Tell us about yourself.
I was an award-winning educator, and Head of English at several Toronto high schools. I was also an associate professor in the teacher-training programs at York University and the University of Toronto. Since retiring from the teaching profession, I now find time to write. My writing includes a best-selling “how to” book called Essay Writing Made Easy, a memoir commemorating the hard-working volunteers at an historic Toronto house, three historical fiction novels about real people who once lived here when Toronto was called York, and a modern novel about a University of Toronto professor. I hold a post-graduate degree in Canadian literature, and I write essays and reviews for magazines and newspapers. I also teach writing, do freelance editing, and give lectures on people from our fascinating historical past.
What made you write your books?
My essay book was, of course, an attempt to help students write well. My memoir came from my decade of work as an historical interpreter during which time I came to appreciate the dedication of volunteers. My modern novel pulled some memories from my years at the University of Toronto. My three historical novels came from the wide knowledge of 19th century domestic, social, and political life I gained in my time working in Toronto’s finest old houses. I learned, for example, why table knives had rounded edges, why candles were stored in metal safes at night, and why even the best people seldom bathed.
What is the first book you remember reading?
As a child, I always had my nose in a book. Perhaps my most memorable early books were The Scarlet Pimpernel and A Tale of Two Cities. I grew up in two small rural towns, and these books gave me a glimpse into a wider world that I found fascinating.
How many hours a day do you spend writing?
There are always the e-mails that need answering, the dog that needs walking, the grass that has to be cut, and mundane tasks often take me away from finding time for my fiction writing. Some days I don’t work at all on my fiction. Other days I may find time for several hours of work.
What is the most difficult part of the artistic process?
It’s the first draft. Once I have that in place, I truly enjoy the editing process.
What kind of research do you do and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I try to have a good general knowledge of my character before I start writing. This knowledge often comes from biographies and other secondary sources. Then I generally plunge into the writing and pause for more research when I need to know more about a character. At this point, I’m often to be found in various archives reading diaries and letters. For example, I needed more information about the young child who lived with Elizabeth Russell and her half-brother Peter. That quest for more information sent me to the archives to read Elizabeth Russell’s scribbled diaries. Her handwriting was god-awful, but I persevered and after several days of eyestrain, I was able to understand much much more about this young girl. My increased knowledge enabled me to add a chapter or two to the manuscript in progress.
Where can interested readers find out more about your books?
My books are described in detail on the Amazon website, or they can Google my name and get lots of info. Two of my latest novels, Duelling in a New World and A Daughter Rebels, are promoted on my Author Ann Birch Facebook page. I also frequently speak to historical societies, and readers who may belong to one of these societies are sure to meet me sooner or later. I also welcome inquiries at my e-mail address: annbirch@uniserve.com
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