"When you have the passion to write but cannot produce words, my advice is to leave the craft for a short hiatus. Plunge into the works of other writers and let them become your silent writing coaches. Allow them to take your mind on journeys that you could not have dreamed yourself. Lose yourself in the words of other creators. When inspiration comes, you will have things to write about and scenes to illustrate."

Taslim Burkowicz was a reader for the 2019 CBC Short Story Prize. Her first novel, Chocolate Cherry Chai, was listed as one of CBC Books' 20 works of Canadian fiction we're excited to read in 2017. Her second novel, The Desirable Sister, focuses on the topic of colourism within Canadian society. It will be out in Fall 2019.