Hi, and thanks for stopping by.

I'm a TAG teacher currently splitting my time between Montreal, Canada (summer) and Florida's Treasure Coast (school year). I'm a history geek, lingua-nerd (waves bits of parchment as proof), foodie and amateur thespian who loves to play with the Muses. I'm also mom to two grown boys, and the adoptive mom/factotum of three dogs and two cats of indeterminate pedigree, hence the handle "Mutts and Moggies".

I enjoy feedback, and am always open to constructive criticism and corrections (NOT open to flamers and haters, though). I consider the stories I post as the first presentable drafts, and try not to pay too much attention to my inner censor. The plan is always to go back after the whole thing is done and make the necessary changes and corrections. So, please don't feel offended if you don't see your suggestions right away.

Interests:

Reading, writing, history, languages, travel, food, music, art, dance, theatre, SCA (yes, I am a dork!)

Likes:

Writers: Fiction - Shakespeare, Austen, Atwood, Tolkien, Sharon Kay Penman, Neil Gaiman, Bernard Cornwell, John LeCarre, Frederick Forsythe. I also read a LOT of children's and young adult fiction.

Non-fiction writers: Marcus Aurelius, David Christian, Stephen Runciman, Barry Cunliffe, Bill Bryson.

Music: all over the place... classical, jazz, world music, classic rock, folk. Current faves: Loreena McKennitt, Dave Matthews Band, Adele, Sarah Bareilles, Florence and the Machine, Vijay Iyer, Josh Groban, Joni Mitchell.

TV: Covert Affairs, Spooks (MI5), Alias, Nikita, Mission Impossible (the classic tv series), Sharpe, The Prisoner. Do we detect a recurring theme here?

Favorite movies: Always changing, but for today...The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Prince of Persia, Brannagh's Henry V, Kingdom of Heaven, Mongol, Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet, Troy, Some Like it Hot, Metropolis, anything by Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton.

Dislikes:

Long, rambling authors' notes. Same goes for apologetic author's notes. If you don't think your work is worth posting... don't post. If you do post, then take pride in your work and be open to constructive criticism.

Coercion: If you're holding your fic hostage for reviews, forget it. I won't review. I won't even read it.

AU and OOC fics where the characters bear little or no resemblance to the canon. This includes slash when the characters weren't originally written as gay. If you're going to stray so far from the canon that the characters, plot and setting are unrecognizable, why not make a few more changes and post an original piece instead.

Sloppy spelling and grammar: We all make typos, but if you know or even suspect that your spelling or grammar are faulty, have someone proof-read your work. Don't let the errors detract from the wonderfulness of your story.

Excessive angst. A little goes a long way.

Gratuitous sex and violence: They have to move the plot forward, not replace the plot or act as a filler.

Works in Progress: I'm a slow writer (sorry 'bout that) but, for what it's worth, I always finish what I start.

The War at Home - While investigating the death of an old friend, Auggie uncovers a scheme that could harm his friends, and destroy the Agency. Chapter 20 (really 19) is now up!

In the works: These stories may or may not ever see the light of day -

When We Were Young - (pre-writing) - Drama/suspense/hurt-comfort. My idea of what may have happened in Tikrit after the ambush. Prequel to The War at Home. Was canon before ep. 3.15.

For King and Country - (pre-pre-writing) - AU historical fiction - The DPD transposed to Plantagenet England. Loosely based on true historical events.

Body and Soul - a series of one-shots inspired by jazz classics. Some already written. Some buzzing 'round in my head.