Category: thoughts

• Toronto Tuesdays: Frieda Wishinsky

  Today I’m pleased to interview Frieda Wishinsky. Frieda is a great contributor of kidlit and supporter of kidlit creators. She has been a steady voice of encouragement for me over the years, particularly when cheering me on as I searched for an agent (her cheers eventually paid off! 😀) Thank you, Frieda, for all the […]

  claudiaosmond

  September 13, 2022

  art, interview, thoughts, writing

  author, creativity, Frieda Wishinsky, interview, kidlit, Toronto Tuesdays, writing

• Toronto Tuesdays: Aino Anto

  I am absolutely honoured to host Aino Anto on the blog today. I know Aino from our TorKidLit writers’ and illustrators’ group and every interaction I’ve had with her reveals a little more of her deeply creative and introspective soul. This interview is no exception. And I know you will experience the same as you […]

  claudiaosmond

  September 6, 2022

  art, interview, thoughts, writing

  Aino Anto, art, author, creativity, interview, kidlit, Toronto Tuesdays, writing

• Toronto Tuesdays: Intermission

  I don’t know about you, but I’ve been LOVING this series so far! How is it that I’m so lucky to know so many wonderfully creative people, and then be able to introduce them to you on top of it all? I’m so grateful! As summer has it, I’ll be on vacation for the next […]

  claudiaosmond

  August 4, 2022

  art, thoughts, writing

  art, author, creativity, musings, Toronto Tuesdays, words, writing

• Toronto Tuesdays: Cheryl Rainfield

  It’s my privilege to welcome Cheryl Rainfield to the Toronto Tuesdays blog series today. Cheryl is a YA writer that I met through our TorKidLit group — they’re actually one of the very first people who invited me into their home when I first moved to Toronto. I remember helping them paint their new apartment, […]

  claudiaosmond

  July 12, 2022

  art, interview, thoughts, writing

  art, author, Cheryl Rainfield, creativity, mental health, mental health care, Toronto Tuesdays, writing

• Toronto Tuesdays: Devin Fan

  Today I’m honoured to interview my friend Devin Fan. You might know him as another one-third of The Fan Brothers, a dynamic children’s book author/illustrator team (see Eric Fan’s interview here) I’ve gotten to know Devin as a loving husband, wonderful father, devoted brother, and supportive friend. Plus, he’s got a fantastic sense of humour […]

  claudiaosmond

  June 21, 2022

  art, interview, thoughts

  art, author, creativity, Devin Fan, poetry, taoism, Toronto Tuesdays, writing

• Toronto Tuesdays: Mazarine Memon

  Wowza! I mean, how stunning is the above photo? Mazarine is an all-around classy lady — she exudes confidence and has a very calming presence about her; even just the sound of her voice puts me right at ease. Mazarine is epically talented and has a heart for sharing her gift to better our world. […]

  claudiaosmond

  June 14, 2022

  art, interview, thoughts

  art, artist, creativity, interview, Mazarine Memon, Mysteries in Colour, Toronto Tuesdays

• Toronto Tuesdays: Ishta Mercurio

  I’m happy to interview my friend Ishta Mercurio for today’s Toronto Tuesdays blog post series. I met Ishta several years back, probably at a TorKidlit event of some sort, and we’ve had some good times together — especially during the wild plannings of two super fun Kidlit Galas in The Before Times. Ishta is passionate […]

  claudiaosmond

  June 7, 2022

  interview, thoughts, Uncategorized, writing

  antiques, author, creativity, Ishta Mercurio, kidlit, Pride, Toronto Tuesdays, writing

• Toronto Tuesdays: Kari Maaren

  I can’t remember exactly when I met Kari — it was most likely at a TorKidLit meet up — but she has become one of my favourite people on the planet. There are so many things to love about her, but one of the things I love most is her sense of humour — she’s […]

  claudiaosmond

  May 24, 2022

  art, interview, thoughts

  author, comics, creativity, Kari Maaren, kidlit, music, Toronto Tuesdays, writing

• Things You Don’t Have to Be Sorry For

  🌓 Have you ever felt silenced? Invisible? Small? That your thoughts and opinions didn’t matter? That what you were feeling was embarrassing? Have you ever started a sentence with, “I’m sorry …” (to bother you/take up your time/for being emotional/I’ll just be a minute …?) Who told you your time isn’t as valuable? your thoughts […]

  claudiaosmond

  April 28, 2021

  thoughts

  take up space, voice, worth

• Wonderful Magic in Unknown Places

  And today, the mortician’s daughter is (finally!) on submission. Writing — never mind publishing — is a long, often difficult journey, mostly endured in solitude. The fear and grief and now languishing of Covid has made it that much more difficult for many people to create, but I do take some solace in remembering how […]

  claudiaosmond

  April 25, 2021

  thoughts

  creativity, languishing, writing