Phyllis Chubb and I were both students of the same course, and in one of their webinars' chat room we got to know each other better. When we learned that we were both starting similar projects and that we are both from BC (Canada) - it was easy to start networking with her. Later on our relationship developed into friendship - and we now meet weekly for a friendly chat about what each other have been up to. I always look forward to those meetings because we really support each other and I'm motivated to do the tasks I said I was going to do before the next meeting.
Q: What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?
A: Answering that is hard on the ego. Learning to write has been more challenging that I expected. Not only did I have to remember what my English teacher talked about, you know, verbs, adjustives - but also those easy to use adverbs, punctuation entered the picture too.
When my work is edited I am always amazed at the creativity I have with my spelling, tenses and what I perceive as the simple stuff.
Q: When starting a book project do you choose the title first, or does that come later? A: For me the title is always a mystery until I finish the work. Even then I’ll ask the beta readers to make suggestions. Q: What criticism about your writing gave you pause, made you rethink your writing style? A: I delete lots and re-write far too frequently. I swear I cause myself more problems than necessary.Here’s an example. I finish as novel written in first person then come up with the bright idea to change it to third person omniscient.
I was super stoked therefore to feature Phyllis here today, so we can all learn more about her writing experiences. Phyllis says her first word was likely: Why.
“Why do people act the way we do”?
Her analytical and inquisitive mind led her to delve into years of study and ultimately a master’s degree in human relations and a career in community counselling and psychiatry. These paths prepared her for an introduction to Jyotish (a form of Eastern astrology, also known as: Vedic). She was then compelled to study Veda of India and all of that led back to her original question:
"Why do we act the way we do?"
She explores these thoughts through the craft of writing and her intent is to stimulate contemplative thought while simultaneously entertaining her readers. Phyllis balances a writing career, with her full life on Vancouver Island (BC, Canada) with her husband and their four-footed bosses.
"Be kind to yourself,
don’t expect perfection
and remember,
practice does wonders...
so practice lots."
~ Phyllis Chubb
Q: What business challenges have you faced as a writer?
A: Learning to write takes a lot of focus time, I hadn’t even thought about selling my writing when I first started.
I thought putting it up on Amazon (that’s a lesson too) was all I must do. WRONG. The writing must be set aside and another language or two much be mastered for that process and another set of skills developed.
So far there has only been frustration, but not enough to being tears. Holy words frequently fall from my lips as I struggle with learning how to use this computer. Oh, how I long for a simple typewriter, but as I deal with each challenge gratitude seeps in and stays until the next learning occurs.
Q: What is the important role that writers play in today’s world?
A: Basically I think writers are in full competition with NetFlex, Prime and
other time wasters. We have to remember that as we write. Our stories must hold as much attraction as the shows on those outlets do.
Q: When starting a book project do you choose the title first, or does that come later? A: For me the title is always a mystery until I finish the work. Even then I’ll ask the beta readers to make suggestions. Q: What criticism about your writing gave you pause, made you rethink your writing style? A: I delete lots and re-write far too frequently. I swear I cause myself more problems than necessary.Here’s an example. I finish as novel written in first person then come up with the bright idea to change it to third person omniscient.
To me - that is self-abuse.
I’m getting better about not doing that, however the day after I finish something I think of better ways to achieve the task. Then of course I give myself a hard time because the changes have to be checked through the whole body of the work.
...By the time I finally get it finished I can’t stand the damn thing.
Q: Outside of your spouse, circle of close friends and family members, who would you say was the one that stands out as far as helping you get where you are?
A: It’s not a person that keeps me writing, it’s my particular way of seeing the world that helps. Along with that is my Tuesday evening writing group. Our little group has been together since before COVID and thankfully it was there during the shut down.
There is nothing a therapeutic as wailing about a frustration to someone who knows exactly how you feel. Sure - we talk about things we’ve learned an opportunities to take, but for the most part we support each other with the challenge of living and striving to write at the same time.
Q: If you had to temporarily give something up in your schedule in order to take the time to better your craft or career as a writer... What would that be? How do you make the decision?
A: I do that regularly, especially in the summer when I garden. It’s amazing what can be learned about writing when you get a chance to get away from it. Once you return the eye is sharer, the fingers more agile and the mind is able to absorb more info. These withdrawals, I find are the most important step toward bettering my ability to write.
Q: What is the best money you ever spent as a writer?
A: The best money I’ve spent as a writer was to join Brian Cohen’s Ad School and Joe Bunting’s channel, The Write Practice. These two men have given me more than the $6,000.00 US$ I paid to another company that promised a lot but provided nothing but talk.
Brian and Joe naturally have very modest, one time fees, and the two men give a lot of useable information. I hope they continue living their philosophy of being helpful.
Q: Who/what is your inner saboteur? (i.e. the haunting critical voice, inner judge, fear mongering voice echoing in the mind.)
A: My level of curiosity gets me in more trouble than I care to admit to. Because I am so easily distracted I have to restrict my time on the net, including watching the news!
I have the tendency to double check everything I hear or read. For example, when I first heard about Project 2025 or the Conservative Policy papers, it was a deep dive into the computer as I read through them. I must admit, I have not read the 900+ pages of the 2025 Project but I read enough to confirm the seriousness of what it is proposing. The same goes for the 45 pages of the Conservative Policy Paper. I walked away from that study session knowing that both countries have solid reasons for concern.
Q: Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
A: That’s funny!! (She laughs).
When I first started writing, I planned on 50,000 words ... that, I thought, would be easily achieved every month. I picked this number because I’d done it once before.
Rest assured I haven’t done it since!
Now I enjoy learning what each day brings and the number is always between zero and some more. Unless I am learning a skill extended detail bores me. I like a rough guideline and freedom to fill in the blanks.
~~~
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