Welcome to the ever-evolving world of Pam Bustin online.

My desire is to honour and support the genius of everyone who lands here on this page and thereby steps into my life.  Hello hello hello.

My calling is two-fold, to do my own work as an artist and to tend to other writers and their stories because I believe that stories save lives. Stories teach us how to survive this earth walk and maybe even… whatever comes next.

If you are devoted to doing the work to write deep and wide, then you’ve come to the right place.

If you find yourself lost in the woods with a story – I might be able to help you find the path out. If you yearn to take the first step towards developing a writing practice, or starting that first book, I would love to accompany you for a time on your journey.

Let’s chat.

Who am I that you’d want to hitch your canoe up to mine for a stretch?

I’m a novelist/playwright/all round scribbler living with my sweet Raggedy Man in a wee house on the shores of the Kebsquasheshing River in Northern Ontario, Canada. We have no indoor plumbing, but we’ve got power, a phone, and high-speed internet.  A girl has to have priorities. This is where I lay out my offerings as a Story Tender and blog about my life as a writer.

My first novel, Mostly Happy, was published by Thistledown Press.  It won some awards, which was GRAND.

Life took a few twists and turns, but here we are in 2022 and I am about to embark on the adventure of querying agents for a brand new novel!  HUZZAH! This is due the support and guidance of Pat Dobie – a fellow writer and Editor (Lucid Edit) who has been invaluable for me. Working with Pat re-ignited both my creative soul and my desire to PAY IT FORWARD and continue to be of use to other writers.

In 2020, I created my business, Soul Stories, as a way for me to walk alongside other writers as they bring their stories to the world.

For me, this work is about more than one writing project. It’s about how we live in this world as artists. I strive to create a space of wonder and devotion.   A space where you will feel safe and supported so that you can grow and stretch as a writer and take your work to the next level.

I believe that the work we do, the PRACTICE of writing is sacred, but the words on the page are not.  Meaning that we must be devoted to finding the strongest, clearest line to our reader’s heart.

I believe that the story belongs to the author and that their voice is not to be tampered with. I’m not here to FIX your story. I am here to help you see it’s true potential and to support you as you do the work of making it the best/strongest/ tale you can.

When our work together is done, I will send you off with the satisfaction of a job well done and a sense of sovereignty as the author of your own work and your life as an artist.

Take a look around. You’ll find some samples of my work, some resources and the ways that I am currently working with writers.  If you feel a pull to come closer and work with me, drop me a line and we can get the conversation started.

WRITING RESOURCES

For those looking to improve their careers and craft.

WORK WITH ME

I currently offer one-on-one mentoring, weekly Writing Circles via zoom, developmental and line editing for Fiction and Non Fiction and dramaturgical feedback on plays. I offer free Sample Edits or a 30 minute free consultation in order to find the best way to support you and your writing.

READ MY WORK

I’ve come to see that my stories and plays are my way of creating maps – to lead myself and others out of the dark.

It’s the best way I know to spend this “one wild and precious life.”