What I'm doing

Normally I only blog when I have something interesting to say. I don't stick to a schedule for the sake of a schedule. And usually that means I post about once or twice a week.

But holy smokes - I've just noticed how long it's been!

So here's what I'm doing:

Revisions
ICE DOGS is kicking my butt with the final copy due in to my editor in September. Turns out, the work is NOT done once you've sold your manuscript. It has just begun.

Author Questionnaire
Once you sign with a publishing house, you normally get a multi-page document asking about you, your marketing plans, etc. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is keeping me on my toes.

New writing
I've just completed a new outdoor adventure loosely based on my own experiences working as a Park Ranger for twelve years in Quetico Park. Stay tuned.

New website
In honour of my new book coming out, the fabulous Maddee of Xuni.com is creating a serious work of art for me. I can't wait to show you.

Work
Since I'm about to spill the beans on my new website, I'll say now that I actually have a full time job as a Conservation Officer. I've been busy protecting our natural resources (ie. in spring this usually involves the walleye run)

Play
I've been getting in lots of camping and fishing this spring. And I've been planning our next kayak expeditions for the summer. Please check back again for more rugged Lake Superior coastline photos and near-death tales of adventure.

My man last weekend while we trolled for trout. No fish were harmed in the taking of the this photo.

On Passion

 When I was eighteen, I started working in Quetico Provincial Park as a canoe ranger. I was introduced to a whole new world of magical sunsets, loon calls, blackflies and the power of sunshine sparkling off the ripples on a lake. I worked in the interior on the canoe routes. Ten-day canoe trips clearing portages for five months. It snowed on the tent every month except July. But I was in love.

Paddling with my Elkhound, Tundra

I went back the next year, and the next, each year loving it a little more. Even though I spent the winters outside running my dogsledding business, every spring when I dipped my paddle once again, I felt as though my parched soul soaked it up.

putting in cordoroy

One of the more interesting portages in the Park

enjoying a sunset

I ended up working in the park until I was thirty. Twelve years paddling the interior. Roughly 860 nights spent in the tent. I've been to every lake in the Park. I grew up there. It shaped who I am today.

I now work on a bigger lake (Huron) and graduated to a bigger boat, but I still yearn for the Park each spring.

My first two books have been about dogsledding. Which, of course, is another of my passions. But, I think my next project will be about a canoe ranger.

What are your passions? Are you writing about them?