Author Archives
I am a writer of adventure stories (although this is not an official category my writing spans YA, NA, Speculative Fiction, and Romance) who taught high school English in a past life.
I am a freelance writers and editor who loves giving creative writing workshops and advising about the self-publishing landscape. I'll have 3 books published in my Chronicles of Xannia series as of April 2017, 3 non-fic industry publications, three short stories in two anthologies, and one essay on the believability factor in fiction writing in a guide to writing.
I am a mother and a wife with an OCD bent toward organization - but I hate cleaning and anything related to it, so I'm definitely not a housekeeper! ;)
I learned how to shoot an olympic bow when I was in high school and I look forward to taking it up again in the future.
I enjoy playing adventure games on my PSIII, X-Box 360, and Wii.
I have a quick mind and a good sense of humour but I am not a humourous person, though I try.
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How to Show Deception in Dialogue
Dialogue is one of those things you either just “get” or have to “work” at. But either way, both types of writers still need to challenge the reader and themselves. Just because your words flow well and sound realistic, doesn’t… Read More ›
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5 Tips for Writing Action
For me, when it comes to writing an action scene or sequence I get excited and the amazing moment spews over the page in a glorious haphazard way — and for a first draft, that’s okay. Maybe you’re a planner… Read More ›
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How to Kill a Character
Inevitably there comes a time when a character must die. It’s often easier to kill off “evil” characters than “good” ones, but both are necessary to bring “balance to the force”. I came across author Lucinda Hawks Moebius’ tips recently… Read More ›
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Fiction Friday #36 – Fractured: When Shadows Arise / YA Contemporary Fantasy
Excerpt From FRACTURED: When Shadows Arise By Cathy Hird Although the sun was close to setting, heat made the air above the black road shimmer. Sweat formed on Korina’s neck, and for a moment, she considered skipping her evening run…. Read More ›
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Book Spotlight – Fractured: When Shadows Arise
Step onto the rail trail outside a quiet Ontario town for an evening jog. A normal thing to do, until… As grade twelve exams finish, Dara anticipates a summer working in the family market garden and hanging out with… Read More ›
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How To Create Credible Female Villains
If someone asks you to list off any three, iconic, female villains you might come up with a list consisting of several of the following: The White Queen (Narnia) Maleficent (Maleficient) Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter) The Evil Queen (Snow White)… Read More ›
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Why Did the Editor Miss Errors in Your Book?
What is the price of perfection? When you pay for professional editing, shouldn’t you be assured that your book will be error-free? Accuracy rates for professional editors today are quite high. Yet language and the art of writing don’t lend… Read More ›