About the Author

 

Diane Fothergill began her writing career telling fairy tales to her sisters and by seventeen, had written her first fantasy manuscript for children. Since then she has written over 12 manuscripts, numerous short stories and non-fiction articles.

Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Diane spent her childhood in Nova Scotia. She met her husband at Carleton University in Ottawa where she graduated with an honours science degree majoring in Biology. After moving to Edmonton, she took a couple of anthropology courses at the University of Alberta before her son, Geoff, was born in 1977. Her daughter, Meghan, was born in 1984. In 2005, her grandson, Elijah, entered the world followed by his brother, Miles, in 2007.

For 10 years, Diane was an active volunteer in the Edmonton Public School Board aiding in Language Arts classes and founding and co-ordinating a school's publishing house. She also spent 7 years working behind the scenes at the Edmonton School of Ballet.

Over the course of her career, Diane Fothergill has written more than a million words and has spoken to many children about the joys of writing. She loves touching their imaginations and inspiring them to express themselves through the written word.

 

 

 

Memberships

• Writers Guild of Alberta (Percy Page Centre, 11759 Groat Road N.W., Edmonton, Alberta, T5M 3K6)
• Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers (35 Spadina Road, Toronto, Ont., M5R 2S9)

 

Writer-in-Residence

• January, 1994 - March, 1996, Holyrood School, Edmonton

"She believes in the importance of good writing and tirelessly promotes it at Holyrood School. She inspires children by being our 'Writer-In-Residence'....Thank you, Diane, for your contributions to making Holyrood a good school. "

Kids Speak:

• "I learned how to improve my adjectives, names, get more ideas, know what a 'protagonist' means, beginnings, descriptions and ends. I had fun." Chris Ianson, Year 6.
• "I learned that a story takes a lot of work. It was a good experience." Zoe Todd, Year 5.
• "I learned tricks and tips for writing and it improved my planning which I need to work on. It was a good experience." Jared Bialowas, Year 5.
• "I learned that I needed to be more descriptive and I discovered that I was, in fact, a good writer. Yes, it was a good experience." Keltie Duncan, Year 6.
• "I loved it! Excellent!" Sheldon Pinto, Year 6.
• "It was a good experience. I learned how to write great stories; how to get my reader interested with different techniques." Thea Ainsley, Year 6.

Parents Speak:

• "Writers-in-Residence... it's an opportunity not to be missed." Mrs. Scott
• "This has been reflected in his school-work, Language Arts." Mrs. Pinto
• "Chris made a commitment to this program-a commitment that he not only kept but thoroughly enjoyed!" Ms. Skinner
• "I found the program to be an important self-esteem booster...." Mrs. Henderson-Wert

Workshops

• April, 1997 - 1 hour session on Mystery Fiction for Year 7, Edmonton, Alberta.
• March, 1997 - 3, 2 hour sessions on General Writing for Years 4, 5, & 6. Brooks & Medicine Hat, Alberta.
• January, 1994-March, 1996 - 15, 1 hour Workshop sessions for Years 5 & 6. Edmonton, Alberta.

Diane Fothergill "has dedicated many hours of her time in providing a high quality workshop for our budding writers. The quality of their writing has improved and they are sharing their enthusiasm with their classmates. The Writers in Residence Program has provided them with a positive experience they will never forget." Holyrood School, Edmonton.

Appearances

• Readings - Playschool-Year 6
• On Being a Writer - Playschool-Year 7
• How to Write a Mystery - Years 3-7
• Writing Fantasy Fiction - Year 6
• Read-In Week - Years 7-9
• Humanities Day - Year 8

Volunteer Work

• 2000-present - Member - Edmonton School of Ballet Society, 02-03 - Grant Coordinator
• 1998-02 -- Secretary--Edmonton School of Ballet Parents' Committee
• 1996, 1998-2003 - Program for Spring Show -- Edmonton School of Ballet
• 1998 -- Transition Team Volunteer -- Bonnie Doon High School/Vimy Ridge Academy, Edmonton
• 1996-98 -- Volunteer Language Arts and Social Studies Aide, Years 7, 8 & 9, Bonnie Doon Junior/Senior High School, Edmonton
• 1996-98 -- Pre-industrial Revolution Demonstration, Year 9, Bonnie Doon Junior/Senior High School, Edmonton
• 1996-98 -- Wardrobe Liaison, Backstage Volunteer-Edmonton School of Ballet
• 1988-95 -- Volunteer Co-ordinator of Holyrood Elementary School's Publishing House, Edmonton.

"She has led...a dedicated group of volunteers." E. Jurkat, Principal, Holyrood School, Edmonton.

• 1993-94-Volunteer Language Arts Aide, Year 5, Holyrood Elementary School, Edmonton.

"You gave us the tools to be a better writer and a wonderful and exciting story to enjoy. You gave us your support, you shared your skills and you provided us with a model. A model not only of a good writer but also of one who is willing to take risks, willing to make mistakes to learn, and willing to be persistent to be the best that she can." D. Hinves, Year 5 teacher, Holyrood School, Edmonton.

 

2009 Vashti Communications