The Ebb and Flow

It’s natural for our writing to change. It should change. If writing remains the same, we will lose our curiosity and opportunity for growth and discovery. It’s fascinating to compare the changes in one’s writing from last week to ten years ago. I love looking back on the diaries and notebooks from my childhood when…

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Illusion and Reality

I saw an interesting question posted on a social media site: How many writers write in the same genre as they read? I took a moment to consider that – at first, my answer was “no”, I don’t normally write in the same category, but when I took a second look, I found the answer…

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A Lesson in Writing Book Reviews

I was asked by a fellow writer if I would review her new novel. I was thrilled to be one of the few invited to preview her new book. There was just one problem – I had never written a book review before. I was faced with this issue last summer when I offered to…

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The Way Our Stories Change

Stories are destined to change in the midst of their creation; sometimes we need to learn how to let go of our original concept, and ride the current of our words. No matter what my original idea might have been, I find that in the midst of writing, the story takes on a shape of…

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One Page at a Time

2014 was a busy year for me. I published three pieces and was asked to guest blog for a couple of websites. I attended writing festivals, workshops, happily became a member-at-large in my local writing group and was invited to a bloggers event in Toronto. It was an amazing crazy year filled with new opportunity,…

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The Twelve Days of Writing

I thought for a bit of holiday fun, I’d play with an old holiday classic. The Twelve Days of Writing to the popular tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas. “On the first day of writing, my muse said I need Twelve spiral notebooks Eleven paper clips Ten cups of coffee Nine fat pens Eight sticky…

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Writing through a Ruckus

There are workman tromping around in my kitchen; every few minutes the buzz of a saw, the zap of a nail gun, hammering and yammering. The day before all this chaos, I prepared for this new and temporary infestation in my life. I gathered my drafts for editing, thinking I could hide out in my study doing…

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Some Writing, A Massage and a Comedy of Errors

We arrived at our destination welcomed by the bumpy waves of the glacial lake rushing onto the sandy shore. It’s cool, almost winter, a balmy zero degrees beneath a blue sky, a dazzling sun shimmering in the clear icy water. It is the beginning of a weekend retreat of luxury and bliss for my better…

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Diving In

November is upon us; for many writers, it’s National Novel Writing Month. Thousands will sign up and take the challenge of writing in a novel in thirty days. I have never participated in this challenge but this time I will, although not as an official member.  I still have weekly and monthly deadlines I need…

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If You Like What You See

Some people have inquired if there’s a place to donate on my blog. This is for those who would like to offer extra support for my work and I thank you for this.

A bigger thank you to all my readers who offer ongoing support simply by stopping by for a visit. I enjoy writing and interacting with you.

About me

J.G. Chayko is a writer, actress, and international arthritis advocate who’s been involved in theatre for more than 30 years and has published poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction.