Gather round literary folk – there's a new bookshop in town! If you haven't heard already, let me shout out a 'here-yeee here-yeee' for the charming new literary gem that is the River Bookshop. Located in the heart of Amherstburg, this quaintly modern bookshop is awaiting your attention! I had the opportunity to do a… Continue reading The River Bookshop – Essex County’s Newest Literary Gem!
Author: Vanessa Shields
Writer. Mother. Lover.
This day
Today is my Nonna's birthday. This is a photo of her one year ago. Her shirt says: Never underestimate the power of a woman. About a minute before this photo was taken, Nonna blew out the candles on her cake. Before that, I took a video of her patiently waiting for us to gather our… Continue reading This day
First Day of High School, French Kisses and Thimbles
I have a fourteen-year-old son. Today he starts high school. These two sentences blow my mind into the kind of oblivion that's hard to stumble back from. I needed to go back in time, you see. I needed to remember where I was all those years ago when I started high school. Most days I… Continue reading First Day of High School, French Kisses and Thimbles
Virtual Book Launch & Other Cool Matters
Greetings friends. Happy first day of September. Indeed, it has arrived...the fat grey clouds and sassy wind are right on schedule (though I was not mentally prepared for the heat at 3:30pm this afternoon on my run. Golly.). I'd say most things are as unpredictable as the weather these days. What is predictable though, if… Continue reading Virtual Book Launch & Other Cool Matters
Virtual Launch w/ Dorothy Mahoney – 1 Week Away
On Thursday, September 3, 2020 beginning at 7pm, I have the distinct honour of hosting the Virtual Book Launch for the great poet Dorothy Mahoney. Her new book, Ceaseless Rain, (Palimpsest Press, 2020) is hot off the press. Join us as we talk about Ceaseless Rain, hear Dorothy read some poetry, and more – including… Continue reading Virtual Launch w/ Dorothy Mahoney – 1 Week Away
The Virtual Writing Retreat – In Photos
Organize your workspace. Choose your writing projects. Make your schedule. Manage your tech. Detangle. Create a funky place to lean your cell phone. Gather ye rosebuds...er, gather your snacks. Include water. Embrace the positive. Trust in the magic. Feel the love. Do the work. Be kind to your creative soul. Quiet the inner critics. Slay… Continue reading The Virtual Writing Retreat – In Photos
The Virtual Writing Retreat
Pandemic times call for pandemic creativity. For your writing soul, for your creative discipline, and for your writing friendships, here's a how-to on creating your own Virtual Writing Retreat. 1.Choose a writing partner(s). Sounds simple enough, however, there are things to consider when building your writing group/pair. The most important thing is to be honest… Continue reading The Virtual Writing Retreat
When Stooping to Secure it – Writing Prompts
Because what is the joy if you go alone (from Osho ‘Courage’) Joy is wild part adventure part starlight part peace she needs to expand like breath to be soft like single tears to be hard like torrential rain Joy glistens content that in the shade of learning is the thicket of alone necessary but… Continue reading When Stooping to Secure it – Writing Prompts
