About this story
Hauts-de-France, France - A 77-year-old author and two-time cancer survivor, Bernard has remained deeply curious and creative. Alongside navigating two separate cancer diagnoses, prostate cancer and lung cancer, writing became one of the most important tools he used to process his experiences, maintain perspective and build resilience.
Writing as Therapy
Bernard has always kept a diary, and it’s a habit he has never given up. Keeping a journal allowed him to put his thoughts into words and create a space for reflection amid the uncertainty of diagnosis and treatment. It became a way to externalize emotions, make sense of difficult experiences and regain a sense of clarity.
From diary to novels, his words helped write out cancer.
From Diary to Fiction
Some of the characters in Bernard’s novels resemble him. His personal experiences, including those related to cancer, find their way into his creative work. Rather than writing directly about himself, he draws on aspects of his life and transforms them into fiction.
Advice to Aspiring Writers
Bernard repeatedly encourages people to start writing without worrying about structure or perfection. Before writing, there are two essential questions to ask: why do I want to write? What do I want to say?
