We’re always on a learning journey, even more so as writers. We learn as we write, not just about writing styles but also specifics relating to the theme of our current writing project. Have you ever sat down after writing another story or another book and asked yourself what writing this book or this story has taught you? I have, and it’s amazing what I learned. Not only did it make me a better writer, but I also believe it made me a better person.

My recent release, Beauty in the Beast (Tell-Tale Publishing: 2022), was an adventure into the world of fantasy and fairy tales, in quite a different direction than my previous works. However, it was a story I couldn’t resist writing. Why? Perhaps because, of all the fairy tales, I think Beauty and the Beast is my favorite. The beast in the original story is a recluse who tries valiantly to live up to his beastly outer appearance, until Belle finds something beautiful deeper within, behind the visual persona. Belle, of course, is the beauty, both visually and within. It is a beauty that only she has the power to bring out this beast. How? By being kind, thoughtful, and caring. Perhaps I always knew the importance of these traits, but it never hurts to learn them again. I want to think that writing my version, Beauty in the Beast, helped me understand and appreciate once again how to be kind, thoughtful, and caring. And, it expanded my writing horizons.

Beasts exist – they must. Why else would they appear in folktales, literature, and artwork around the world, and in all cultures? I focused my attention on two ‘beasts’ whose stories and legends, and random sightings, have fascinated humans for centuries. The First Nations (aboriginals of Canada) have many ‘beastly’ stories. Along the west coast of British Columbia, many totem pole villages, past and present, feature totems of the mystical creature they call D’Sonoqua, or wild woman of the forest. D’Sonoqua’s story is not so different from the evil witch in Hansel and Greta; she’s also not so different from the random sightings of a beast-like creature that haunts the West Coast forests, the Sasquatch.

Are these creatures real? I think they are. They’ve been sighted, but never captured on film nor ensnared in traps. These creatures are shy, and recluse, just like the beast in the original story. Were these creatures created in a lab? By some alien super-intelligent being? An experiment on mutating humans with other living creatures? And, for what purpose? I learned a lot in my research on these creatures and the myths that surround them. The what-ifs always drive me forward. It’s these same types of what-ifs that my young writing students always enjoyed writing about. If the young can write with abandoned creative energy, why can’t I? This is something else I learn with every new work of fiction I write. Fantasy and Science Fiction are new genres in my writing sphere, but I discovered that it was so much fun to write when I abandoned all reserves I might have previously incorporated into my plots.

What did I learn? Lots. Every writing project is a learning curve. This book taught me that I can write about just about anything, and in just about any genre. All I have to do is let my imagination take flight, like Priya, the main character in my story. I learned to allow my mind to expand upon the simplicity of the question, “What if?” There are so many possibilities to explore, and so many themes and plots to create. I learned not to be afraid to write about any what-if scenario. What has your writing taught you? Let the power of your mind expand with the power of your written word and see what you can learn.