J.G. Chayko

Life can get busy – creative time can get lost in the chaos of working, caring for your family, hobbies, housework, and appointments. Before you know it, the sun has set and you are off to bed, recharging your mind and body for another hectic day. I used to get frustrated on my busy days…

Submission call: Stories about Love….Submission call: Stories of the Strange and Mysterious….Submission call: Poems on the Natural World… Several times a month, I see calls for submissions to literary magazines, story contests and on-line print; every month, I wonder if I can produce what they desire in the next thirty days. A panic sets in,…

Writing has been transformed by e-books, social media, and blogging. The world of publishing and marketing is changing and writers need to change with it. We now spend time tweeting, emailing, and engaging in social media – all important in establishing connections and marketing our work. The hours spent on social media can add up,…

I love to read the work of other writers; and I love to dive into reference books on my craft. In the midst of a project, I may need a bit of a push, and my reference books can always be counted on to show me the way. Below are some of my favourites: Stephen…

Blogging is a superb tool for writing practice. Blogs offer the creative freedom to write about any topic at any time. You can control your content and the length of your posts; you can connect to others with similar interests by accepting and responding to comments; you can open the door to every writer’s dreaded…

The sweet smell of sweated onion in olive oil floats under my noise, only to be drenched by the sharp scent of fresh cilantro and the intense sizzling aroma from scarlet chillies. I slice crimson tomatoes and vibrant orange peppers, enjoying the mottled collage of color against the backdrop of my white cutting board. My…

I wake before dawn, the scattered fragments of my dream crumbling in the light of my consciousness. I reach for my journal on my bedside table, turn on my tiny LED reading light (so as not to disturb my partner) and speedily write down the last lingering images. I find stories in my dreams. Sometimes…

I set aside certain days to write, and on those days I have a routine: I wake early in the morning, do some yoga, drink some coffee, finish a bit of housework and settle down at my desk prepared for a day’s work.  I usually have a strategy on what I want to accomplish in my day….

Distractions are everywhere. They surround us like a thick fog, always jabbing at us, always demanding our attention. Like most of us, I have been guilty of surrendering to distractions that steal my focus from writing– doing housework, returning emails, taking a walk, going for coffee with friends or reading a book. I try to…