I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Canvas Rebel Magazine to talk about my process and creative works.

In some ways, I am not the typical writer, because I’ve always been writing. I started submitting and entering writing contests when I was very young and had my first publication–“Ella’s Story”–when I was nine or ten in a local newspaper. Then, in college, I pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a Creative Writing Emphasis, because it allowed me to have more flexibility choosing my own courses centered on the craft of writing and study of narrative.

My first, biggest struggle post-college was figuring out how to continually build my portfolio and career by completing saleable, submittable projects. Finishing “a” project is great, but finishing quality work on time, consistently, is what many career writers do. The production aspects of learning the craft is very different from learning “a” form of writing. — from “Meet Monica Valentinelli” on CanvasRebel.com

This interview will give you some insight about how I’m faring, what I hope to create, and what I’m focusing on. Enjoy!