According to Drew Hayden Taylor, you can’t make someone a good writer. They either are one, or they aren’t.

But as the new writer-in-residence in Ryerson’s department of English, the accomplished contemporary Canadian storyteller plans to offer words of wisdom to any students looking to follow a similar career path in the art of writing.

Taylor was born and raised in Curve Lake First Nations, just north of Peterborough, Ont. He grew up listening to and telling stories, but was discouraged to pursue his talent as a profession.

“I remember asking my Grade 12 English teacher if it was possible to make a living as a creative writer and he said ‘no,’” said Taylor. “And that kind of took the wind out of my sails.”

But Taylor says he can’t do anything else – writing is his main talent – and he has gone on to write for about half a dozen television series, has had 23 books published, and was the artist director of Canada’s premiere Native theatre company, Native Earth Performing Arts. And that’s just scratching the surface.

“I am one of those rare breeds of animals that is a professional writer,” Taylor says.

When it comes to his role as writer-in-residence at Ryerson, Taylor plans to not only participate in English lectures, but also plans to  make make himself available to students who have questions or quandaries about writing.

And although he takes a very realistic approach to the idea of making a living from creative writing, he also sees the importance in encouraging young writers to at least make an attempt to do so.

“Much like any profession it takes a while to get yourself going, but in the end, if that’s what makes you happy, you have to go and do it,” Taylor said.

“I know too many people who have unpublished novels and unseen plays that don’t have the willpower to show people.”

And more than anything, experience is what Taylor says makes it possible for someone to develop into a good writer.

“Observation. Studying the world around you. How people act. How people react. If you spend all your time in your basement you’re not going to have much to write about,” Taylor said. 

“You need to go out there and enjoy the world.”