"The very act of writing, in a sense, is an act of faith or hope.” Margaret Laurence
I could tell you what a lot of writers might tell you- that I started at a young age (see cool retro photo), that I walk around with a happy little solar system of words and ideas orbiting my head on the daily, and that I don’t feel like myself unless I’m working on some new project. All true.
But none of those things are what keep me writing. You see, I’m also a philosopher. Specifically, I’m a public philosopher, and as such, it’s both my job and my pleasure to help people embrace all those big questions that they can’t help but wonder about, but are still a little unnerved by. I have faith that humans are capable of some groovy combination of reason, empathy, and play, and I hope that some of the things I write help someone learn how to think, instead of just what to think.
A big chunk of what I write is for kids, who are the most marvelous philosophers, and who often offer me snacks, stickers, and doodles of their pets. However, I also blog, and write poetry and short fiction for adults. Beyond faith or hope, I know that it’s never too early and it’s never too late to become an amazing thinker.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Origin story?
Born and raised in the GTA, Ontario, Canada, sometime in the 70’s. I’m a solid Gen X hoser.
Philosophy? Really?
You betcha! I have an Honours BA in English and Philosophy, and an MA in Philosophy. I taught it for more than a decade, and I’ve been writing about it about it for even longer than that. I’ve loved every minute of it. Highly recommend. Five stars.
What other tricks do you know?
I’m an extreme baker, a hopeful gardener, a world traveller, and a driver’s seat soprano. I am also a mother of dragons.
How do I get published as a writer?
The same way you get to be a lawyer, an opera singer, an underwater welder, or a spinach farmer- you learn all you can about the field (especially spinach farming types), you take it seriously, you train, and you practice, practice, practice. There really aren’t any shortcuts, but there are all kinds of wonderful resources on this here interweb thingy.
Where can I find your stuff?
Three places: the “Work” page of this site, my “Blog”, or if you’re keen to jump right to the kids’ stuff, you can check out RedTKidsMedia.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter, or reach out to me at info@redtkids.com.
What do you think of Aristotle’s claim that humans are animals that think?
I hope he’s right. My job security and a good chunk of my worldview kind of rest on it.