Victoria Feistner is a writer, a graphic designer, and an artisan, in equal parts–although some parts are more equal than others. She resides in Toronto with her partner and two cats.
How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. I still have books from grades 1 & 2 that I wrote and illustrated; in early high school I discovered fanfiction; I finished my first novel when I was 18. The longest time where I wasn’t writing fiction was a few years in my 20s when I was focused on building a graphic design career and only had enough creativity juice for one or the other.
What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Do something creative that isn’t writing, and let it teach you how to separate yourself from your work. Accepting and examining critical response is the key to improving and it’s hard to do that when the piece in question is your baby. On that note, learn to discern criticism itself: sometimes it’s hard to hear but worthwhile; sometimes it’s hard to hear AND useless–that sort of feedback should be tossed over your shoulder while you walk away from the explosion.
What tips do you have for finding time to write?
Schedule it the same way you do everything else. You wouldn’t let your buddies talk you out of going to a dentist appointment for a hang-out; don’t let them do the same for your writing. Whether it’s squeezing in twenty minutes on your lunch break or getting up early or whatever you would do for something ‘important’: block the time out, stick to it, be disciplined. Put it in your calendar, set an alarm, treat it seriously. Repeat.
What are your writing goals for the next five years?
I currently have two novels that I am querying, three more that need editing, and several short stories and novelettes to find homes for, never mind the stack of outlines and sequels vying for my attention, so my goals are varied. I suppose the biggest one is getting traditionally published.
Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
I keep a blog about writing and productivity, as well as some free-to-read short stories, at www.victoriafeistner.com. Come by and say hi!
