Amy writes for Tinybeans about how destabilizing new motherhood can be, until a friend’s Xanax-fuelled insight helps her get a grip.

Then 7.9 pounds of contradictions arrived. When I realized that my life was entirely dependent on this tiny person’s mood swings, I panicked. I resorted to books, devouring everything from The Happiest Baby on the Block (not mine) to The Baby Whisperer (it’s hard to whisper over ear-splitting screams).

Amy writes about a New Year’s tradition for her family for Tinybeans

One of our favorite family traditions was inspired by—of all things—a half-remembered episode of Oprah: on Sunday nights, my husband, daughter, and I take a couple of minutes after dinner to write down one thing we are grateful for from the previous week.

Amy writes about how losing her sense of smell and affected her parenting in Tinybeans

I lost my sense of smell for a year. This was back in 2013, long before the pandemic made its absence a harbinger of a devastating virus. Today, as the effects of long COVID become better understood and some people report continuing anosmia (loss of smell and taste), I’ve been remembering my life without smell, and how it distanced me from the people I love. 

Amy writes about how to use archives to support your historical fiction in Writer’s Digest

Every document tells a story and there are millions of plots waiting to be discovered

I have made archival research sound complicated, daunting and a bit intimidating. To be frank, it can be those things, but the rewards are immense. Archives hold the detritus and truth of human experience. They give you an unselfconscious window into the past.

Amy gives relationship advice in an article for Chatelaine Magazine

My husband and I have been together for almost 20 years. We have very different personalities and communication styles. I’m an extrovert who talks quickly—some might say “blurts.” He’s a quiet guy who carefully considers each word before speaking. I am impulsive; he’s more thoughtful. Over the years this has led to misunderstandings, hurt feelings and many, many fights.

Amy writes about the power of a critiquing group to strengthen writing and provide that all-important support at Women Writers Women’s Books

The year was 2002. Michelle Kwan had a devastating fall in her long program at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, the Queen Mother died, and Michael Jackson briefly dangled his baby off a Berlin balcony. I was new to the city of Ottawa and didn’t know many people. In an effort to be more social, one wintery evening I found myself in a highschool classroom being taught how to critique writing as part of a continuing education program.

Amy writes about some less touristy Parisian destinations for Trip Fiction

Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris, and like a true Parisian, it wears its years with style. Built in the 17th Century, it is a quiet, pleasingly symmetrical oasis of red bricked homes, and shops with a beautiful arcade to stroll under in the inevitable Parisian drizzle.

The stores are filled with interesting and unusual treasures and are worth a window shop, if not an outright purchase. I splurged and bought a gorgeous silk scarf and have NO REGRETS.