​As any author will tell you, there is nothing more satisfying that seeing a piece of writing grow and evolve into a story that draws in readers and transports them to another world. But along the way from the ‘big idea’ to a book on your favourite local bookstore's shelf, there are countless hours of planning, writing, revising and reflecting. And while writing novels can be addictive, it can also be frustrating and isolating. Countless writers, famous and otherwise, from Emily Dickenson to a author in your community, have relied on ‘dog therapy’ for exercise, stress-relief and inspiration as they move along this path. I’m fortunate to live in rural PEI so every day, I, with the enthusiastic company of my golden retriever, find a hiking or woodland trail or a favourite beach to enjoy the natural world and burn off some kinetic energy from all that thinking and sitting. Some days, a solution to a plotting problem or a stubborn character pops into my head and I return to my computer refreshed and inspired. But even if I have now great insights, seeing my pup’s glee at being on the trail or sandy beach is reward enough. 

 ,Sometimes, the best thing we can do for our tired writer’s brain is to take it outside and into the natural world. To celebrate the release of ‘The Governor’s Granddaughter’, in early September, a friend and I, our worldly goods in our paniers, took the plunge and  cycled the Confederation Trail from one end of PEI to the other. The Confederation Trail, a multi-use pathway on the former rail line, starts in Tignish in western PEI and, 273 kilometres later, arrives at Elmira in the east. But we took ‘Tip-to-Tip’ seriously, starting at North Cape at the very northern point of the Island, and continued past Elmira to East Point Lighthouse, 6 days later.  We were rewarded with sightings of birds and animals,  with a backdrop of maples in their fall finery of vibrant red, yellow and orange and the many glorious views of rivers, bays, and picturesque little villages. We took our time, stopping to read the dozens of fascinating historical and natural history plaques along the way. Our accommodations were a mix of charming cottages, a luxurious resort and historic bed and breakfasts. We were thrilled to that most shops were still open this late in the season including some excellent bakeries and ice cream shops not far off the trail.  We were sorry to have our trip end but we were rewarded by the wonderful staff at East Point Lighthouse with a ‘Tip-to-Tip’ certificate so we won’t forget the adventure. Not that there is any chance of that - it was the best adventure and in our own beautiful province! How perfect is that? So refreshed and recharges, it's back to my research... 

Want to rejoin the universe you inhabited while reading ‘Bound’? Now you can! ‘The Governor’s Granddaughter’ was released on August 29. In this historical novel, based on fictionalized Prince Edward Island history, you will meet some colourful characters for the first time and revisit some old friends. Margaret Gordon. the granddaughter of Walter Patterson, Prince Edward Island’s first governor, matures during the first half of the 19th century in parallel with the colony she thinks of as home and through her actions and a touch of fate, her future and that of PEI become once again intertwined. Welcome back. Colonial Prince Edward Island is waiting for you.

Sure, some may find digging through an archive a little dry. And it certainly can be. But then you or someone you know turn over a page and find something that shines a whole new light on the past we thought we all knew. Not long ago, researchers in Cambridge, UK reached out to me about some interesting tidbits they had uncovered about Susanna Torriano, the protagonist in Bound and real person from our history. The Governor’s Granddaughter is richer for their finds. And while this new historical novel is not a sequel to Bound in the traditional sense, readers will again visit with or hear about some of the colourful characters introduced in Bound and a few new, even more colourful ones. I am so grateful to researchers everywhere and especially my new friends at Cambridge for sharing the historical nuggets they've unearthed.