Evan Simon-Leack — an interview with the author of The Writing Process
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So tell me... What's your relationship with writing like?
Hah, a fair first question for a piece like this! I've always loved stories, but it was Mr. Gouvea, my 5th grade teacher, who nurtured that into a love for writing, which I'm very grateful for, because it gave me a much-needed outlet when my health went downhill not long after. I'd spend the next twentyish years writing purely as a coping mechanism, only sharing my work with my family and best friend (Kelsey, you're the absolute best). A few years ago I finally realized my original plans for life weren't going to happen. Yeah, it took me a while. At that point, writing felt like my last shot to do something with my life. That's when I started actually submitting short stories and found the wonderful writing communities I'm in, and it all kind of snowballed from there.
My health problems have prevented me from having much of a life, so writing has become my main focus. I'm extremely passionate about it, it's a much needed outlet, and I also just plain love it.
Do you think it's possible for writers to have a healthy relationship with writing?
Hahahahahaha.
Sorry.
In all seriousness, though; absolutely! I think there's always a certain level of insanity in anything creative, but that's part of the process. Heck, I'd consider my relationship with writing very healthy! Just please don't ask anyone around me if they agree.
What does your personal writing process or workflow look like?
It starts with coffee. I brew over-thick espresso concentrate, then cut it with milk for a nice, potent latte. Next, I need somewhere I can comfortably sit with my laptop. Three of my vertebrae are wedged as a result of a period of prednisone-induced osteoporosis when I was a kid, so finding a comfortable sitting position is hard. The only one I've found is on our couch, with my legs half bent under me to keep my back pushed against the cushion. This is unfortunately in the living room, so step three is begging my family to be quiet and stop talking to me.
For the actual writing, I'm very far towards the discovery end of the writer spectrum, with a very "bubbles up from the subconscious" creative process. When I get energized with an idea, it flows pretty easily, but it's extremely hard for me to force it when I'm not. It also means that revisions are usually preceded with a ritual tantrum. All bloodletting done is purely metaphorical and still very much real.
More coffee is required in the late afternoon. This is when my mad-scientist, Pepsilatte experiments take place (as my friend Addison was sweet enough to mention in his own Foofaraw interview). Then, back to the couch for more writing! Dinnertime is usually when I stop for the day. I used to be a night owl, but a handful of years ago my immune system decided to become a pacifist (well, aside from attacking me), and the constant viruses make me go downhill rather early. Unfortunately, I'm still not an early bird, and thus I'm now just a middle-of-the-day dodo.
Do you think the pain of process leads to better writing?
No.
American society has long held the belief that suffering is a requirement for being good at something, and this has been used to justify and normalize abusive environments which more often than not disproportionally affect minorities.
In addition, people all react differently to both the feedback and the submission/rejection processes.
Adversity in general isn't required, although I do feel that life struggles can be used to fuel creative endeavors. Had my life turned out differently, I'm not even sure I'd still be writing, but I'd definitely not be writing the same things. I love to use spec fic for fun, wild ideas as well as a way to talk about my real struggles, and it's the latter type of story I've gotten more traction with. Having people tell me that they felt a personal connection with a story of mine because they've struggled similarly has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Writing is one of those things that a person gets better at purely by doing it (and by reading). It requires dedication and passion, but how much it hurts isn't an accurate way to determine progress.
How long did it take you to get used to the suffering of the submission and eventual rejection of all of this (if ever)?
It's a still-evolving process. The hardest part was prior to finding the writing community. I felt really isolated, because I knew it existed but I didn't know how to find my way in. That's when I wrote the original version of this. Then, I was rejected for the Clarion West 6-week workshop, but that still came with an invite to their Discord, and that changed everything for me.
Wordos has also been a huge help. We celebrate rejections because it means we're getting our work out there, and hearing award-winning members report rejections has helped me to realize it's just part of the process.
That doesn't mean there aren't the occasional rejections that hurt a bit more, but that's normal. It's pretty clear that the most important thing is perseverance (maybe with a healthy side of insanity).
How many times has this story been rejected?
Five! Which normally isn't too much, but there seem to be less markets for something experimental like this, so I'm really thrilled it found a home with Foofaraw.
What’s one of your recent favorite short stories?
Probably something written by a friend, but I have too many talented writer friends to pick just one. Instead, I'll mention my favorite recent-ish short story by someone I don't know: “The History of Coming Out To Your Parents Any% Speedrunning” by Jubilee Finnegan
It's a fantastic use of a unique, zany, non-traditional format to talk about something real.
What book are you reading right now?
I just finished King Rat by China Miéville (he's one of my favorite authors). It was really good, but it's a more contained concept, and I really love the weirder imagination he displays in his later work.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
My story, "Flight of the Werebee," is coming out this month in Zombies Need Brains' Were-2 anthology. It's an entirely serious story about a woman who splits into thousands of bees every full moon. Losing her mind from the repeated dissociation, she's resigned to her inevitable dissolution, but just maybe she'll find a reason to hold herself together a little while longer. The anthology is available through ZNB's website no pressure, of course, but if you do have the spoons to pick up a copy, or even just to spread the word, your support would mean a lot to me.
I'm terrified of social media, but with the help of peer pressure, I recently overcame that enough to finally create a Bluesky account (@esimonleack.bsky.social). Following me is incredibly easy, because I don't leave my house much, I'm slow, and I rarely look over my shoulder.
I'm lucky to know and be friends with too many talented writers to promote them individually. Instead, I want to give a shoutout to the wonderful communities I'm part of. To everyone in the Clarion West Accountabilibuddy Group, my 2025 FFG cohort Yarn, Wordos, and the Radon Journal Discord: You're awesome, and I love you all!