in faraway places. My mother read to me every night until I could read by myself.
Do you have a simple childhood memory that you can never forget?
The best memories of my childhood involve riding horses. I remember riding down country lanes dotted with deep purple prairie crocuses and yellow buffalo beans at a full gallop, the warm wind in my face and hair, a wondrous sense of freedom and joy in my heart.
How did your friends and family react to your first book?
Most of my friends were happy for me and interested in reading my memoir. Some friends and a couple of relatives felt that the book was too personal. From this, I learned that each person brings him or herself to a book. I am now prepared for a wide range of reactions when I publish a book.
Were you an avid reader as a child? Do you still read books?
Yes, I have been an avid reader all my life. I always have a pile of books waiting to be read. I enjoy character-driven novels, memoirs, and award-winning books.
What do you love the most about writing?
I love having time alone to indulge my imagination. I can go anywhere, be anyone, and create a story from the comfort of my little office space. In the case of my memoirs, I can relive moments of great adventure, joy, or sorrow. These memories reveal the stepping stones of my life and where they have led me.
What inspired you to write the memoir, Geckos & Guns: The Pakistan Years?
In early March of 2020, I was in the midst of marketing my first memoir, Nine Years in Bangkok. A friend had recently come to visit, and we were looking through photo albums of my time in Pakistan. Memories of that time began to dominate my thoughts. Then the COVID pandemic hit, and the world stopped. My calendar of events cleared. That was my opportunity to sit down and write. The book about Pakistan just came pouring out of me. It was as if it had been sitting there all along just waiting for me to have the time and space to write it.
What challenges did you face while writing your memoir, Nine Years in Bangkok: Lessons Learned in 2019?
This was my first book, and I faced many challenges. I began writing about my years in Thailand when we moved back to Canada in 2005. I had no intention of publishing. I was simply writing as a kind of catharsis. I’d encountered some formidable difficulties during that time, and I needed an outlet, a way to understand my journey during those nine years. In 2006 life intervened and I left my partial manuscript sitting on the computer. Then, in 2018 I had an opportunity to join a writing group. As a result of connecting with other writers and authors, I was able to hire a writing coach and revisit my dormant memoir. I published Nine Years in Bangkok: Lessons Learned in November 2019 and the rest is history.
Do you prefer writing on a notepad first or do you directly start writing on your computer?
I jot down ideas and compose an outline for my story on a notepad. Then I start writing the book directly on my computer. I find it easier to be creative and free in my thoughts and then go back and do corrections on the computer.
What are your best backpacking (world travel) tips?
My best traveling tip would be, “Get involved with the people and the culture in the place you are visiting as much as possible.” That usually means staying in that one place for a while. Flitting from one country/city to another and just interacting with people you are touring with will give you a nice set of photos, but it will not help you to understand the world. Use your travel opportunities to engage in life-changing experiences that broaden your wisdom and compassion.
How many books do you plan to write in the Living as an Expat series?
I’m not sure. I have more travel memoirs in mind but, at the moment I’m writing fiction.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Thailand?
When visiting Thailand a lot of tourists forget to be careful. Thais are generally warm, welcoming people. But that doesn’t mean there is no danger. Tourists are easily pickpocketed and robbed in crowded places and on public transportation, especially canal boat taxis, and river taxis. As well, tuk-tuk and taxi drivers have been known to manipulate tourists into a detoured visit to lower quality jewelry shops where they get a kickback. It is important to be aware and wary.
When writing novels, is it better to have daily time-spent-writing goals or words-written goals?
I don’t have daily time-spent or words-written goals. I write when I have time and when I am inspired to write. This is what works best for me.
What is the next book that you are writing? When is it due for release?
The book I am writing at the moment is fictional, set in the Canadian prairies in the 1960s. It is coming along slowly so I don’t have a date of release set at the moment.
Lastly, how has your experience with AllAuthor been so far? Would you recommend this platform to your author friends?
I have had a great experience with AllAuthor so far. They promote my book regularly and provide excellent creative mock-ups for marketing. I would definitely recommend this platform to other authors.
