We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Bannor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chris, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I just published my first novel, The Bleeding City. I’ve spent a lot of time writing short stories and editing anthologies, so this is my first novel-length project on my own. I began writing it in 2022, but had to put it aside for other things. It’s been a labor of love, and I’m so thrilled to finally have it out in the world.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I write LGBTQIA+ science fiction and fantasy. I’m also the Program Coordinator for the Temecula Valley Writers & Illustrators. It’s amazing because I get to take my love of writing and pair it with a life-long passion for learning and teaching.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I think the one thing that has made my journey so much better in the last few years is learning about my local community of creatives. For so many artists, we hear that what we do is solitary. I have never been so productive or creative as I have since I found my writing community, though. Sometimes you have to go looking for it. Sometimes you have to create it yourself. But the advantage of having a network of creatives it well worth the effort.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I think the life and career of an artist is all about the pivot. The most successful people know that when something isn’t working, you have to change things up and try something new. When I began as a writer, I focused on writing short stories so I could learn more about the business and the craft. For me, though, after spending time in that sphere, I knew I needed to move on to other projects. Being able to step back, take account of my strengths and weaknesses, and refocusing on new goals is a skill that I think benefits everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chrisbannor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisbannor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.bannor.9
- Other: Threads – https://www.threads.com/@chrisbannor
BlueSky – https://bsky.app/profile/chrisbannor.bsky.social
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisbannor
