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The writing process of debut novelist Aamir Hussain. As author Aamir Hussain prepares to celebrate the launch of his debut novel Under the Full and Crescent Moon in September 2025, he shares his writing process, which focuses on a discipline due to his busy schedule. He's a "plotter," and outlines extensively. His path to publication began with a chance encounter at a literary festival. Aamir views generative AI as a threat to creativity, advocating for the "harder path" of

In Conor Mc Donnell On process and practice: The evolving work of a writer, Conor shares his evolution as a writer, shaped by courses, retreats, and constant reading. He holds a strong stance against gen AI, viewing it as a threat to creativity and human decision-making, citing its potential for error and its "triad of laziness, 'efficiencies,' and 'what-the-hell' planning." He shares his approach to writing, which involves editing as he writes and working on multiple project

In Sadiqa de Meijer on language, place, and the prism of consciousness, the author discusses how her writing is shaped by her experiences as an immigrant and her background in the sciences. She emphasizes the importance of reading and her writing community in her evolution as a writer. De Meijer also shares her firm stance on generative AI, expressing concern that it could subtract from the wider human experience.

In a wide-ranging interview, C. J. Lavigne discusses her writing influences, from E. B. White to contemporary speculative fiction. She identifies as a plotter who relies on outlines to find her way through a novel and emphasizes the importance of a writer's unique voice. Lavigne also takes a firm stance against generative AI, calling it an "environmentally ruinous plagiarism machine" that devalues human work.

Lynn Tait on poetry as an evolving craft. Lynn's writing is heavily influenced by a difficult childhood and a family tragedy, which shaped her use of figurative language and her focus on themes of grief and loss. Her style has evolved over 50 years through a combination of reading, writing groups, and workshops. She is now deliberately shifting away from writing about toxic relationships and is focusing on themes of change and human connection.

In this question and answer interview with author Peter Darbyshire, he explores his creative process. He discusses his shift from a "pantser" to a "plotter," embracing a more structured approach to writing while still leaving room for creative spontaneity. Peter also shares his writing philosophy, focusing on the importance of completing a first draft, creating "unhinged" and unpredictable work, and remembering that a writer's unique voice matters.

Author Brad Smith's writing is shaped by his past as a farm worker, bartender, roofer, and more, which informs his focus on blue-collar characters. Brad Smith on blue-collar characters: his work often features underdogs, with protagonists who may or may not succeed. Brad uses a website and social media to connect with readers. He plots his novels but leaves room for spontaneity and surprise. He advises aspiring writers to read a lot to learn the craft.

Lorne Daniel is a poet who finds clarity through life and place. His style prioritizes clarity and narrative, influenced by life experiences and mentors like Al Purdy. Their work explores themes of place, time, and the human condition, and his latest collection is What is Broken Binds Us. Lorne views the creative process is one of discovery, with free-flowing first drafts followed by editing. Lorne engages with social media to build community but are selective about which pla

Professor Gregory Betts sees writing as a communal and social act, a belief shaped by his Nova Scotian roots and a musical subculture. He encourages writers to create communities and to support each other. Regarding generative AI, Betts believes it will transform literature as profoundly as photography transformed visual art, forcing human writers to find new creative territories beyond what a machine can produce.

Poet Julia Webb discusses the influences on her writing, which include a childhood spent reading to escape a "noisy and dysfunctional family," her rural UK upbringing, and the profound losses of loved ones. Webb, a self-described "life-long learner," emphasizes the importance of reading widely and seeking critique to improve her craft. She notes that her work often explores recurring themes like family dynamics, girlhood, loss, and grief.

Neurodivergent SFF author Melanie Marttila says a 2021 autism diagnosis helped her reclaim her authentic voice and take creative risks. She was influenced by a supportive undergraduate community and a graduate school advisor who disparaged her "fantastical nonsense." Melanie identifies as a plantser, combining plotting and pantsing for her long-form fiction. She finds AI to be "a menace, but selectively useful," due to ethical and environmental concerns, but says it's useful

Author and writing coach Fiona Fenwick reflects on writing with warmth and authenticity, aiming to build real connections with readers. Her work encourages embracing one's true self in a world overwhelmed by self-help noise. She enjoys stories of personal journeys and values originality in creative expression, even in the age of AI—highlighting its potential and pitfalls for writers navigating a rapidly changing landscape. Fiona wrote the nonfiction Stand Out and Step Up in 2