Monique Polak

A few months ago, I got a comment on this blog from a young woman named MaryAnn. Well, MaryAnn was in touch again last week and it turns out she is a writer and blogger, too. A graduate of Concordia, Maryann Hayatian has published a book of poetry, a children's book, and a novella with the very cool name, Love Is Blind, But the Neighours Ain't. MaryAnn told me she started her own website-- flutterflypages.com -- as a way to promote her work. She is also beginning a blogspot page where she hopes to interview people engaged in creative work. Like me, MaryAnn loves learning how artists do what they do. She told me she has interviewed writers, painters and printmakers. When I asked MaryAnn what inspires her to connect with other creative people, this is what she told me: "I do it to learn, to get to know more artists. You have to be in a circle of helping each other." I think that's a great attitude -- so here's to helping circles. Seems to me that that's what life is all about.

Watch this space for another profile later this week... prize-winning Toronto children's writer Frieda Wishinsky had dinner at my house last night and so, of course, I asked her to share a few writing tips. 

Note: It's Sept. 30, and MaryAnn just posted a little interview she did with me. If you want to check it out -- as well as MaryAnn's other interviews, here's the link: http://wtypewriterw.blogspot.com/