My first year after high school was spent in the Philippines. Upon my return to Canada, I started working on the trade floor of a stock exchange. My salaried background has been varied, from being in the cage at a brokerage firm to working at a weekly newspaper, to handling the accounting for the library of a provincial professional organization for physicians. I've been playing drums since 1984, have recorded albums and played live extensively, though my first love has always been with words. I've done much creative writing for my own enjoyment, both prose and poetry (some set to music), but my skill as a business writer, with professional letters, speeches or presentations, has been honed through my work experience.