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From Critical Care to Creative Triumph: Cynthia Stock's Journey to Best of the Net Nomination
by Writing Workshops Staff
A month ago
After four decades as a critical care nurse, Cynthia Stock has always understood the power of stories—the ones whispered in hospital corridors, the moments between life and death, the resilience of the human spirit. Now retired from nursing, she's channeling those experiences into compelling creative nonfiction and autofiction that's earning national recognition.
Stock's recent piece, "Love in the Time of Dementia," published in Susurrus Magazine, was nominated for the publication's 2026 Best of the Net—a milestone that made her feel, as she puts it, "like a writer in that moment."
But the path to that recognition wasn't instantaneous. Stock submitted to Susurrus multiple times, each rejection only strengthening her resolve. Drawing on submission strategies learned in classes with instructors Meg Gabbert and Blake Kimzey at WritingWorkshops.com, Stock crafted cover letters that demonstrated her determination. "I told the editor I was determined to place a piece in his journal," she recalls. That persistence, combined with the craft skills honed through numerous workshops, finally paid off.
Finding Community in the Craft
Before discovering WritingWorkshops.com, Stock's writing life was lonely. Now, she describes it as thriving in a community. Throughout her extensive studies in fiction, autofiction, and the art of submission, she encountered instructors who each left an indelible mark on her work.
Blake Kimzey set the standard for constructive critiquing and feedback. Victoria Costello opened the door to autofiction, a hybrid form that would become central to Stock's artistic practice. Chaya Bhuvaneswar provided feedback that helped Stock believe in her own voice. Jenny Bhatt taught her the invaluable skill of cutting unnecessary prose to reveal the essential story beneath.
"Through the workshops, I learned I am not alone in this pursuit," Stock reflects, "and I appreciated that just writing one novel was enough to call myself an author."
A Work in Progress: Life and Death Matters
Stock is currently immersed in organizing and polishing Life and Death Matters, a hybrid collection of creative nonfiction and autofiction based on her nursing career. The stories weave together the personal and professional life of a nurse navigating epidemics, advancing medical technology, and profound personal challenges. It's a project that keeps her up at night in the best possible way.
Her work has appeared in Memoryhouse, Lunch Ticket, BigCityLit, Shark Reef, Susurrus, and other publications. She also published "Vertigo" in Memoir Mixtapes. As an artist, Stock considers herself a work in progress—a fitting description for someone who approaches writing with the same dedication she once brought to critical care.
The Daily Discipline
When asked about her secret weapon for pushing through difficult writing periods, Stock's answer is refreshingly straightforward: "I pledge myself to write 250 words a day. If I absolutely cannot produce, I read." For her, writing has become as essential as brushing her teeth or exercising—she feels deprived without it.
Her advice to writers considering a workshop? "I have never taken one workshop where I didn't come away with a new skill or way of improving my writing."
Join Our Thriving Writing Community
Cynthia Stock's journey from isolation to community, from aspiring writer to Best of the Net nominee, illustrates the transformative power of dedicated instruction and peer support. At WritingWorkshops.com, we offer online classes in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and the business of publishing—all designed to help you develop your craft and find your voice.
Whether you're just beginning your writing journey or looking to take your work to the next level, our expert instructors and supportive community are here to help you thrive. Explore our online creative writing workshops and discover the class that's right for you.
