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Carmen Borthwick is a freelance writer residing in Maple Ridge, B.C. Her passion for writing began very early, composing her first poem [Ode to a Pussycat] at the ripe young age of 5. When she entered school her favourite subjects were always those that involved written words, whether a spelling bee or a social studies report on Egypt she gave it 110%.
Carmen’s grade 9 English teacher contributed immensely to her desire to write, encouraging her to enter numerous prose and poem competitions. Placing first in many of them and having a few short stories published in teen magazines instilled confidence that she possessed a natural talent as a wordsmith.
In 1983 while residing in Penticton, B.C., Carmen began actively pursuing a career in writing having articles and interviews featured in local newspapers.
In that same year she was approached by a new magazine publication, Okanagan Seasons, to do assignments on a regular basis. Over the next 3 years she contributed featured articles on Home Improvement and Renovations; The Workshop; Valley Homes; Okanagan People and Okanagan Happenings.
She gradually became aware of how many talented writers lived in the area and with the help of her friend, Heather Glebe, began OWL [Okanagan Writers’ League]. The first meeting was a great success and Carmen charmed Tony Aspler, author of Vintage Canada, to be the group’s first guest speaker while he was in Penticton for his book launch.
Many of the group also contributed to ‘Writer’s of the Okanagan Mainline’, a compilation of 190 past and present writers from 36 communities in the Okanagan. Carmen was one of nine Associate Editors for the project and was honoured to be one of the featured writers.
When asked what her greatest passion in life is, however, the answer is always the same…her family. Happily married for twenty-three years, Carmen is proud mother to one daughter, Noelle and two sons, Richard and Nicholas.
Choosing to be a stay-at-home Mom when her sons were born was one of the best decisions she feels she ever made. According to the saying ‘home is where the heart is’, but for Carmen her home and family are her heart.
When the decision to stay home was made by Carmen and her husband, Pat, she made a promise to herself that when her youngest son graduated high school she would once again dedicate her efforts toward writing. Two weeks before Nicholas’ graduation this June everything started to fall in place, literally.
She attended a Roaring Women’s dinner and before her name tag was even pinned on was informed by Gail Crosby that a ghost writer was needed to do profiles. Then on May 25th Carmen signed a contract to have two books published in the next two years.
Coincidence, perhaps, but Carmen says, “I believe when you voice something to the Universe it’s always there, waiting for the appropriate moment to come back to you. It doesn’t matter what it is….if you voice it and believe strongly and confidently enough it will return positively.”
Even though she says her voice of years ago was not in the foreground of her conscience mind she knew it was the reason for what was happening. It dawned on her while stopped for a light in a school crossing zone…she watched as a young Mom walked her kids to school, thinking to herself how fortunate the woman was; how fortunate she had been to be afforded the opportunity [not luxury, there are many compromises attached to staying home with your kids] to spend their youth with them.
Her promise to herself was coming to fruition and she is confident she will succeed. “After all,” she adds, “I still want to set an example for my children and everyone I love that anything is possible if the desire is great enough, regardless of age or obstacles. Never stop dreaming, never let your inner child be idle; bring it out often to play and always believe to achieve.”
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