At my home on Vancouver Island I juggle freelance writing with teaching kiddos piano and navigating the endless surprises of parenting. I survive on coffee and chocolate. My writing is informed and inspired by years of experience as a teacher/teacher-librarian, professional musician, and parent/step-parent. I am a reflective optimist, seeking meaning in the mundane, opportunity in challenges, and clinging onto the stubborn belief that there is more kindness in the world than darkness.

Most recent words:  
IslandParent,  Inspired, AARP#TheGirlfriend, AARP#DistruptAging, The Washington Post, The New York Times,  HuffPost, The Globe and Mail, Today's Parent, ParentMap,Island Parent, Motherfigure, Pawzy

Previous bylines: Grok Nation, BLOOD + MILK, CV Collective Magazine, 150x39 Poetry Anthology (Vancouver Island Regional Library), Ageless Living Magazine, REW.ca, and Tiny Buddha.

I released an EP of original songs, "Walking Tall," in 2013. You can hear samples of this and my other music at kellymcquillan.com