I grew up in Hudson Heights (near Montreal, Quebec). I was a shy, small-for-my-age, skinny, little kid. When I was in school, I spent a lot of time worrying that I was going to be asked a question – so I often didn’t pay as much attention as I should have. On one of my early report cards, the teacher wrote, “We know Ainslie could do better, if she spent less time dreaming.” (She was right!)

I was happiest in the summer time, when I could be outdoors all day long. I rode ponies and horses whenever possible at a farm across the road. I swam in the Ottawa River. I rode my bike everywhere.

I loved books, but because of the war, I had few of my own. (A little like Sally in my story, Just Like New.) I had really poor eyesight (a little like Allison in my story Ballerinas Don’t Wear Glasses) and when I was in about Grade Four, an eccentric eye doctor informed my mother that I should be reading nothing but essential school work. Probably because of that skimpy beginning, I now read voraciously – and despite all the reading (though of course I still wear glasses) I’m far from blind!

Composition was my favourite subject in school. I loved making up stories. I also kept a diary. I wrote down everything that happened to me… but sometimes I made up happy endings for myself that were completely imaginary! My diary was private, so I could write whatever I wanted to write – but once one of my brothers pried open the lock… what a surprise he got! (He’d not realized how brave and capable I was! How I could handle the town bully with just a few scathing words!) I loved my two older brothers but they sure knew how to make me mad! It wasn’t always easy being the youngest in the family and the only girl.

I didn’t realize in my school years that writing was something I might choose as a future career. By the time I was in high school I’d found another subject that I loved... history. That love has stayed with me and a number of the books I have written are connected with some aspect of Canadian history.

After high school I could have (and probably should have) gone on to university, but in those days it meant taking more math and I couldn’t face that! So instead, I worked and saved enough money to travel. I didn’t cover the whole world, but I saw a good deal of it. And every night I would write about my adventures.

It wasn’t until after I was married that I finally realized I wanted to make some sort of writing into a full time career. By this time I had missed my chance of going to university full time, but I took a three year creative writing course, working on it at home in the evenings... because I had a day job.

I only came to the realization that I wanted to write for children after trying several other types of writing. When I had children of my own, I discovered my true genre. We had three active sons, however, and so for many years finding writing time was tricky.

I wrote my first book, "Mr. McUmphie of Caulfeild Cove" when our third son entered Kindergarten. And that same year, I began a six year stint with Vancouver’s morning newspaper, "The Province". In those days "The Province" had an education page that was used in schools by Grade V Social Studies classes. I was a freelancer, and worked at home. It was great fun and I’d found a niche for the two subjects I liked best: Creative Writing and History. I wrote several different series for them, close to one hundred pages in six years. Most of the pages were history connected, and a few became the seeds of ideas for future books.

When our three sons left home I expected my life would change. I would become calm, serene and wonderfully organized. But that didn't happen. We still live in a state of comfortable confusion. Books and papers everywhere and now, once again, a jumble of toys, cribs and highchairs because we've been blessed with grandchildren. Two grandsons... Connor age five, and Rowan age two -- and a never ending source of book ideas.

I do have a study of my own now -- in fact I have two! Since my hard-working doctor husband is now retired we're able to spend a lot of our time, summer and winter in the log cabin that we built twenty-five years ago. This wonderful peaceful haven is in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, not far from Bridge Lake.

In Vancouver, my writing room is in a downstairs corner of our rambling old house and it has a peek-a-boo view of the sea. When we're at the cabin, I write in the loft of a barn! Here, instead of the sea, I look at a small, quiet lake, grazing horses, and lots of wildlife.

In both my writing hide-aways I still stare out the window and dream a lot, just like I did when I was a little girl. But when I find myself wasting too much time, I remember a saying by Goethe: "Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute! What you can do, or dream you can, begin it! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Only engage, and then -- the mind grows heated. BEGIN, and then the work will be completed."

What do I do when I'm not writing? I love to quilt, walk our dogs (two labs, one black and one yellow) hike, cross country ski (also of course with the dogs), horseback ride, canoe, kayak and swim (again, with the dogs). And I read voraciously - I usually have a number of books on the go at one time. I belong to two book clubs. One is an adult book club that I've been a part of for thirty years. The other is a book group of a different kind. We are all picture book writers and/or illustrators. I couldn't do without these close friends. We debate, commiserate, inspire and encourage.

When will I retire? Never! How could I - I've still a million ideas wanting to turn themselves into books. Write On!