ABOUT ME
THE RUNDOWN
How We Got Here
When I started my journey as a writer, I never took the craft seriously, thinking that if anyone can write, anyone can be a successful writer. As I've gotten older, wiser, and more practiced in writing, I've come to realize multiple things.
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First, while anyone can be a writer, being a "successful" writer is an entirely different matter.
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Second, while anyone can be a writer, everyone is a storyteller.
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Lastly, stories of all kinds should be told, no matter what form they may take.
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I've taken these lessons and have applied them to all my endeavours. From mentorship, to game design, they've helped me develop not only my own creative process, but of others as well.
HOW I
WRITE
There's more to story than plot.
When I write anything, from books to games, I always hold several philosophies and techniques at the core of my writing.
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1. Start at the end
Where does it all lead? What will be the last thing the reader will see when the final page turns, and the book covers close? Deciding the final scene develops the final experience of the audience, and it creates a guide for the rest of the project.
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2. What do I want to say?
When I write, I want to instill a lasting message or feeling in my audience, and I tailor the narrative around that. Understanding how tools are used (literary devices, game mechanics, etc.) allows me to perform that task, as different narrative tools should, like a real tool box, be used appropriately for the task and the idea of the project.
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3. Art is not mimicry, it is a conversation
In understanding how narrative devices and tools can be used to create narratives, they can and should always be used to facilitate analysis of other narrative works. In doing so, I learn how different authors and teams approach their messaging, their themes, and their ideals.
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4. Only the author(s) know best
My time writing for games and my own manuscripts has taught me not everyone will like the work I do, and when feedback arrives, I have to accept the faults and imperfections present. However, because I am either an author or the author, only I or my team know how to address the criticism. And if anyone suggests a "how to fix" solution in their feedback, it is always taken with a huge grain of salt.
MY CREDENTIALS
Education and Experience
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA - BACHELOR OF ARTS
Majoring in English, Minoring in Creative Writing
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA - CERTIFICATE IN COMPUTER GAME DEVELOPMENT
The Certificate in Computer Game Development is offered by the University of Alberta to provide students with knowledge surrounding game design, and allowing students to produce games as part of their curriculum.
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For more information as to my role in the games I wrote for, please refer to my portfolio.
May 2020 - December 2022
THE CRW - VOLUNTEER EDITOR
The University of Alberta Creative Writing Club (the CrW) is a student group which focuses on the art and act of creative writing. Their project of substantial status is the CrW Anthologies, which feature student writers, poets, and editors, all of which is overseen by students from start to publication.
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For more information as to my role in the anthologies, please refer to my portfolio.