What has Pauline Shen been up to? What can we expect to see from her next?
Season Summary: Autumn 2025
ScrawlPlace published my Camino story “Et Suseia.”
My nonfiction article “Balancing Writing Projects” is published in print with BlankSpacesMagazine’s December 2025 issue.
Updates & Work in Progress: Winter 2025-26
I have a forthcoming release with Blank Spaces Magazine‘s March 2026 issue. More details soon.
Check out my blog in case you missed these awesome interviews. I am delighted to partner with editors, writers, and publicists to bring you an insider scoop on what’s going on in the industry. Many more exciting interviews yet to come!
SUBMISSION CALL: I’m looking for guest bloggers to contribute articles on the topic of writing. Yes, this is a paid publication opportunity. Read the details and submit your work here.
What I’m Reading: Winter 2025-26
I read Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants. It is my first experience with this story as I had never read it nor seen the film adaptation. A heart-wrenching yet beautiful page-turner.
I also read Jack Stilborn’s The Tyranny of Good Intentions. Have you seen my blog interview with this author? Check it out!
And for the winter, I’m already part way through a good ‘ol binge read of Jane Austen’s novels.
And that’s it. Enjoy winter. Start the conversation by commenting below. Stay tuned for my next blog post. Wanna get it in your email inbox? Subscribe to stay informed of my newest articles, interviews, updates, and more.
Cover Image: Photo by Ameruverse Digital Marketing Media on Pexels.com
In this highly energized post, we’ll be learning a lot from writer, editor, and publicist Dani Arieli. She tells us about her passion for poetic language, describes her current work in progress, and offers heartfelt advice for new writers.
Check out her author bio:
Photo Credit: Nieram Arieli
Dani Arieli is a poet and author, Pushcart Prize nominee, and lover of weird, dark, and archaic literature. She has creative works featured in 7th-Circle Pyrite, Beyond Words, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, and more. She is the marketing and publicity specialist for At Bay Press, and is currently working toward her Honours Bachelor of Creative Writing and Publishing degree at Sheridan College.
During most writing sessions, her black cat sits atop her lap while she fervently taps away at her keyboard; she very much enjoys having a writing partner who can meow.
Dani, a Pushcart Prize nomination is a big deal—congrats! How did you process the nomination news and has this changed how you view your own writing?
First of all, thank you for the kind words of praise! When I received the E-mail detailing my nomination, I can tell you right now—I practically froze. I was in sheer disbelief, as the story which had been nominated, Across the Marsh, was my second-ever short-story publication, as well as my first-ever online publication. Of course, with this nomination, came the rather terse realisation that this is now the bar. So, with my current W-i-Ps—be it short-story or manuscript—I find myself constantly, and rather erratically, poring over my writing as I convince myself this, too, is Pushcart-worthy… And hopefully, they are! But, the pessimist in me says otherwise. All I know is that my life’s purpose feels tied to usurping this bar.
At what point did you realize you had a passion for poetic language? In what ways did your coursework at Sheridan College help you move forward to pursue writing as a career? What additional supports did you have along the way?
Two words: My professor. I entered into my first-ever Poetry class/seminar in my early years at Sheridan College, and I knew nothing about the art of poetry. When I first presented my ‘poem’ to my professor, I was ready to listen to some minor substantive edits regarding syntax and word choice; but when my professor began to point out the facets of my poem that were, really, there without rhyme or reason (why did you choose to centre your text? why is this section in italics? is ‘purple’ truly the only way you can describe this object?), it became quickly apparent that my poem was simply… words. These selections from the English language did not occupy a rigorous or intended place within the poem! So, I began to think about ways to describe certain feelings, thoughts, ideas, people, places, struggles, desires, fears, depravities—until the abstract and subjective nature of my musings began to spread across the page like blood from a slick lesion. Now, and especially in my manuscript, I find myself resorting to poetic language when describing exposition; and, speaking of my manuscript—as I am writing from the depraved and infamous mind of France’s notorious sadist, the Marquis de Sade—poetic language seems only fitting for such mad musings. There is a haunting beauty in the poetic language, and my professor helped me realise this during that single class at Sheridan.
Just to be clear, this is not a food blog. It’s a bonus post. I am sharing one of my tried-and-true recipes as a thank you for reading my blog. That is all.
A neighbour friend gifted us some maple syrup one Christmas, and I got to work searching for interesting ways to use it in my baking. This recipe is a direct result of that, and I make it year-round. It goes over surprisingly well in the summer (Christmas in July, anyone?), but it is especially popular for December gatherings. Baking these gingerbread cookies will fill your house with that classic warm & cozy scent.
In this post, we’ll be hearing from Canadian author Jack Stilborn. Check out his bio:
Jack Stilborn lives in Ottawa, Canada, and writes fiction and short stories. The Tyranny of Good Intentions, his debut novel about love, death and a great deal of politics on a condominium board, is now available from Chicken House Press.
Photo Credit: South March Studio, Kanata, ON
He showed early promise with a comic story that made a cousin laugh so hard she threw up. He was then deflected by studies (double major in political science and English literature at the University of Saskatchewan; politics and philosophy B.A. at Oxford University; PhD. with dissertation on the thought of Alexis de Tocqueville at Western University). After that came life as a policy research analyst (Parliament), intergovernmental affairs advisor (Ontario government) and public servant (Ottawa). He also enjoys cycling, kayaking and (recently) cold water swimming; family life (Alex, Jessica, Christine and partner Linda); participating on volunteer boards and lots of reading, especially literary fiction and history.
