I was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, raised in Lachine, Quebec and have lived in Toronto, Colborne, Ont. and Victoria BC. I have studied (and taught) Hatha Yoga, explored meditation techniques, researched ancient philosophies and modern religions. And written poetry. My work has appeared in Canadian, U.K., U.S. Irish, Australian and Austrian magazines. In 1993 I left Canada. for a ‘temporary’ move to England where, except for a year’s ‘extended vacation’ in Ireland I still resides. I am married, have two children and one grandchild. Publications Pack Rat, (chapbook) Reference West, (Canada)1992, ISBN 1-895362-42-08, fire water, Ekstasis Editions Canada Ltd.,1994, ISBN 0-921215-72-X. The Uncertainty Factor/As a Rock, (chapbook) Tears in the Fence (UK) 1995 ISBN 1-900020 02 5, Elemental Mind, Broken Jaw Press, (Canada) 1999, ISBN 1-896647-16-2 The Arran Designs and other poems, (chapbook) Hilton House (UK) 2001 ISBN 1-900824-96-5, Only a Dragon (chapbook) Micro Prose (Canada) 2002, ISBN 1-9686018-6-3 winner of the Shaunt Basmajian Chapbook Award A Calendar of Rain (chapbook) Micro Prose (Canada) 2004, ISBN 0-9-734609-1-1 winner of the Shaunt Basmajian Chapbook Award Edith (chapbook) poems on Nurse Edith Cavell, Flarestack Publishing (UK) 2004 ISBN 1 900397 76 5 Love in the (Irrational) Imperfect, Hidden Brook Press (Canada) 2006 ISBN 1-894553-71-3
Questions & Answers
Is there a specific moment that inspired you to pursue poetry?
I have been scribbling things down all my life—ever since I learned to read and I can’t remember not being able to read.
How/where do you find inspiration today?
Outdoors (I do a lot of walking), Indoors (books—I’m always reading: poetry, novels, newspapers, whatever… And people.
What is your writing process?
I woulden’t call it a prosess, it’s not tidy enough for that. It’s more a messy coalescence.
What is your revision/editing process?
I edit, edit again and again and again. Then, when I think it’s as good as it gets I file it away. After a suitable period (it varies) I read it over and, if it passes muster I give it a final polish and send it out.
Did you write poetry in high school? If yes, how did you get started? If no, why not?
At school poetry was for studying. Not writing. I concentrated on prose. Any poetry that evolved was kept very private. I didn’t offer anything for publication until I was old enough to know better
Do you use any resources that a young poet would find useful (e.g. websites, text books, etc.)?
A very good dictionary, a rhyming dictionary and a thesaurus are indispensable as far as I’m concerned.
When you were high school aged, what would have been helpful/motivating to hear from a published poet?
Yes. It probable would have concentrated my mind.