Hi, I’m Debby Gies. I’m a Canadian author, and I write my books under the pen name of D.G. Kaye. Welcome to my page and thanks for taking the time to visit!
You have landed here on my author website, which is also the place I love to blog about random occurrences and events about life. I also like to post articles about writing that I find informative and helpful for other writers, as well as share reviews on books I’ve read. Sharing is caring!
Who Am I?
Well, I can break it down for you (below), but as my blogging friends urge me to share, I wrote a Flash (non)Fiction description of my blog recently for a Flash (non) Fiction challenge. I was urged to share it. The prompt directed us to write a bit about who you are and what your blog represents:
Empathetic fashionista and shopper extraordinaire who loves to laugh. My passions are: obsessed with shoes, colorful sunsets, sandy beaches and margaritas on the rocks (in no particular order). My blog, is an eclectic mix of randomness, where you’ll find anything from writing tips to tales from the past, an occasional rant about injustice, relationship talk, travel tips, book reviews, author interviews, and sometimes dabbles in political poetry. It’s almost impossible for me to dwindle it down to just one niche, because it never is. I’m an eclectic memoirist and conversationalist who writes to empower by sharing slices of life.
Longer version:
I’m a nonfiction memoir writer who writes about life, matters of the heart and women’s issues. My intent is to inspire others by sharing my stories about events I encountered, and the lessons that come along with them.
I love to laugh, and self-medicate with a daily dose of humor. When I’m not writing intimate memoirs, you’ll find me writing with humor in some of my other works and blog posts.
When I was a young child, I was very observant about my surroundings. Growing up in a tumultuous family life; otherwise known as a broken home, kept me on guard about the on-and-off-going status of my parents’ relationship. I often wrote notes, and journaled about the dysfunction I grew up in. By age seven I was certain I was going to grow up to be a reporter.
Well life has a funny way of taking detours. Instead, I moved away from home at eighteen with a few meager belongings and a curiosity for life. I finished university and changed careers a few times always striving to work my way up to managerial positions. My drive to succeed at anything I put my mind to led me to having a very colorful and eventful life.
Ever the optimist, that is me. I’ve conquered quite a few battles in life; health and otherwise, and my refusal to accept the word ‘No’, or to use the words ‘I can’t’, keeps me on a positive path in life.
I love to tell stories that have lessons in them, and hope to empower others by sharing my own experiences.
In 2021, I lost the love of my life. When the grief overcame me, I found my only way to move forward was through my writing (a book will be coming) and communing with others who understand this journey. Through this and my own search for seeking comfort, I decided to begin podcasting – Grief, The Real Talk. This is a podcast for those of us who’ve worn the shoes, and for all those who wish to understand the journey of a griever. https://www.youtube.com/DebbyDGKayeGies
MY BOOKS:
Visit my books on Amazon
A bit about my books:
In keeping up with sharing my experiences in life, I thought about my turbulent voyage through menopause. No, it wasn’t fun. But in retrospect, I had to laugh when comparing symptoms with friends over some of the craziness of the side effects, so I decided to write Meno-What? A Memoir. The book is a short, humorous accounting of my passage through the hormonal injustice. In that book, I share some of the many symptoms I encountered, hoping to shed some light and humor on what women may expect or experience at that unpredictable time. I also offer up some of my helpful hints I found useful for relief.
Words We Carry focuses around women’s self-esteem issues. I talk about how and why we develop a low sense of self by using my own life experiences as examples. I share stories about how I recognized my own shortcomings, and overcame my insecurities, hoping to empower others.
Have Bags, Will Travel is a little travel memoir of tales and reminiscings from some of my more memorable trips, which all factor in the same ongoing issues for me – too much luggage!
My book, P.S. I Forgive You is Book II to Conflicted Hearts, although a stand-alone read, it’s a journey of seeking forgiveness for my narcissistic mother. As her death was approaching, I was forced by conflicting thoughts to reconcile my feelings about my mother and find a way to make peace within myself for my decision to remain estranged, yet find forgiveness for her to send her off with compassion.
My latest book – Twenty Years: After “I Do” is my journey of navigating marriage as the years progress, married to a senior, and the changes that come about through life, how I dealt with them, and sharing how to keep a marriage good and thriving.
I write raw and honest about my own experiences, hoping through my writing, that others can relate and find that there is always a choice to move from a negative space, and look for the positive.
Quotes:
“Live Laugh Love . . . And Don’t Forget to Breathe!”
“For every kindness, there should be kindness in return. Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”
When I’m not writing, I’m reading or quite possibly looking after some mundane thing in life. It’s also possible I may be on a secret getaway trip, as my passion is traveling.
