Maud's mother died of tuberculosis before she turned two. Her father travelled to Saskatchewan shortly after her mother's death to look for work. Maud stayed with her maternal grandparents in PEI. Maud missed her mother terribly.
Maud's grandparents were very strict. They insisted she always be quiet and act like a proper lady. She was forbidden to attend parties and was not allowed to invite friends to her home.
Maud's grandparents ran the village post office. People often dropped by in the evening to pick up their mail. They often shared stories with Maud's grandfather. Maud remembered these stories her entire life.
Maud started school in 1881. Often she would be found writing poems instead of concentrating on her studies. The students formed a story club. Their stories had tragic plots and usually ended with everyone dying. At age ten, Maud wrote, "My Graves," which was rediscovered in "Anne of the Island." Because Maud's grandparents lived in such a remote area, there were no children for Maud to play with. She spent her days reading, writing and dreaming.
At age 15, Maud travelled with her paternal grandfather to visit her father in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Her father had remarried by this time and though they remained close, Maud and her stepmother didn't see eye-to-eye.
Just before Maud's 16th birthday, she wrote the poem, "On Cape Leforce." She submitted the poem to "The Daily Patriot," in Charlottetown, PEI. Weeks passed with no word on her submission. Then, her father brought home a copy of the "Patriot." Maude discovered that the paper had published her poem. It was her first success and she was delighted.
Maud began to write more poetry and submit it to various publications. These were published, along with an essay. She won a writing contest sponsored by a Montreal newspaper. Though she wasn't being paid for her work, Maud was on her way to becoming a writer.
Maud was homesick for her Island. Although she dreaded leaving her father and friends, Maud returned to PEI to live with her grandparents. Maud hoped her grandfather would pay her tuition to college. He refused. Maud taught piano from the home and continued with her writing.
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