Ben Charland
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bencharland.bsky.social
Ben Charland
@bencharland.bsky.social
Writer, communications consultant and English / Creative Writing instructor based in Whitehorse, Yukon. “Walking Down the Street Naked” is my weekly Substack. Working on a novel when my wife and two toddlers let me…

Visit and learn more at bencharland.com
Canada is worth fighting for. Here's why. #canada #elxn45
Canada is Worth Fighting For
Our country is not perfect. But it is ours.
bencharland.substack.com
April 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
"I am writing a novel". This is a pretty fun post about the back and forth struggle of writing, sharing, creating and smacking heads against walls. What changes when you state that all out loud? #writing #creativewriting #novel
I am writing a novel
And other things you don't want to hear
bencharland.substack.com
April 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This history of the Hudson's Bay Company by Stephen R. Bown is even more relevant with the company's collapse. Understanding history helps us make sense of the present. I wrote about the book, & my own experiences canoeing across #Canada, a few months ago on my #Substack.

#CanadianHistory #HBC
History isn't boring anymore
Canoes, Canada, the how history explains the present
bencharland.substack.com
April 17, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Some thoughts and advice on starting a podcast, a form that is still going strong — and is arguably now the dominant type of political media. #podcast #podcasting #woego
So you want to start a podcast
Some thoughts and advice
open.substack.com
April 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The quest for the perfect writing hour continues.

I usually agree with the morning consensus... But there's a deeper question: not just what time of day should I try to write, but what state of mind?

#AmWriting #Substack
When should I write?
And can a "history of intelligence" help?
open.substack.com
April 6, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Ever ruined Thanksgiving dessert as a kid? My tale from Mafia Island, Tanzania goes from childhood mischief to a memorable haircut in East Africa. It's about creativity, control, and what happens when you let an artist with scissors have his way. #TravelStories #Tanzania
The Pumpkin Pie Barber
A story from Mafia Island, Tanzania
open.substack.com
April 6, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I read “Elantris” by Brandon Sanderson and thought of the Karate Kid… #karatekid #fantasy #brandonsanderson #film #movie
Elantris and the Karate Kid
How a book could learn from a movie
open.substack.com
December 9, 2024 at 6:14 PM
Dungeons & Dragons
How D&D makes me a better writer
open.substack.com
December 4, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Some thoughts on “Writing and Failure”, a blistering yet refreshing take on what it means to write by @stephenmarche.bsky.social.

#writing #writer #write #canada
Writing and Failure
Thoughts on Stephen Marche's provocative book
open.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 3:50 PM
On AI and Writing: A Faustian Bargain?

#ai #artificialintelligence #writing #write #writers #creativewriting
AI
A Faustian bargain?
open.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 1:59 AM
"The prospect of a world-destroying conflict is not only plausible. It seems inevitable. It’s hard to believe we can keep Pax Atomica going. There are too many hands on too many triggers."

bencharland.substack.com/p/disaster-p... #nuclearwar #writing #substack #anniejacobsen
Disaster Porn or Wake-up Call?
Annie Jacobsen's "Nuclear War: A Scenario"
bencharland.substack.com
November 29, 2024 at 3:19 PM
A Few Tools for Getting Unstuck. #substack #writing #writingtips #write
Unstuck
What do you do when you're stuck?
bencharland.substack.com
November 28, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Want to write a play? I spoke with Dave White on #CBC Airplay about a playwriting class I'm teaching at #YukonU in January. Have a listen and sign up for the course while seats remain!

www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

#playwright #playwriting #writing #whitehorse #yukon #creativewriting #theatre
www.cbc.ca
November 27, 2024 at 6:19 PM
On Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird”. #writing #craft
Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott's book on writing
open.substack.com
November 27, 2024 at 2:21 PM
I wrote a Substack about my poem, "Sunshine Cinema", which won an award from @arcpoetry.bsky.social earlier this year. Check it out! #writing #substack #poetry #poem #newyork #nyc #newyorkcity #sunshinecinema #cinema
Sunshine Cinema
How I wrote the poem
bencharland.substack.com
November 26, 2024 at 5:42 PM
To Rush or Not to Rush? #writing #creativity #stevejobs #substack
To Rush or Not to Rush
Plus some notes about Steve Jobs
open.substack.com
November 25, 2024 at 5:05 PM
Walking Down the Street Naked! @neilhimself.neilgaiman.com #writing #substack
Walking Down the Street Naked
Why I've been afraid to share my writing and what to do about it
open.substack.com
November 24, 2024 at 8:14 PM