The Masks We Wear

I’ve written before about the volunteer work I do with the Superheroes of Victoria, and how when I put on one of the costumes, I feel transformed. I am transformed. And I think most of my fellow volunteers feel the same way. But a good friend once told me that the mask doesn’t hide who we are; rather, it allows us to show our true selves. (I wrote a micro-poem about this.)

Since Halloween, when I donned my upgraded Dr. Jillian Holtzmann, Ghostbuster, costume, I’ve been thinking more about the invisible masks we wear in our everyday lives. Which costumes are most freeing? Which characters do we gravitate to most, and what do they have in common? Most importantly, what does that reveal about ourselves?

These questions are a small part of getting to know self. But you know what else helps with this journey of discovery? Looking at the people you spend your time with. Because, as I read recently in a meme (not the best source of information, I know, but sometimes there are nuggets like this one): if everyone around you is neurodivergent, you probably are, too.

In other words, birds of a feather and all that.

Have Book, Will Travel (to Pittsburgh)

(It isn’t actually me in Pittsburgh, but my book!) A first edition of Provenance Unknown recently took a trip to the Steel City. From the looks of it, the view of downtown was pretty spectacular.

Thanks to the reader for sharing. I always love seeing where my book has travelled. ✈️

Prologue

Hopefully a teaser before before good news to be announced next month, but after nearly giving up writing altogether less than a month ago, I had a wild day on the publishing front — wild in the most wonderful, positive, and validating way. 😭 Stay tuned!

Best of Both Worlds

On November 25, I had the opportunity to give a talk to a middle school writing club about creating setting, using archives / museums as inspiration, and this may be the best crossover ever.

And what makes it even better is that my grade 8 English teacher is the one who invited me!

I would love to do more of this. (Know any teachers who might be interested in a speaker, either in person or virtually?)

Some Positivity For The Road

Les Bouquinistes – Movie Edition

Yes, it’s Hallmark, and some people equate that with cheesy. But I just watched this movie after stumbling across it (obviously the Eiffel Tower meant I had to see it) and now I’m grinning like a fool and wishing I could watch it again for the first time.

Interested? Read more about her pen pal and maybe stream it!

As always, thanks for reading. Merci!

Sonia