What is a Writer?
I reached a point a few years ago where I became comfortable declaring my status as a writer. I think it was a combination of publishing credits, distinctions from award judges, and getting past my own self-consciousness. Everyone has a different opinion on what gets you “writer” status, but for me it’s simply the act of writing. I love the craft, and I engage with words for the sheer joy of it. Even if I’m never published again, I’ll keep writing, keep submitting, and keep supporting my friends and colleagues in the business. So I guess I’m a writer for life.
If you want to get technical and specific, I’m primarily a science fiction and fantasy writer. I’ve been published in magazines and anthologies (see my CV for specifics) and have dabbled in things like RPGAs, chapbooks and other forms of writing. I’m shopping around my third novel manuscript, and I have a good feeling that this is the one that will break me into the market – authors like Sanderson and Rothfuss wrote something like a dozen manuscripts each before they were published, so I think I’m in good form.
Other than writing, I’m also a high school teacher in Ottawa, Ontario, with a background in History, Social Studies and English. I don’t talk about it much here, but occasionally I feel compelled to reflect on my day job, which keeps me busy and entertained so much that I’m probably a teacher for life, too.
Me with Stuart Ross (left) and Michael e. Casteels (center) at the Ottawa Small Press Book Fair
At WFC 2016 w/ Can-Con peeps Marie Bilodeau, Derek Kunsken and Nicole Lavigne
