Pender Mackie lives in Canada though she spent her childhood years in England.
An imaginative child, Pender wasn’t a willing student. Her father — deciding some incentive was needed — promised her a pony as soon as she could read. Properly motivated, Pender picked up a book and discovered the joys of fiction. Though her infatuation with ponies didn’t last, she still loves a good story.
A technical writer for almost twenty years, Pender spends her daily commute making up characters, romantic plots, and daydreaming.
Welcome to the blog Pender. On with the questions.
1. If someone was coming to the Canada on vacation, tell them one place they MUST visit (can be as large as the Rocky Mountains, or as specific as a unique museum)?
Off the top of my head, I’d have to say Banff, Alberta. It’s got everything; the Rocky Mountains, emerald green glacial lakes, the beautiful old Banff Springs Hotel, wildlife, you name it. Banff National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
2. Can you ice skate? Do you understand the rules of hockey and have a favourite team? (please don’t be the Maple Leafs)
Technically I can skate but I can’t stop too well. My family is crazy for hockey and our town has a local team that did really well last year. It took me a while, but I finally understand the offside rule. Since I live in BC, I have to say the Canucks are my favourite hockey team, though we’ve had some disappointments. I try not to get too invested in them.
3. Do you think there is a quintessential Canadian food? What would you serve guests who demand some real Canadian food?
Maple syrup. I’ve actually been to the sugar bush and seen them tap the trees. Most people eat maple syrup on pancakes, but I’ve had it served up with sweet potato fries. It’s pretty good that way. Poutine’s great too. What’s not to love about French fries, cheese curds and gravy?
4. How many provinces/territories have you visited? Have you ever been to the arctic?
Four I think: Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. I never been to the Arctic but I’ve always wanted to go to the Yukon. Maybe go dog sledding.
5. What was your first published story?
Scent of Attraction, which came out in April last year. It’s about Shawn, a very shy man who works at a cologne counter. He’s attracted to one of his customers. I’m a bit of an introvert myself so it was easy to put myself in poor Shawn’s shoes.
6. Have you ever written a story set in Canada? Which one?
I’ve got a couple of works in progress that are both set in Vancouver though I’m currently working on a story set in Las Vegas.
7. Who is your favourite Canadian actor or actress?
Probably William Shatner. He cracks me up.
8. Who is your favourite Canadian musical artist?
It’s hard to name just one. I prefer indie bands over pop stars. A few of my favourite Canadian bands are Metric, The Stars, Said the Whale and Broken Social Scene.
9. If you could be a Canadian animal shifter, what would you be?
Hmm. If I’m limited to Canadian animals there’s not as much choice. I’m a bit like a Wolverine before I get my morning coffee, but I’d rather be a Bobcat. They have awesome vision and hearing, can climb trees (something I’m no longer very good at) and can run up to 50 kph. (That’s 30 mph for our Imperial friends.)
10. Winter – yay or nay? Discuss. 
Um, yay. I live in the Southern Interior of BC, which is actually semi-arid. Winters are usually mild and dry but if I want to frolic in the snow, I can pop up to one of the nearby ski hills. I did live in Ontario for a number of years, but the snowy winter was just too long.
11. What’s the best thing about being Canadian?
There’s a lot of great things about being Canadian: our multiculturalism, geographic diversity, hockey. But one of the best is the legal rights of LGBT Canadians. Canada has anti-discrimination laws in place, same-sex marriage and adoption and gays have been serving openly in the military since 1982. That makes me proud to be a Canadian.
Thanks so much for joining us Pender. I agree, Canada’s not perfect but our position on equal rights for all is something to be proud of. You can find Pender on the web at the following locations:
Blog: http://pendermackie.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pender-Mackie-Author/164033403655486
Twitter: @pendermackie
Email: pendermackie@yahoo.com
Wow, that photo of Banff is gorgeous!
I love William Shatner. He’s definitely gotten better (not better looking LOL) with age. I follow him on Twitter.
However I did NOT pay $75 to get his autograph at a recent comic-con here in town. Nooooo. I don’t love him that much.
I am so looking forward to being in Banff in a week or so. We are driving from Vancouver to Calgary so will go right through and my cousin we are staying with lives a little over an hour away, so we’ll have a chance to go back and stay. YEARS ago there was a conference in Banff at that hotel in the picture, the Banff Springs. Somehow three of us convinced our bosses to let us go. (Those were the days.) It was in early May, which in the Rockies means there may be snow and the first night it was that kind of Christmas snow, and they have a super heated outdoor pool so we were in the pool with the snow falling down on us. It was the coolest thing ever. Very expensive to stay there though. But fun. Apparently they have a ghost. Oooooh.
Just had to drop in and say hi, Pender!
I’ve always had the impression BC is one of the all-around nicest provinces (in terms of weather, scenery, and lack of crowds). Do you think Alberta tops it? I’d love to visit Whitehorse and the Atlantic Seaboard provinces, too. (Yup, I’ve become a country girl.
)
Wow, Banff looks gorgeous! Another place to add to my ‘will visit one day’ list
.
Canada is just so frakking pretty
I’m jealous 
Hi, Tam, thanks for having me. It was fun answering your questions. Hope you get to enjoy time in Banff while on your trip.
Chris is right. That picture of Banff is amazing. I’ve been several times but never got to stay at the Banff Springs Hotel. Maybe one day.
@K.Z. I’ve spent lots of time in Alberta — the drinking age is 18 so when I was younger we used to sneak across the provincial border for a weekend of drinking. I have to say though, IMO BC trumps Alberta. Alberta is a prairie province so it’s pretty flat but it’s beautiful in it’s own way. I’m just used to the mountains.