"What I love most about the Green Ink Sponsored Write is the sense of community. I love logging on and catching up with friends from across the writing community – and across the world."

Green Ink Sponsored Writer Charlotte Bond

Every year, I invite a group of professional authors and developing writers within my coaching community to write on a theme inspired by Macmillan Cancer Support’s mission of quality of life: Macmillan Cancer Support’s mission for all affected by cancer.

Most sponsored events have costs and a carbon footprint. We do’t. It all goes straight to the charity through our sponsorship page: sponsor a writer for Macmillan Cancer Support at https://www.justgiving.com/page/greeninksponsoredwrite2023

Charlotte

Green Ink Sponsored Write Interview Questions 2023

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself, writing, and/or life outside writing?

As well as being a writer, I’m a freelance editor and podcaster. I edit for individuals as well as publishers, which means I’m never working on the same kind of thing twice! It really is a very varied and interesting career.

My podcast is Breaking the Glass Slipper, which I co-host with Megan Leigh and Lucy Hounsom. Those women are such tremendous fun to talk to about all aspects of speculative fiction, and we’ve had some great authors on as guests, which makes it even more fun.

When I write, I’m mostly drawn to horror or dark fantasy. I have a passion for fairy tales and folklore, and there’s usually some kind of element of that in every piece of writing I do. Next year sees two of my novellas being published by TorDotCom Publishing about knights, mages, and dragons. I had so much fun dreaming up a completely unknown secondary fantasy world, and the feedback from early readers has been pretty encouraging, so I can’t wait to share them with a wider audience.

When I’m not writing, I enjoy other creative outlets such as baking and embroidery. It’s my aim to try and provide a unique recipe with every book I have published going forward, and so far that’s proved to be a fantastic way to combine two of my passions.

What's it been like Sponsored Writing in the past? Are you a 'deadlines person'?

What I love most about the Green Ink Sponsored Write is the sense of community. I love logging onto the chat on the day itself and catching up with friends from across the writing community – and across the world! Even when I’ve had to shift the writing from a weekend to a weekday, I’ve been eager to log on and be part of that community.

I have a mixed relationship with deadlines. While I think they can aid the creative process by focussing the mind far more than a nebulous “oh yeah, my agent’s been asking about this,” I also think they can provide unnecessary stress in a world where there’s just too much to worry us. Since the pandemic, I’ve tried to reduce the amount of stress in my life because it can really detract from your everyday appreciation of the world (and the people) around you. But sometimes that’s easier said than done! Deadlines are useful if sensible and approached in a positive manner.

Many involved have personal connections with Macmillan Cancer Support. Do you want to share any experience of the charity's work?

I have not worked with Macmillan Cancer Support directly, but I have heard excellent things about them from family and friends who have dealt with them. Like everyone, I’ve lost people I know and love to cancer, and it’s such a cruel disease that I fully support any charity that is trying to loosen the grip of cancer on our lives.

What do you make of Paul Tremblay’s theme for this year, A Well of Strength, The Strength of Will?

I’m a huge fan of Paul’s work, and one of the things I like about his stories is their inherent ambiguity. This year’s theme brings a little bit of his ambiguous nature into the Sponsored Write, and it opens up so many creative possibilities. There are so many interpretations of the theme that I just don’t know where to start! But I shall enjoy the journey when I eventually set off on it.

Sponsor a writer for Macmillan Cancer Support at https://www.justgiving.com/page/greeninksponsoredwrite2023