Toni Graeme

Born in Vancouver, BC, I grew up there, in North Vancouver and Victoria. Later I lived in Montreal, Toronto and England and resettled in Vancouver. I spent a decade in Canada's northland - in Yellowknife, NWT and then returned to Victoria in 1987. Travel and moving seem to be a mainstay in my life.

I took journalism in high school, my first job was in the editorial room of a daily newspaper, I have always loved writing. I published a book of short stories written by women who lived in the north and also a biography of my great grandfather who was called 'The Father of Canadian Art'. I learned how to be a successful marketer and distributor of books. Now I have a new one out on how to be a Successful Writer. I plan to do one for writers on marketing.

I have travelled to at least 13 countries, stayed for two months or longer in most of them and volunteered in some. I plan to do a book on travelling. I usually travel alone, most recently for 18 months, completed in March 2014. I have a passion for gardening, love walking and don't mind housework :) I have a fabulous family, seven daughters, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, none of whom I see often enough.

I avoid carbs that put weight on me, adore dark chocolate, fair trade coffee from Central or South America, fruits, veggies, chicken and prawns, and a glass of red wine sometimes :)

I try to live by 'Be the change you want to see" by Gandhi.

I am a Vipassana meditator which has helped me a lot with anxiety and stress and to be able to see and accept life as it really is, not the way I wish it would be.