Leanne Dyck’s stories are about strong women and the challenges they face. Leanne’s writing has appeared in the Island Writer, Kaleidoscope and Canadian Stories literary journals. In 2011 Decadent Publishing released her dark thriller The Sweater Curse as an ebook. Follow Leanne’s author journey by visiting her blog: http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com
Leanne, welcome to Write Despite and thanks for taking the time to chat with us.
1) What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
‘If you keep writing you’ll be published’ –Julia Cameron, The Right to Write
I’ve also benefited from advice gleamed from Steven King’s On Writing and Nancy Lamb’s The Art and Craft of Storytelling.
2) Please tell us your favorite three authors.
I have so many. Let’s see, today I’ll choose Will Ferguson, Jane Urquhart and Mary Sharratt.
3) Briefly describe your journey to publication.
I’ve always written. When I was in elementary school one of my poems was published in my school’s newspaper. In middle school one of my short stories was published in the community newspaper. All through school and after graduation, I continued to write but mainly for my own enjoyment. After opening a knitwear design business in 2002, I began to write articles for craft magazines. I enjoyed working with editors and was thrilled to see my writing published. Desiring to learn more about the publishing business I decided to self-publish. From 2006 to 2009, I self-published paperbacks, ebooks and an audio book. Self-publishing was fun but I’m a team player so I decided to submit my writing to publishing houses. In 2011, Decadent Publishing released my novella-length thriller—The Sweater Curse—as an ebook.
Readers wrote:
‘Stitch by colorful stitch, Leanne Dyck knits a tale of intrigue’ –Laurie Buchanan
‘Leanne Dyck has crafted a tale of exotic and existential as Danish author Isak Dinesen’s’ –Lou Allin
After reading those reviews, I closed my design business and began to write full-time. I’m now seeking a publisher for five manuscripts—this includes The Sweater Curse (which is now novel-length).
4) Advice for those now on the road to publication?
Believe in the power of your words.
Read, write and submit.
Keep writing fun.
5) Do you write every day?
Yes. Some days I work on a new project; other days I work on revisions and some days I just write for fun.
6) What are you writing now?
As a rule I usually work on at least two projects at a time. Right now I’m working on two book-length manuscripts: a non-fiction and a general fiction.
7) What are you reading now?
In Calamity’s Wake, by Natalee Caple.
Write Despite 
Thank you for your kind comments and encouragement, Karen, Cathy and Elizabeth.
Leanne, thanks for sharing your writing journey. It’s wonderful to hear from a writer with conviction who believes in her work. Keep writing.
Thank you for hosting me your blog. It was a pleasure visiting you.
We’re so happy to be able to include your great tips and insights here. Thanks so much for this, and best of luck with your writing!