My favorite reading genres are: biographies, memoirs, books about writing, historical fiction, spirituality, and natural health. I love to read stories about people who overcome adversity, victories, and redemption. I believe we have to keep learning—there is always room for improvement!
I love to cook and concoct new recipes (and I don’t believe in measuring cups), travel, and play poker (although I seldom get the chance), oh, and did I mention travel?
Please feel free to connect with me on social media and any of my author and blog pages at:
www.twitter.com/@pokercubster (Of course there’s a story to this name!)
www.google.com/+debbydgkayegies
You can also sign up right here (top, right sidebar) to receive my posts emailed to you!
© D.G. Kaye and dgkayewriter.com, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to D.G. Kaye and dgkayewriter.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Wow! You’ve actually done what I’ve been meaning to do for years – write a book about your travel adventures! I have so much to write about but I can’t motivate myself to get started……..
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Thank you. It’s never too late! 🙂
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Hi Debby, I’m also a Debbie (just the different spelling) and agree with you about the importance of About pages. I always go to About pages first to see what bloggers have to say for themselves. I look forward to reading more of your work. I found you through Hugh’s recent post. I wrote a post over the weekend about names and in particular our name 🙂 Always good to connect.
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Hi Debbie. Lovely to meet you. Thanks so much for visiting. I shall visit you, and definitely your post on our namesakes. 🙂
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Great to have you along Debby!
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Thanks! 🙂
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I followed you through Hugh Roberts (Hugh’s Views). You site intrigues me and I look forward to reading and following you. There are so many writers, including myself, that are writing memoire based books about troubled childhoods. Is the market getting saturated? My original manuscript was therapeutic, yet I wonder is there still a market for more stories like yours and mine? I invite you to visit my site and leave me some constructive comments. http:/www.chuckjacksonknowme.com
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Hi Chuck! Thanks so much for visiting. I’d love to visit your blog too! There is always a market for a good story. Ask yourself is the market getting saturated with romance, sci-fi, horror? There are millions of books and millions of readers. We have to tell our stories in a way that connects with a reader as well as leave a message with our stories. Yes, everyone has a story, but what is the story? How does it relate to someone else? Can everyone write a book, or a memoir and be able to bare their soul? Just some food for thought. 🙂
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Glad to have found you (thanks to Hugh), Debby! I’m looking forward to reading your posts and learning from a successful memoirist. 🙂
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Hi Liesbet. Thank you so much for dropping by. Looking forward to seeing you around. 🙂
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Just popped over for a peek from Sally’s 🙂 I just have to read the Meno- what book ! I could do with some hearty laughs about that era even though it’s now ancient history
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Lol, thanks so much Raili for dropping by. And thanks for your interest in my book. 🙂
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Your summary of your books and childhood background pulled me in. I feel bad about your mother’s being disconnected to you.
Your poignant words enticed me to think about how hard my life would have been had my Mom hadn’t made me her best friend. Debby, I am glad you were able to make peace with her, without making it seem like it was okay for her to have treated you in such a disrespectful and unloving way. Hugs, Robin xo
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Aw, thanks so much Robin for dropping by my about page. And thank you for recognizing my forgiveness without condoning, even though it was after her death. ❤ Hugs back my friend. xo
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I would subscribe to your site but I can’t find a place to do it! I am on an iPhone- IDK if that makes a difference.
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HI Katya. Thanks for visiting. I find it odd you can’t find a place to subscribe? I have a ‘sign up here’ box on every single page including this page on the right hand side bar near top of the page. And every post offers a sign up box before the article? Can you see it?
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Your website as it comes up on Safari on my iPhone 7 has no sign up anywhere. None of your sidebar widgets appear at all.
However the bottom of the mobile site has a button to go to the full (desktop) site, I can sign up there! You might want to check your settings or talk to your webmaster to make sure mobile users can see your side columns!
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Thank you so much Katya. That is very kind of you to let me know. I will have to have that checked, as I have an android mobile and the site is fine there? I’m glad that you did find a place where you can sign up! 🙂 🙂
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If you would like I will email a screenshot of the mobile site as it appears on Safari. : )
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I love your ‘about’ page and it’s refreshing and inspiring to read about someone who’s come through an emotionally troubling childhood and has not only not gone to ruin as a result, but has triumphed in success. I’m going to grab Conflicted Hearts later on. Also, your haircut and colour is beautiful!
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Aw, thanks a bunch Jessica. Thanks for taking the time to visit my about page. Great to connect and looking forward to reading more of your posts too. ❤
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Thanks for including my about page in your post Sal. Ever grateful! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks so much Esme. ❤
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I identified with so much here! I am a “new” creative writer exploring my recent impulse to write something other than psych notes and “to do” lists – no complaints, grateful I can and must write them! But, a certain creative writing muse has emerged (taken me hostage?) and I am fortunate enough to be able to listen during this “post menopausal insanity” phase in my life. I am looking forward to reading your Conflicted Hearts!
