On Writing

Matthew Del Papa, co-eiditor of SuperCanucks, an anthology exploring superheroes in Canada’s overlowoked smaller townsh, shares how his experience with a disability shapes his focus on community on community and collaborative projects. He offers advice on creative writing, telling would-be writers "Don't wait to begin if you want to write." He details his daily workman-like routine and his views on the negative impact of generative AI on creative fields

Certified counsellor and writer Eric Fisher discusses how clinical mental health work and a nomadic life shape his writing style, why he shifts from screenplays to books as a "plotter," and how to move past writer’s block. He discusses writing about mental wellness, shares advice on accepting creative critique, and warns against the threat generative AI poses to authentic voice, human creativity, and reader trust in the mental wellness and self-help genres.

In this interview, author Alex Boyd discusses his new essay collection, Take This for the Pain. Inspired by George Orwell’s clear, accessible style, Boyd reflects on his diverse reading habits—championing the value of poetry and story collections over longer forms. He offers candid advice for emerging writers, urging them to avoid social media early on to protect their focus. Boyd also addresses the risks of generative AI relying on lazy generalizations rather than deep readi

Bestselling author and activist Maude Barlow is author of Earth for Sale: The Fight to Stop The Last Plunder of the Planet. From the near-deletion of her first manuscript to publishing 21 books, Maude reveals how she tackles complex environmental and social justice issues by grounding them in accessible, human storytelling. Offering invaluable advice for aspiring writers, she discusses overcoming perfectionism and the power of trusting the editing process.

This guide lists creative writing organizations in many English speaking countries taking a strict stance against the use of artificial intelligence by publishers. Find out the regional and national organzations creative writers can join and support. These groups actively lobbying for creator rights, implementing protective model contract clauses, and defending original human storytelling worldwide. Learn exactly how you can join these guilds to protect your creativity and li

Writer Beth Mims on the craft of writing. She shares how a rural childhood, faith, and teaching shaped her style, and how she overcame harsh college critique to publish her book, Wrapped in Grace. Mims discusses her spontaneous editing process. She also explains why connecting with other authors is vital to overcoming isolation. Ideal for writers seeking inspiration on perseverance and community. Writing can be solitary, so get involved with other writers

In this author interview Alison McBain shares writing shaped by roots, travel, and studies. She discusses how her diverse life experiences shape her style, her expansive reading habits, and how she balances pantsing short fiction with plotting novels. McBain also offers candid advice for aspiring writers drowning in industry noise and highlights her defiant "Author Versus AI" project, where she aims to write 52 books in a single year with zero AI tools.

This interview explores Jaime Forsythe’s poetic craft and professional journey. She discusses how reading widely and engaging in workshops have shaped her writing style, and shares how mentorship from Stuart Ross led to her first published collection. Forsythe addresses contemporary writing challenges, expressing skepticism toward generative AI due to ethical and environmental concerns, and highlights her passion for editing, noting that rewriting is the most rewarding part o

In this interview, writer, poet, and activist Crystal AJ Smith shares insights into her creative process and advocacy. As a proud mother rooted in Haisla, Ts’ymsen, and Heiltsuk cultures, she uses her writing to help end stereotypes about Indigenous people by highlighting human rights issues and historical harms. A dedicated "pantser," Smith relies on inspiration to strike in the moment, editing only after her thoughts are on paper. She encourages aspiring writers to persist

Author Jennifer LoveGrove discusses her latest poetry collection, The Tinder Sonnets, the evolution of her writing, and paying attention to form. She explores her evolving relationship with poetic form, enduring feminist themes, and the challenges of the digital age. Jennifer also contrasts her creative processes across genres, detailing her shift from rigid outlines to learning to trust intuition in fiction writing, while relying on the subconscious to shape her poetry.

In this interview, Governor General’s Award winner Richard Harrison explores the profound connection between language and life. He reflects on his father’s recitations, noting how he learned that poetry is both high art and intimate confession. Harrison discusses his evolution as a poet, the importance of reading, and his concerns regarding generative AI’s impact on human consciousness. Finally, he describes rewriting as an adventurous journey of discovery rather than a mere

A.M. Mawhiney explores the evolution of her creative writing style, transitioning from academia into fiction. Academic habits and teaching in French initially created an 'objective distance' in her prose, requiring deep revision to achieve immersion. Now a dedicated 'pantser,' she relies on intuition and a multi-stage editing process. By engaging with online communities and beta readers, the author has developed an authentic style that balances social themes with fluid storyt

This interview with Jun-long Lee explores the deep intersections of memory, landscape, and the poetic craft. Lee discusses how personal history and sensory fragments coalesce into the chimeric inner country of memory, driving a writing style that is inherently "inward." The conversation traverses recurring themes of botanical decay and ruination, Lee’s preference for poetry disguised as prose, and a unique editing philosophy that likens the evolution of a manuscript to a vast

In this review, author Ken Wilson explores Kasia Van Schaik’s Women Among Monuments, which probes the "historical resistance to recognizing women’s achievements." Beginning with a rejected statue in Italy, Wilson tracks Van Schaik’s move from literal monuments to the "inner flint of artistic permission." He praises her "braided essays" for making abstract patriarchal barriers permeable, noting that even those outside marginalized groups will find their own struggles for space

Author Jaclyn Desforges explains why cross-training is essential for creative writers. She discusses her shift from "top-down" planning to a subconscious, image-led process in her short stories. Desforges shares her growth in overcoming the need for immediate perfection, now embracing a "messy" first draft for her novel. She says AI is an invitation to creative writers to be weirder, more yourself, and more human in your writing.