In my twenties, all I wanted was a literary agent, a book deal, and to live in a condo where I could see the CN Tower. Now, in my mid-thirties all I want is a literary agent, a book deal, and to live in a quieter, less crowded place where the hustle has a lot less bustle. It’s a thought that I find myself having more often, especially since visiting PEI.

After spending four glorious, sun and natured filled days in Prince Edward Island where we explored Charlottetown, Stratford, North Rustico and Montague, I looked at my husband with an innocent smile and told him that we needed to move there immediately. His response was simply, You say that every time we go away.

True enough, but this time it felt a bit different. I felt different. Being so close to the water that I could taste the salt with every inhale did something to my nervous system. The quiet streets and kind people soothed me. It couldn’t just be that we were on vacation because I’ve had my fair share of panic attacks while traveling. But I digress…

During our trip, we visited the Anne of Green Gables Museum (a book that I read for the first time in preparation for this trip), climbed to the top of Point Prim Lighthouse, and ate the freshest seafood anyone could hope to have.

We stumbled on a gallery for Phoebe Gilman, author of The Balloon Tree, Something from Nothing, and Jillian Jiggs. There I met the author’s daughter of who told stories of her childhood and how she posed for the artwork for The Balloon Tree. The princess in the story was based on her! I’ll admit that I got a little teary-eyed, The Balloon Tree was my favourite book growing up and it made me want to be a writer (and a princess).

After visiting the Anne of Green Gables Museum, I bought the biography of Lucy Maud Montgomery and as I lugged it around the island, reading bits and pieces whenever I could, I felt I had found a kindred spirit.

“The impulse to shape narratives about herself and her environment provided enormous comfort to this sensitive and needy child. It gave her a sense of having some control over her own environment and destiny.” (Page 41 of Lucy Maud Montgomery – The Gift of Wings)

Everywhere I turned on this trip I saw something that had to do with Anne Shirley, Maud Montgomery, or a writer I admired. It reminded me that words can have an everlasting effect on people, that books can change the trajectory of someone’s life. It reminded me to keep going, continue querying, and to collect rejections letters with a smile until they stop coming altogether.

xo Vanessa