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Hi Bonnie. So nice to meet you. I’m glad to know we have a common thread together, erm, or maybe not, lol, if you know what I mean, if you have similar stories. 🙂
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I hear ya. Life is good. I’ve had my “share”, so to speak, but working through it (never-ending, layer by layer) has made me stronger. There are gifts in the darkness. Thank you!
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I love that line ‘there are gifts in the darkness’, so true. 🙂
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I think there’s a story or poem or something in this line. I felt it the moment I wrote it, just a few moments ago. Thank you again for spending time here “with me” on my new creative writing adventure.
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My pleasure Bonnie. Nice to connect. Sounds like we have much in common. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing on your blog too Sarah. It was an absolute blast having you over! 🙂 ❤
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Thank you for sharing your knowledge with other people!
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Thank you so much for visiting and leaving your lovely comment. 🙂
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You’re welcome, you deserve it!
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Hi Debbie, What a busy, literary bee you are! I’m ‘rich in years’ and have been scribbling ‘forever’ (eclectic stuff) so am fascinated by people and what makes them tick! Him indoors and I lived and worked in Toronto way back in 1957/8 (Canadian Reinsurance) and found it an enriching experience (especially the landladies,…) Love interacting with like-minded people, and admire your popularity! May I send you a humorous poem? Thanks for the ‘platform.’
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HI Joy! Thank you soooooo much for your kind words. Lovely to connect. And yes, by all means, please send me something humorous, LOL. 🙂
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Hi Debbie, Thank you. Here goes.. TO SKYPE OR NOT TO SKYPE THAT IS THE QUESTION
The first message was explicit:
(I imagined him cock-sure and sllck),
I giggled but quickly recovered.
got rid of him quick with a click.
I’m ‘spoken for’ and happily married,
and let’s face it, I’m ‘over the hill…’
but it took me back decades of years,
provided an egotistical thrill..
‘Twas as if I’d sent out a photo,
‘doctored’ and faintly erotic,
where my boobs were in place,
and an unwrinkled face
suggested a jolly good frolic!
Dear reader, I’m totally innocent,
except for writing on line;
don’t wear fancy drawers,
(prefer metaphors),
although the thought was sublime.
These days my pleasures are simple:
coffee on patio, pastry snack,
hot chocolate at night,
a book, and to ‘write,’
not gymnastics in bed on my back.
What triggered this poem you may wonder,
I’ll tell you the truth – it’s a fact,
in twenty-four hours,
I was suddenly ‘showered,’
by four ‘Generals’ a ‘Sir’ and a ‘hack.’
Of course, most of the ‘others’
intentions were pure, white as snow,
but it’s safe to be wary
and quite necessary
for how is a woman to know?
Joy Lennick (Copyright)
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Lol, brilliant Joy! I love it! And just to let you know, you are not alone with those generals! What is going on in the water girl! 🙂 😉
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Thanks so much for adding and having me Esme. 🙂 x
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Hi Debby,
I’ve seen you on some of my other friends’ sites, so I popped over to visit you. Your About is honest, vulnerable, and intriguing, and based on first glances, it looks like you have overcome many obstacles in life. You exude positivity, which is contagious. I look forward to reading more. 🙂
~Lauren
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Thank you so much for visiting Lauren and for your lovely compliment. I look forward to seeing more of you around. 🙂
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Thank you so much Sal!!!!!!! ❤ xxx
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What an honor Chuck, thank you so much for sharing me here. ❤ xx
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Thank you my Lovely Sal for sharing my interview at Rob’s ❤
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Wow! I’m so glad I stopped in here. We have a lot in common (not just our names with different spellings): Dysfunctional childhood (my father was an alcoholic), narcissistic mother, left home at 18, living in Ontario, etc. 🙂
I’ll be back to explore more!
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Wow Debbie, what are the odds? So nice to connect! 🙂
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Hi Debby,
Nice website you have, I enjoyed visiting it and I have a new friend, YOU. I am glad we connected.
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Hi Valentina! Thank you so much. I’m so glad we connected through Sally. ❤
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Sally, you are Star!!!! ❤ xxx
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You spoil me Sal! ❤
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Debby, just found your blog via the interview you have done with Liesbet. Such a great site you have here and you have published some interesting books. I always prefer memoirs to fiction, so I will be delving into your published work. I am glad to have found you.
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Hello Gilda. Thank you so much for your lovely comment, and your interest in my books. And thank you for visiting my interview with the talented traveler Liesbet! 🙂
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Hi Judy. Thanks so much for stopping by. And so glad you tried and enjoyed the biscotti 🙂
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