Confession: I have committed one of the worst writing crimes ever: I came up with a working title for my novel long before I started writing it. Everything I Learned About Being a Girl, I Learned from Princess Leia. It made me laugh. It made me happy. It made me wonder what Princess Leia would … Continue reading The day Carrie Fisher gave me that medal
My colleagues and I recently endured six or more months of planning, trouble-shooting and organizing for a marathon of mini-conferences that took place from July 13th until July 19th in Vancouver, BC. As soon as I knew we were hosting our meetings there, I booked my vacation for the two weeks following the events. A … Continue reading Pacific Glide
I honestly think it would be strange if I didn’t have my feet firmly planted in more than one world at one time. 2001 was the year I did my first field trip as an anthropologist-in-training. I was headed to a small hamlet community called Igloolik, in the newly established Nunavut Territory. I was going … Continue reading Anthro 101
The last time I drove across Canada was in the 1990s. I was in my 20s (please not do the math. I repeat: do not do the math!). After that trip, I promised myself that I would drive long distances whenever I could. There was however, one small hitch in my noble plan. Confession: I didn’t … Continue reading Why I would give anything in the world to be Danny Michel right now.
When I started writing my novel, I knew I wanted to play with dreams – not the fantasy type, but the ones that roll through our nighttime movie house, if we’re that lucky. I’ve had some pretty intense ones in my day. Some have been profound; some just a lot of intense fun. I don’t … Continue reading Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines
A week or so ago, I was in Toronto for a conference. The mad pace was set as soon as I dumped my luggage in the hotel room that stood in as ‘home’ for the next four days. I met my colleague Patrick in the hotel lobby and we were off to find our hotel … Continue reading A little bit of west in the east
I was probably ten when Mom sent my sister and I to see Star Wars. “Watch for Han Solo,” she said as she pressed money in to the palm of my hand for admission and candy. “What’s Han Solo,” I asked. “You’ll see,” was all she said. I remember being blown away. I remember wanting … Continue reading A long time ago, in a town not so far away …
I think it’s safe to say that music has had a hand in shaping my identity over time. In my early teens, Duran Duran gave me permission to dress as close to a New Romantic/New Wave as I dared, growing up in a small town. The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees urged me to … Continue reading Sam, Matt and Whitehorse: my musical trinity
Last spring, my friend Janet had come home from Ireland to work on her second novel. She invited me to visit at her dad’s cottage overlooking the beautiful Annapolis River for the weekend. We would catch-up; maybe even write a little, she said. “What are you doing, Marnster?” I was sitting at the kitchen table, … Continue reading How Stephen King Saved Me
A couple of weeks ago, I met with an editor who told me I needed to start a blog. So, here it is … my first blog post. Well then, “Let’s start at the very beginning … a very good place to start,” as Julie Andrews says. I started writing again, late in 2011. That’s … Continue reading The Beginning …
marni amirault 