Member Spotlight: Monette L. Bebow-Reinhard

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? There is so much in my head that I think I’d explode if I didn’t write! And there’s so much to read I don’t often even know where to begin. But there’s something out there for all of us. And as writers, we need to find a way to get our work to people who need to see it.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I usually have more than one project (usually? always!) to work on at a time. I also like writing to themed competitions. Recently created a brand-new short story for one (fingers crossed) that could earn me over $100.

What is your favorite time to write? First thing a.m. is saved for fiction and new things. I’ve also lately decided that I need to put out a new submission every day. I have that much that’s ready to go. I save the afternoon for the work material, nonfiction, research, house-cleaning. And then late at night also seems like a good time to be creative, hurry up and write something before you fall asleep. But early morning I often come out of a dream with a new way to write something.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Writing is subjective. You cannot possibly appeal to everyone. Write what you like to read, and let the rest fall into place.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? Right now, I don’t know if anything does. It feels like agents are harder to find, publishers are more restrictive, and self-published books have not improved, spoiling the reading experience for many of us who really try hard before resorting to self-publishing. To be honest, I’ve thought about giving up on AG, and just staying a member for the great website, because I’ve still been unable to find even a small press to consider any of my work.

Monette L. Bebow-Reinhard’s Pensaukee: Voice of a Landscape is out now.