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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 3, 2007 - 5 Early inspiration Continued from page 4 and later Ombudsman. His parents founded the Ontario Black History Society in their basement. This group brought about February being recognized as Black History Month in Canada. Hill and his siblings grew up in contact with their father's Black relatives in the U.S., but distant from their mother's relatives. They also grew up in the predominantly white suburb of Don Mills, Ontario in the 1960s. Describing his writing as more of a personal journey than anything else, Hill discovered early in life his affinity for writing. He recalls that at age six he really wanted a kitten. His father refused him twice and on the third try, told his son to go write a letter outlining who would pay for and care for the cat. If the letter was convincing, Hill said his dad told him he'd give the request "due consideration." Hill got his cat. From then on Hill said, "Anytime I wanted anything, I wrote a letter. My father saved them all. That's how I became a writer. I learned I got what I wanted by writing." Hill dedicated his latest book to his oldest daughter, Genevieve Aminata, writing, "For my daughter and kindred spirit." Hill was formerly a reporter with The Globe and Mail and parliamentary correspondent for The Winnipeg Free Press, but at age 27, with no car, no house, no family responsibilities, but lots of money in the bank, packed it up to become the author he wanted to be. He moved to Spain -- "I've had a longstanding love affair with Spain," he said -- where he wrote and wrote until he felt ready to tackle his calling. "I feel sorry for young writers trying to break through," admitted Hill, noting it's a tough haul and you need a thick skin. Hill speaks French and Spanish. He has lived and worked across Canada, in Baltimore, and in Spain and France. As a volunteer with Canadian Crossroads International, he has traveled to the West African countries Niger, Cameroon and Mali. He has a B.A. in economics from Laval University in Quebec City and an M.A. in writing from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Hill, who often speaks at conferences, universities, schools and book clubs, moved to Oakville with his wife to raise their children, Genevieve, 16, Caroline, 14, and Andrew, 12. More recently, he relocated to Burlington upon remarrying where he lives with his wife, Miranda, her daughters Evie, 10 and Beatrice, 7, and his children. Hill will be giving a reading at Oakville Public Library tomorrow and at the Burlington Public Library Central Branch at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22. For information visit his website at www.lawrencehill.com or the CCAH at www.ccah.ca. Looking for Postmenopausal Women If you are: · A Healthy Postmenopausal Female · Between 18-71 years of age · Not regularly taking medication · A non-smoker · Able to attend visits as listed Sessions Available: Enter: 02 Mar 07 Exit: 04 Mar 07 or Enter: 09 Mar 07 Exit: 11 Mar 07 Plus 5 short return visits per session. You may qualify to participate in this research study, which may involve an investigational drug, and be compensated up to $72O upon study completion. Call: 905-629-5777 or Toll Free: 1-888-ARI-5544 E-Mail: volunteer@allied-research.com Regular hours of operation: Monday to Friday 9 am to 8 pm & Saturday 9 am to 1 pm 4520 Dixie Rd in Mississauga 2 blocks south of Eglinton Ave www.allied-research.com ARI is a contract research organization dedicated to the advancement of clinical research. We conduct research for both healthy volunteers and those with medical conditions.