My mother knew I was going to be a writer in grade two. I was asked to write a sentence using a specific word, like “tree” or “house” and provided one line for each sentence. One line, apparently, would not do. My first sentence ran off the line, down the margin, along the bottom of the page, and over onto the next page. A story, after all, is as long as a story needs to be.

I don't know that there was one definitive moment, event, or experience that led me to conclude my life would be shaped by words. But if you look closely at my genetic code under a microscope I'm sure you would find these letters etched into my DNA: W*R*I*T*E*R. Writing has always been central to what I do and how I see myself.

As a communications professional, I work with words to shape messages for clients, wonderful people doing important work that matters. But it is their work, and ultimately their words. What you'll read here are my words. Words that came from my imagination, my need to speak, perhaps even my DNA.

What I've learned about writing is that while inspiration and ideas may be the spark, it is writing, rewriting, editing, hair pulling, and going back to the first page, again, that transforms ideas and inspiration into something that resonates with readers. And within yourself. I hope the words you find here will speak to you.

donalee's bio

In her own words

donalee is a professional writer from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her byline has appeared in over 100 publications across North America, including Canadian Business, Chatelaine, Equinox, Ford Times, Maclean’s, The Globe and Mail, and The National Post.

Her most recent mystery novel Bind is based in a local yoga studio. It is like coming home to a steaming bowl of tomato soup on a cold winter day. Comfortable and delicious.

Her book Conflagration! won the 2024 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Historical Mystery Suspense. Her other books include a murder mystery based in Nova Scotia and a non-fiction book about effective communications. She has two other books coming out this year.

She is a longtime educator. She's taught communications and writing-related courses at several universities as well as for government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations in Canada and the United States. She currently offers a variety of editorial services and workshops to help authors hone their writing and get it published.