I grew up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. A truly beautiful place to live. When I was young, I lived with my older sister, younger brother, and parents. My parents told me to follow my dreams and always create something. For years, I created gardens of flowers and fruits. I wrote many stories and poems. I skied, danced, ran, swam, canoed and thoroughly enjoyed life.
In 1985, I graduated from McGill University in Montreal, with a Bachelor of Education degree. I became a Teacher. This was an amazing accomplishment considering the fact I have tremendous difficulty spelling. In 1995, I graduated from Concordia University in Montreal, with a Master of Arts degree in Educational Technology. I became a Computer Science Teacher, specializing in Educational Technology. Throughout my career, I have taught children, teenagers, adults and senior adults. I’ve always loved teaching, but I was still brewing a passion for writing and the dream of becoming an author never diminished.
A defining moment in my life occurred when my beloved Grandmother Sadye left me with phrases to live by and a spiritual muse. From that moment on, I knew I had to get the words out of my head, onto paper, and into the world.
Here’s something funny about me, I love paper. I know it sounds funny to love paper, but I do. Even with all the technological advances in the world, I prefer paper. I like the different qualities, weights, smells, and feel of paper. When I select a new journal, I study the paper which I will write on. My connection to writing is not simply about the words. It’s about the bond between me, the paper and words, via the ink.
Luckily, I have been able to marry my love for teaching with my love of writing. I am a creative writing instructor at Concordia University in the Centre for Continuing Education and at Le Centre Cummings. Also, I’m a columnist with The Suburban Newspaper. My column is called, Living in the Now. Often, I teach creative writing courses, give journaling & writer’s workshops and lecture on creative writing. Subscribe here to receive the Weekend Morning Newsletter to keep up to date with my latest articles, teaching schedule, and the writer’s workshops.
Recent exciting news, on April 29, 2025, I received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from Her Excellency The Right Honourable Mary Simon Govenor General of Canada. The official citation reads: Suzanne Reisler Litwin has dedicated more than 40 years to fundraising for Breakthrough T1D Canada. Through events like the Ride to Cure Diabetes and Walk to Cure Diabetes, as well as her own initiative, Suzie’s Sweethearts, she has raised nearly $500,000 towards ongoing research, treatments and patient support.
My home is always busy. It’s filled with family, animals, numerous plants and flowers, home cooking and baked goodies. It’s a great place to live and write. Even though I can write anywhere, I am most creative at home.
I would best describe myself as a passionate person. I get easily attached to anything creative. I love my family, my home and garden, and my friends. I adore skiing, running, gardening, baking, entertaining and of course writing. I always stop to smell the flowers, pay special attention to details, and listen closely to the birds and wind. My world does not move at the same pace of the world, it’s a lot slower.
That’s briefly me,
~ Suzanne
