Hello all,
Welcome to the 34th edition of Women Writing! I’ve just returned from a whirlwind trip to New York with a group of fifty high school students, most of whom were going to the States for the first time. The early morning departure wasn’t the best part, nor was the fifteen hour bus ride, but seeing New York through the eyes of these students for the first time was so inspiring. Our two days were jam packed with the sights, sounds, scents, textures, and tastes of New York. It was like a sampler menu giving you little bits of the things New York has to offer, but leaving you hungry for more. It was a good reminder, too, of why travelling is so important. Some of our students have never left the province before and everything was shiny and new for them. I couldn’t help but feel energized by their excitement and awe. And, of course, the people watching opportunities abounded, leaving me with loads of interactions and conversations to weave into my fiction. Sitting down to write is essential, as is reading widely, but getting out there, really experiencing places, is vital to the life of a writer.
Please enjoy reading about this week’s featured author, Kathy Otten.
About the author…
Kathy Otten is the published author of multiple historical romance novels and short stories. Her Civil War romance novel A Place in Your Heart was a 2016 RWA Northwest Houston Chapter, Lone Star Winner and her western novel Lost Hearts, was a 2008 Utah/Salt Lake RWA Hearts of the West finalist. Her newest novel, The Solace of Denim, a young adult, paranormal mystery was released in June by Dragonfly Publishing, Inc. Kathy has been writing and making up stories as long as she can remember. Her first short story, “Redemption of a Cavalier” was published in 2006 and she has been moving forward ever since. Recently, Kathy became a certified book coach and now helps clients bring their writing vision to life. She also teaches classes on writing craft both on-line and in person at workshops and conferences. When she’s not writing, she enjoys walking her German shepherd through the woods and fields near her home or curling up with a good book and her cat.
“Everyone needs to know why they want to write, because that understanding will be the catalyst which keeps them in the chair carving out time to do the work.”
On a writing routine …
I don't have an actual routine. I make plans, then change them, and change them again as life happens. My part-time job is one in which I never know when I have to go into work until 6:00 am, so plans for that day are merged into the next available day. Then I have freelance work which may pop up here and there, as well as opportunities to present workshops or attend author or crafter events where I sell books. I usually spend an hour or so each day (hopefully first thing in the morning) going through my emails and working on my schedule, adjusting as needed. I try not to work in the evenings. Those are for relaxing, Zoom calls, critique meetings, and scrambling to meet deadlines. Saturdays are mostly for laundry, cleaning, mowing grass, and catching up on the work I didn't finish during the week. Sundays are totally mine. Sleep past 6:00 am, go to the dog park, and write for me. I'm retired and divorced, so family time, except for holidays and other events (i.e., my grandson's baseball games), is minimal. I do walk the dog every day, but I use that time for brainstorming, so that could count as writing time. I used to stress over not being able to follow a routine, but I think I've gotten to the point in my life where I've learned to go with the flow.
On writing spaces …
When my kids were little and my husband and I were dairy farming, I used to write at the kitchen table when they were napping. After we sold the cows and the kids were in school I created a space in the corner of the back porch, but it was extremely cramped and cold. Now that I have my own place, I made an office out of the spare bedroom. I love it; everything is organized and I feel good about myself because I accomplish things and feel like being a writer is who I am.
On writing communities …
I've been incredibly lucky in that respect. About eighteen years ago I joined Pennwriters, Inc. and became a part of Area One. When first joined I had no idea what point-of-view was.
On the best writing advice …
Chuck Sambuchino came to one of our critique meetings many years ago and someone asked him this same question. He replied simply, "Put down the remote." It's about making a choice to do the work. There are only so many hours in the day and finding time to write involves making a choice: TV or write. I remember Elmore Leonard saying one time in an interview that back in his early days he would get up at 5:00 am everyday and write for an hour before leaving for work. When I worked from the back porch which was off the kitchen, I would jump back and forth between put cookies into the oven, write for 10 minutes, then back to the cookies. In the end, it depends how much you want it.
On the worst writing advice …
I did receive some criticism once from my ex who read some of my rough draft work, and it was so hurtful, I felt like garbage, that maybe I shouldn't chase the dream and instead be focused on my family and raising my kids. I've gotten over it for the most part, but even after all these years it still hurts to think about what was said.
On advice from personal experiences …
Hard to say, because everyone is in different places in their work and personal lives, and everyone has different skills and knowledge about craft. I suppose everyone needs to know why they want to write, because that understanding will be the catalyst which keeps them in the chair carving out time to do the work.
Kathy’s online spaces …
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Happy writing!
Women Writing is a weekly newsletter featuring women who are doing the difficult work of writing. If you enjoyed reading the newsletter, please share it with a fellow writer. Let’s inspire each other!
Liisa Kovala is an Author Accelerator certified book coach. She is the author of Sisu’s Winter War (Latitude 46, 2022) and Surviving Stutthof: My Father’s Memories Behind the Death Gate (Latitude 46, 2017). Her short stories and creative non-fiction have been published in a variety of anthologies and literary magazines. Liisa is a member of The Writers’ Union of Canada, Canadian Authors Association, and past-president of Sudbury Writers’ Guild. Visit liisakovala.com.
Yikes, put down the remote. Or the phone! Ouch, that hits! 🤣