“I’m lucky to have a portable craft. As a resident of both countries for equal parts of my life, I’ve hauled journals and notes scribbled on bar napkins back and forth across the border for years. One liners and sound bites from friends and strangers are gold to me, as are real life stories. Heart-stopping drama is happening all around me and as a non-fiction writer an endless supply of material is always on hand.

As far as my writer’s voice goes, I prefer brevity and paperback prose dipped in dark sensibility over dense, languid descriptions. Add to that a comic edge and a slice of ham and that’s me. For inspiration I draw from my working-class roots, dysfunctional upbringing, and experiences as an independent woman in pursuit of a non-traditional life. Growing up in Canada I was influenced by the cultural milieu and encouraged to indulge my creative instincts. However, my wise-ass writing style seemed out of place in the lush landscape of The Great White North. I feel more comfortable creating in the urban sprawl and manic energy of Los Angeles, CA.”