It's been years since Hangman became a part of my life. A tiny idea ripped open in a small kitchen as I played a hangman game with my son. For the last three nights, I've been having dreams about the story. The characters living, breathing, staring at me. Screaming at me to keep telling their… Continue reading When It Won’t Leave You Alone – And It Shouldn’t
Tag: writing
Winter Writing Retreat 2019
It's the final day of a four-day, three night writing retreat I'm having with my dear friend and writer Charis Cotter in house in a beautiful suburb of Toronto. I arrived at Union Station in downtown Toronto on Thursday afternoon lugging a backpack full of writing retreat necessities - laptop, journals, pens, glasses, manuscripts, oracle… Continue reading Winter Writing Retreat 2019
(It’s Okay To) Close the Door
Ah, it's Friday. That was a loooooong week. Winter has come back to us though our bones and muscles may have something to say about it. I'm glad the deep cold has come. It's Winter - that's what's supposed to happen. With the deep cold comes deep snuggling, deep darkness, deep contemplation. I'm in my… Continue reading (It’s Okay To) Close the Door
‘Tis the Season!
I'm feeling the yuletide spirit, friends! Are you as well? I've put a fancy word tree up at Gertrude's Writing Room. Workshops and classes continue to happen. Overall, I'm feeling pretty darn good. Last evening I finished reading a beautiful book by Kyo Maclear called 'The Letter Opener'. Maclear is one of my favourite writers!… Continue reading ‘Tis the Season!
VANESSA SHIELDS 