Self-described born and raised townie Beth Ryan (BA’87, M.Ed.’11) has re-invented herself several times over the course of her career. As a journalist she worked throughout Canada for radio and newspapers; she became a short fiction writer in the ’90s; branched into communications more than a decade ago; worked in academic advising and taught at Memorial; and began a counselling practice a few years ago. A Memorial employee since 1998, she just began a new career as administrative director of the First Year Success Program. She is also still beaming after being named the 2014 recipient of the Telegram’s Cuffer Prize for short-story writing. Contributor Jeff Green spoke with Ms. Ryan about her writing career.

JG: How did you first get involved with writing?
BR: I wrote my first poems and stories when I was in elementary school but as I got older, I became a bit self-conscious to let other people read what I’d written. I didn’t start sharing with others until I was invited to join Memorial’s Burning Rock writers group in 1996. They were all committed to their writing and to encouraging one another to develop as writers. I learned a lot about finding my own voice as a fiction writer and my confidence grew by working with them.

JG: What is your process? 
BR: I tend to ruminate for a long time before I ever write anything. I talk about it to anyone who will listen. I record myself talking about the characters. I even end up dreaming about it. Once I know who the characters are and what they’re doing, I will finally sit down and start writing. By doing it this way, I find the story will pour out all at once and then I can spend time editing and re-writing to get it the way I want it.

JG: How does your writing background complement your career as a counsellor?
BR: In both cases, I think it’s all about looking for the key details in a story that help you make sense of it all. When I work with clients, I listen carefully to the stories they tell me and try to help them focus on what’s important to them. When I write a story, I am looking for specific bits of dialogue or description that are going to help the reader see and hear my characters and really get to know them.

JG: What was your reaction to receiving this year’s Cuffer prize?
BR: I was truly surprised when I heard my name called at the awards ceremony. It was just the validation I needed to get back to writing short stories again. I have been working on a novel for a while and I’ve found myself feeling stuck in the plot. But writing a short piece can be very energizing and that’s what I found when I wrote this piece (Campfire Stories).

JG: I understand you’re taking part in the SPARKS Literary Festival on Jan. 25. What are you looking forward to most?
BR: It’s been a while since I read before a live audience so I’m excited about that. For a writer, it’s a wonderful experience to have people react immediately to what you’re reading, to know what makes them laugh or groan or cry. But I am also eager to hear new work from a lot of the writers I know and those who are new to me.