Hello all,
Welcome to the 41st edition of Women Writing! This past year, as I’ve focussed on helping other writers develop their projects through book coaching, I’ve struggled to do the kind of work I regularly ask my clients to do, including developing my Blueprint and Inside Outline, both Author Accelerator tools for planning a novel. It’s not that I don’t have an idea; I have lots of them. But I felt pulled in several directions, sometimes all at once, and found my own work to be at the end of the long to-do list and often relegated to the do-later list. What I know for sure is I’m not as mentally fit to do anything if I’m not attending to myself, including physically, through walking and yoga, and mentally, through reading and writing. After a very brief deliberation, I decided to get someone who does what I do for other writers and it’s already a game changer. I had my first Zoom call last week with my book coach, writer and book coach
, and I’m already feeling so much more clarity on my project. There’s nothing like having deadlines to meet your goals, someone to discuss ideas with, and a fresh set of eyes on the page. Book coaches like Kim know all about the creative process, including the fears, the doubts, and the joys of writing. I couldn’t clone myself, but having Kim in my corner is the next best thing. And, guess what? My Blueprint is done, and so is the first draft of my Inside Outline, plus I have the first twenty pages of a first draft ready to submit for feedback. Will I be able to sustain my productivity on this, my fifth manuscript and fourth historical novel? I’ll keep you posted.And now to today’s featured writer and editor, Brenna Bailey. I hope you enjoy her insights into fitting writing into a very busy schedule.
About the author…
Brenna Bailey writes queer contemporary romance and owns an editing business called Bookmarten Editorial. If her nose isn't buried in a book, you can probably find her out in the woods somewhere admiring plants or attempting to identify birds. She is a starry-eyed traveler and a home baker, and she lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her game-loving spouse and their cuddly fur-baby. Her Juniper Creek Golden Years series is now complete and available wherever you buy books!
“Know what success looks like for you, and build your career around that. Also, don't be afraid to shift your goals and your process. Your life will change and you will grow as a person, and your writing will need to reflect that.”
On a writing routine …
I don't have much of a writing routine, honestly. I work full-time as an editor, I'm a part-time caretaker for my grandmother who has Alzheimer's, and I try to make myself available to spend time with my family whenever I can. So I usually end up writing before bed when everyone is winding down, or if I have an hour or two free in the afternoon. I eventually want to make writing my primary career and write in the mornings, but until then, I'll make it work!
On writing spaces …
I'm as flexible with my writing space right now as I am with my writing routine. Sometimes I write in bed, sometimes from a chair in the living room, sometimes at my desk in my office, sometimes outside on the deck. No matter where I write, I like to be either in a quiet space or surrounded by the sounds of nature. I can't write to music, especially music with words. Specifically for editing, I prefer working at my desk because my brain knows what mode to switch into there.
On writing communities …
I'm a member of ALLi and ACES (more for editing), but I don't interact much with other members there. My most meaningful writing community comes from the network I've built over my years of editing. I'm in two different mastermind groups with editors and writers who support me in so many ways. We share our weekly goals with each other, we provide help when it's needed, we share our wins and cheer each other on. Writing seems like a solo activity, but creating art ultimately takes an entire community.
On challenges …
I have definitely faced challenges when making space for writing! The primary challenge for me has been finances. Editing is my main source of income, but I want to shift to writing full-time. So, right now, I have to put enough time toward editing to pay the bills, but I also have to put enough time in my writing to grow my author business. I also don't want to ignore other aspects of life that mean a lot to me (e.g., family time, climbing, kayaking). Making time for writing means being flexible and adaptable, and knowing what success looks like for me.
On the best writing advice …
The best piece of writing advice I've received is to do what works for me. There is so much advice out there about what you "should" do or how you "should" write, and it can be difficult to figure out what actually works. Realizing that I don't have to listen to all of it—that I can write my own way and build my career the way I want—was freeing. Whenever I (inevitably) compare myself to another writer, I remind myself that of course I'm doing things differently because I'm doing what works for me.
On the worst writing advice …
The worst piece of writing advice I've received is to write every single day. That might work for some people, but it definitely doesn't work for me. It's unrealistic (and frankly unhealthy) to expect myself to write when I'm uninspired or extra busy or burnt out. I need to take breaks, and the biggest part of my writing process is thinking about my stories before I write them. Instead of writing every day, I write in bursts. For example, I'll write almost every day while I'm working on a specific project, but then I might not write for weeks or months. That's much more sustainable for me.
On advice from personal experiences …
Know what success looks like for you, and build your career around that. Also, don't be afraid to shift your goals and your process. Your life will change and you will grow as a person, and your writing will need to reflect that.
On a recent publication …
My most recent publication is Forever in Flowers, the fourth and final book in the Juniper Creek Golden Years series. I'm currently working on another Juniper Creek romance, except this one features much younger characters. There will be cameos from the other series, though!
Brenna’s online spaces …
Mini Memoir Retreat
Did you miss our Spring Into Memoir Workshop in June? Don’t worry!
and I have a one-day Mini Memoir Retreat happening at Fielding Park, Greater Sudbury, on Wednesday, August 14 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Don’t forget to brink a notebook or laptop and your lunch. We’ll provide coffee, tea, and snacks. Get ready for a full day of writing prompts, craft talk and writing time.Investment: $99+ HST
👉Register at Mini Memoir Retreat
If you have any questions, please contact us at rekindlecreativity@gmail.com.
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 and liisakovalabookcoach.com.