Jack, tell us how the concept for your debut novel The Tyranny of Good Intentions came about. What helped propel you forward to finish the manuscript?
I have served on several condo boards of directors, as well as other volunteer boards. I started doing this while still working on my long-term day job as a research analyst working for Parliament (federalism and parliamentary governance issues). At a certain point, the light went on and I realized how much of national political life is captured in relations and behavior on these smaller boards. I was propelled forward because writing was a pleasure for me, perhaps an escape. Also by curiosity about how Andrew, the protagonist, would deal with challenges that are part of democratic citizenship.
The novel’s protagonist, Andrew Walmer, suddenly finds himself roped into a microcosm of our own societal landscape. What difficulties did you experience while constructing the plot? Did you have doubts while writing the draft?
In this post, we’ll be hearing from Canadian author Carol Anne Shaw. Check out her author bio:
Carol Anne Shaw, resident of Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, is the author of the award-winning Hannah series, plus four young adult novels, and writing guidebook That’s Another Story: Writing with Heart.
For budding writers, the prospect of completing a full-length manuscript can feel hopelessly out of reach. Carol Anne, what advice do you have for writers who are just starting out with a book idea?
Oh, I love this question! And it makes me think of a famous quote by writer Gene Wolfe, who said, “You never learn how to write a book. You only learn how to write the book you’re writing.” So true! I thought once I had a book published, it would be easy street from that point on. Nope.
Writing every book has had its ups and downs, just like the one before it, but I’ve learned that that’s just the way it goes. The middle part is the hardest! That’s when the idea is no longer new and shiny, and it starts to feel like real work. My advice to writers just beginning would be, don’t overthink it. Don’t get hung up on editing or minute details. Just get the ideas down as they come.
If you’re stuck, write a random scene—one that will show up at some point in the novel. You can stitch everything together later on. And probably the most important thing of all? Turn off your phone, or put it in another room. Distractions will KILL your focus.
Carol Anne, share 3 ways you push through a plot snag.
Ew. Plot snags are beasts. Usually, I shut things down and go for a walk. Or, I write a random scene that I know I’ll be able to use in another part of the novel. That keeps my confidence up and the wheels in motion. The third “trick” might be opening a book by an author I admire and just familiarizing myself with how other writers weave stories. I learn so much from them.
In addition to writing, you give back to the community by speaking to groups of children. Your presentations have been described as “fascinating and inspiring.” What has been the most surprising part about giving these author talks? In what ways does this sort of public speaking differ from your previous experience as a high school visual arts teacher?
What has Pauline Shen been up to? What can we expect to see from her next?
Season Summary: Summer 2025
My Camino story “Et Suseia” is published with Scrawl Place. This piece began as a 500-word contest entry and later, with a year’s worth of revisions, grew into something more substantial.
Check out my blog in case you missed these awesome interviews. I am delighted to partner with editors, writers, and publicists to bring you an insider scoop on what’s going on in the industry.
Updates & Work in Progress: Autumn 2025
Be sure to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. I’ll be streamlining my marketing and publicity efforts; this means fewer social media interactions. Check back on my website or blog for information on my writing and visual art projects.
What I’m Reading: Autumn 2025
I read Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June. Her characters are true to life. If you have never read Anne Tyler’s work before, I highly recommend reading any (or all!) of her books. She is my favourite contemporary author.
I re-read L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. There are so many rich descriptions and timeless characters in this story. And great nuggets of wisdom too! I followed this up with The Blue Castle, which is a lesser-known title from the same author.
I have just begun reading Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants. It is my first experience with this story as I have never read it nor seen the film adaptation. A heart-wrenching yet beautiful page-turner.
And that’s it. Enjoy autumn. Start the conversation by commenting below. Stay tuned for my next blog post. Wanna get it in your email inbox? Subscribe to stay informed of my newest articles, story reviews, updates, and more.
Cover Image: Photo by Ameruverse Digital Marketing Media on Pexels.com
If you’re writing for publication, you need to know where your work will fit. After you’ve written a short story (or poem, or nonfiction piece…), you’ll need to send it somewhere. But where? Do you simply send your work to any and all journals that have an open submission call?
Or should you devote some time to reading current literary journals? It is a good idea to look for the best fit for your writing, so you ought to consider reading a selection of journals first. Now wait… there are so many literary journals out there! So, to avoid being overwhelmed I’ve developed a system to help narrow the field when you’re just starting out. It goes like this:
How does a writer organize different projects? PART TWO
In PART ONE of this topic, we established what sort of projects a writer must balance in order to move forward in the profession. The full scope involves writing, but a significant amount of creativity and drive must go into levels of different projects, not just one. Even if you’re independently wealthy and have the luxury of just sitting down to type out your novel, there’s always the marketing side of things. So, you’d still need to devote time and energy to multiple projects in addition to your manuscript.
How does a writer organize different projects? PART ONE
First, let’s examine what is meant by “different projects.” Writers, effectively, are artists. It’s a craft that carries high risk in terms of outcome versus expenditure of time, energy and effort. In order to market anything in the artistic realm, the maker (in this case, writer) needs to consider the full scope of the endeavour. There’s a lot of talk from writers about the challenges of getting work done and whether “writer’s block” is indeed a real phenomenon. However, that’s just one aspect of the creative process. And it’s only a nugget of the profession overall. Does that sound strange? Let me explain.
Pauline Shen 