Simone Garneau

The Mighty Pen

When I tell people I’m a writer (and by the way, it took me some time to feel I could claim the title for myself), they ask me what that’s like and how I do it. Every writer has a different process, but I thought I’d share a bit about my experience. How I came to be a writer, what I write about, and about my practice when it comes to writing. But I think there is one piece of advice all writers will give you: if you want to be a writer, you need to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and write. One word at a time.

And the other truism: writing is rewriting. You can’t be stifled by the blank page, paralyzed because you can’t find the perfect word or the best sentence to start. Just get the words down and then go back. There’s time to rework your piece. But you won’t have anything to edit if you don’t write the first draft.

  • Are Writing Contests Worth It?

    I sometimes wonder if entering a writing contest is worth the money. The entry fees can add up quickly and often I have nothing to show for it at the end. Over the years, I’ve learned to be more selective about the ones I enter because, at the end of the day, I like contests.…

  • To Study Creative Writing or Not?

    Many aspiring writers wonder if they should get an undergraduate degree or MFA in creative writing. I might not be the best person to answer this question because I don’t exactly have the benefit of both perspectives. If I could go back to university now, today at this age, I would study creative writing, but…