The first time I heard the name Sophia Amoruso was during a radio interview when she was promoting her new book, “#GIRLBOSS“. This 20-something young woman was describing her path to becoming owner of a highly-successful on-line retail fashion business called Nasty Gal. Her business smarts were remarkable for someone so young and my heart sang when she outlined her advice based on lessons learned…
Is an expensive education worth the investment?
A couple of weeks ago I attended a seminar for aspiring writers at Spadina Library in downtown Toronto. The guest speaker was Dr. Donna Kakonge, author of 66 books. One of the audience members, a teacher with a Master’s Degree asked if it was recommended that she obtain additional education in order to further her writing ambitions. With a degree in journalism from Carleton University,…
Let them eat cake . . .
Our sisters in public service have gone rogue and it’s hurting not only our gender but the entire population. First it was Pamela Wallin and now it’s Alison Redford, former premier of Alberta and Susan Fennell, Mayor of Brampton. It seems that power is indeed intoxicating. Give a girl the keys to the castle and before long she’s raiding the pantry. These Marie Antoinette wannabe’s…
I’m sick sick sick of the KKK’s
Writers have always been advised and encouraged to write about what they know. Today, I’ve chosen to ignore that advice in order to vent about something I know very little about. Would someone please tell me what is so newsworthy about the Kardashian klan—Kris, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall, Kylie—the whole kkk-koven? As part of my research and to be fair to the perpetrators I decided…
Elizabeth is Missing
For a debut novel, Emma Healey’s Elizabeth is Missing is remarkable. The book combines understanding and empathy for dementia with mystery and suspense. Maud Horsham is in her 80’s and while still living in her own home with the assistance of her daughter and a daily caregiver, she struggles with the challenges of memory loss and confusion associated with geriatric dementia. She writes copious sticky…
And so it goes
Diane Keaton is one of my favourite celebrities for a variety of reasons, the main one being her authenticity. (I once was amazed to find myself sharing an elevator with her at the old Four Seasons Hotel on Avenue Road in Toronto on my way to our company Christmas party.) I never miss attending her new movies as soon as they’re released. She’s had a…