What do you do when a thirteen-year-old girl pokes you and says, “Write my story”? Hey, you know thirteen-year-old girls—determined.
What I liked was that she was living in my family’s old homestead on Lake Simcoe, Ontario. My parents turned it into a resort when I was a teenager.
The first owner named the property ‘The Briars’ back in 1840. That’s where I lived and worked until I retired, so I know it well. The house, the parish, and the community have so many stories to tell.
What I didn’t know was that her summer of 1919 was so busy. To get it down, I’m writing multiple books. I’ve published the first, with more to come.
Young Emily and I are piecing them together from Canada’s Maritimes. Fortunately, fictional characters travel well. She isn’t fond of the airplanes, though. They weren’t that safe when she was around.
So, we’re getting there. I sometimes get distracted by the trails, the water, the wildlife, our grandchildren, and teaching—my karate students require some of my time.
I’m looking forward to entertaining you.
