Many of you know this, but I’m originally from British Columbia, Canada. I now live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and have now been living here for six years. In between moving from BC to Edmonton, I had a brief stint in Calgary. It wasn’t until I moved to Edmonton that I was really focusing on actually writing and getting published blah blah blah. When I got to Edmonton, one of the first Alberta writers I connected with was Mike Thorn, who at the time was living in Calgary and we both had a moment of hilarious annoyance that we didn’t connect while living in the same city. Through talking with Mike, he suggested one publisher to keep an eye on for open calls and putting out amazing work was The Seventh Terrace based out of Calgary. He was right. The quality of work they release is staggering, and as with many small Canadian presses, it is led by only a few individuals doing all of the heavy lifting. Last week, I had one of those doing the lifting as a 3Q’s guest (Rob Bose) and today, I have another!

Sarah L. Platt is a fantastic author, editor and I’m so very happy to have here join me today!

Welcome Sarah!

Steve:  What does your process look like once you finish your first draft? Do you immediately dive back into it, or do you take some time away?

Sarah: …Yes?

First of all, it takes everything I have to finish a rough draft. Then I spend anywhere from 1 month to 8 years in a state of existential despair, during which I may complete other works I was despairing over while writing the aforementioned rough draft. I wish I had better news. I wish someone had told me this is 99% of being an artist, so I could have done the smart thing and become a dentist. No one creative ever wanted to be a dentist. And it’s no coincidence that they’re all rich and happier than your average writer.

Steve: What’s the one thing you’d change now if you’d have known it when you started writing?

Sarah: Aside from the dentist thing? I dunno…maybe cash in and write airport kiosk thrillers?

But my serious answer, and something I tell all new writers, is to focus on the gratification of writing and learning the craft. Publication feels great, critical acclaim feels great, but it will never feel as good as creating. That’s the juice, my friends. I promise you.

Steve: Of the books or stories you’ve released, which is your personal favorite and why?

Sarah: A short story called Suicide Stitch, which you can read in my collection Suicide Stitch: Eleven Tales.  It’s about a woman cleaning out her suddenly deceased sister’s house, unsure of whether her death was truly an accident or something intentional. It’s my favourite because I tapped into some awful kind of darkness with that story. I doubt I’ll ever write anything more chilling.

Steve: Bonus Fun Question – Would you rather be lost at sea or in the mountains?

Sarah: Have you seen the ocean? It’s fucking terrifying. At least the mountains are familiar. I get lost in those all the time.

Steve: Good point! Thank you so much for doing this, Sarah!

To find more of her work – check the links!

Website: https://the-seventh-terrace.com/