Member Spotlight: Becky Garrison

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Without words, we have no way to tell our stories. Without telling our stories, we have no record of our past. Without having a record of the past, we cannot correct our past mistakes. Without correcting our past mistakes, we remain SNAFU. Writing gives us the tools that allow us to move forward towards creating a better world.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? To quote the late Gary Austin, founder of the Groundlings, I always have at least one passion project that I’m working on. Whenever I get stuck, I can always go to this project and tinker with it until I’m out of my funk. Other helpful tools include CBD/Cannabis, labyrinth walks, cycling, and camping.

What is your favorite time to write? Depends on the season. From spring through fall, mornings are my most productive. But come the dead of winter, I find my productivity is at its highest in the evening.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? From Gary Austin again – “Do the work.” You can’t control who will buy your wares or how the public will respond to your work. But if you just keep doing the work, then you are not beholden to the praise or criticism that follows. Rather you can find satisfaction knowing you put forth your best work.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I’m grateful I was able to shift from covering the Holy Spirit to distilled spirits, a move that saved my sanity and my soul. Delighted in particular in finding publishers and outlets in this new vertical that align with my values.

Becky Garrison’s Distilled in Washington: A History is out now with ‎The History Press.