T.C.: One of the benefits of writing is that it is possible to write as a side job, do you or have you worked other jobs while being a writer? How do you manage your time?

B.G.: I’ve worked a variety of jobs to help fund my writing. My dream is to hopefully one day be a full-time writer, though I’m prepared in case that never comes to pass. Right now I’m about to start a new job as a childcare worker. Time management is still a skill I’m learning to acquire, but I’ve learned to jot down notes whenever ideas come to me--whether on my Notes app on my phone, or in a notebook.

I also try to write when the itch to do so occurs. I know this isn’t possible all the time, but if you have the chance to follow that feeling, do so! Don’t convince yourself you’ll get to it later. Right now I try to write in the evenings and on weekends, and give myself Sundays off to rest and reset.

A.G.: Ah yes, time management is a hard skill to acquire. For the stories you write, do you relate to your characters’ experiences, either romantic or sad?

B.G.: This depends on the story. Sometimes I write characters completely opposite of myself, though they grapple with universal human emotions. But there are instances where I directly tackle an emotion that has gripped my life--more recently, grief. Quite a few of my flash fiction stories explore mourning, because it’s something with which I’ve become very familiar, and I want to reach out to others who may feel like they’re hurting in silence. This is very important to me as a Christian, too: to help others through my writing.

T.C.: It’s great that you have found ways to share your beliefs and personal feelings in your writing! I can testify to feeling very connected to a character who goes through similar feelings and experiences as I have so I’m sure your readers will love that aspect of your writing. It seems like you have a wide variety of topics and genres you explore in writing, what inspired you to start writing?

B.G.: I don’t know if I have a “moment” where I decided I wanted to be a writer. It’s just something that grew with me as I grew up and discovered and developed my interests. But I think it was high school where I started taking direct steps towards publishing a novel (which is still in the works).

A.G.: Who are some authors you look up to?

B.G.: Oh boy, there’s a whole host of them! I’ll limit my list to three authors that are living, and that write in the same genre as me (which is mainly fantasy). Those authors include Rosamund Hodge, W.R. Gingell, and Shannon Hale, though there are many others I admire.

T.C.: Ooh, great choices! Through your writing journey, have you acquired any words of advice for young authors?

B.G.: All of this has been said before by other authors far more experienced than myself, but bears repeating:

Be kind to yourself. I think we authors can be our own worst critics.

Secondly, know that every person’s journey is unique. You’re not going to write the same way as your friends do--and you’re not going to do things the exact same way, either. You might be a hybrid writer while your friends pursue traditional or indie. It’s okay to not do things the same way. Enjoy the uniqueness of your journey and embrace it.

And lastly, always be open to learn. We writers will never stop learning--there’s always new techniques, new perspectives, new genres to explore. It’s amazing what other authors can teach you.

A.G.: Oh that is very good advice. It’s always hard to stop being so harsh with ourselves.

T.C.: That’s excellent advice!

A.G.: You seem to have quite a bit of experience with writing. How long have you been writing?

B.G.: I’ve been writing since I was very young. I think one of my first published stories was when I was 5 or 6, in our school yearbook. It was about a girl who got a surprise puppy for her birthday--probably inspired by wishful thinking on my part! I also remember my mom bringing home scrap paper from her work, and I’d write and illustrate stories on those.

In high school, I wrote fanfiction and started various novels. Then in university I started struggling with mental illness and experienced extreme burnout for years as I grappled with it. It’s still something I continue to battle, so I’ve learned to be kind to myself and do what I can. That’s part of what’s driven me into writing flash fiction--so I can finish stories and get them out there despite how crummy I feel.

T.C.: Wow, that’s an incredible journey! I also prefer to write short stories for a similar reason. Although I’m sure there are many things you enjoy about writing, what is your favorite thing about being an author?

B.G.: I love the community. God’s blessed me with fellow writer friends who have cheered me on and who I have been able to cheer on as well. Knowing that there are friends who love *you* as a person and as a writer offers an incredible feeling of comfort and security despite the uncertainties of an authorly life.

A.G.: Writing communities are the best things ever. Well, that was the last of our questions, and I’m so sad to see our time together come to an end. Thank you so much for joining us!

T.C.: Yes, this was a great interview, thanks so much!

A.G.: See you next week Readers, and see you on the author side!