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Creative writing wisdom from Dorothea Brande and Anne Lamott, summarized by creative writing coach Fiona Fenwick. Fiona details mindset over talent in writing establishing a disciplined writing routine, overcoming fear of failure and an impossible-to-fail mindset. Authenticity in writing, and getting beyond emotional challenges faced by writers. She looks at the concept of Brand's "writer's magic" and nurturing one's unique creative voice.

Nadia Ragbar explores themes of characters in liminal spaces, feeling adrift between life stages. After completing her novel as a 2013 Master's thesis and ten years of sporadic work, she made a solemn vow in 2023 to seriously pursue publication. Two days later, Nadia discovered Invisible Publishing's First Novel Prize, wrote intensively for a month, and won. She advises writers to balance holding firm to their vision while staying open to feedback, emphasizing the collaborati

The Writer's Spark Coaching Competition offers one writer a transformative prize package worth over $1,500: professional coaching with Fiona Fenwick, Brain.fm annual membership, editing sessions with Sheelagh Caygill, and a featured interview. Designed for writers working on substantial projects who need motivation, guidance, and support to reignite their creative journey. Entry requires answering two questions and a $6 CAD fee. Deadline: November 4, 2025.

Italian-Canadian author Rosanna M. Battigelli discusses how immigration, heritage, and voracious reading shaped her writing. She invested in her craft through courses, mentorship, and writing communities over decades. Her advice: read/write extensively, join groups, attend conferences, work with mentors, and never give up after rejections.

Award-winning author David Giuliano on fiction, healing, and finding home in Northern Ontario. He's transitioned from 30 years of creative nonfiction to fiction writing. His novels, including Bressani Prize winner The Undertaking of Billy Buffone, explore mysticism, healing, and redemption in small-town settings. He emphasizes writing for the joy of creation itself, suggesti writers to "love writing" and enjoy the process rather than focusing on outcomes and external valida

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.