A Beautiful Moment
A moment of connection between myself and a reader who was inspired to research her own mom’s history in a munitions factory in WWII after reading my book.
Gender Equality in Political Life – Not There Yet.
It’s a century after the first woman was elected as a Member of Parliament, and we’re still making the same arguments about the importance of women in decision-making at the highest level of our country.
kawarthaNOW Features my Debut
A link to the story about No Secrets Among Sisters in kawarthaNOW by Megan Gallant.
Attention Book Clubs
Here is a list of possible discussion topics for book clubs and reading groups for No Secrets Among Sisters from the author.
Keeping the story on track
Trains and streetcars circa 1915 feature prominently in No Secrets Among Sisters. Learn how I was able to find examples to ensure the story was authentic.
WWI Toronto
Corner of King and Dufferin Streets, Toronto, 1917, credit: Library and Archives Canada
Historically Speaking
My Great-Aunt Frankie turned 90 years old in 1986 and we threw a party. She stood up and spoke about her memories of her life and her many siblings. It was mesmerizing. Even for me - the youngest in the room.
With encouragement, Aunt Frankie wrote down everything she could remember. When her Parkinson’s became too severe, she recited it into a tape recorder and hired someone to type it. With their savings, Aunt Frankie and Uncle Bob published A History of The Ford Family. Each family member received a bound copy.
I had read the book when I was younger, but happened to pick it up in about 2015 to keep me company for a bit on my commute to Toronto on the GO train. It was then that I read the chapter of WWI where Aunt Frankie described the munitions factory in which she and her sister worked. It was at the corner of King and Dufferin Streets, a stone’s throw from my office at Music Canada.
It was a profound moment. This is what inspired me to write my first novel.