Hello all,
Welcome to the 24nd edition of Women Writing! This week, I’m headed to the Reading for the Love of It Conference in Toronto. Many years ago, as a teacher, I was a conference attendee and loved attending the workshops and browsing the vendor tables. It was a perfect way to spend a few days, surrounded by authors, teachers, and books. This time, I’m an exhibitor. So much has changed for me over the last few years since I retired from teaching high school English, but I still love talking to writers and teachers about books. If you happen to be attending the conference, please do stop by and say hello. Ask me about book coaching. I’m passionate about it, but I promise not to talk your ear off.
I hope you are inspired by this week’s featured author, Carmela Circelli.
About the author…
Carmela Circelli is a Toronto based author and psychotherapist. She also teaches on contract for the Philosophy department at York University. In 2014 Quattro Books published her philosophical memoir "Sweet Nothing: An Elemental Case for Taking our Time. In 2023 her debut novel "Love and Rain" was published by Guernica Editions.
“If you feel that writing is essential to your life, then find whatever routine works for you, and simply do it. There is no set way to have a writing life.”
On a writing routine …
Because of my busy work life, for years I lamented never having time to write. Then I heard psychoanalyst and prolific writer, Adam Phillips, give a talk at the school where I was trained to be a therapist. In that context he revealed that he only writes one day a week. This finally got me writing. Surely I can set aside one day a week for my writing life, I thought to myself. And so I did.
Both my books were written in this way. I may not necessarily write all day, but it is a day I set aside each week for reflection or writing on whatever project I happen to be working on. The day may vary from week to week, depending on my schedule. But I do try to make it the same day each week, whenever possible.
On writing spaces …
I do most of my writing in a sunroom overlooking the courtyard of the co-op where I live. The courtyard is lined with beautiful trees and there are always children playing or animals scampering about. It has Southern Exposure so it is always very bright. When I am doing research, though, in particular about places, I do try to travel to the places in question, and write on location. For example, in my recent novel 'Love and Rain' there are some sections that are set in Italy, in particular Rome and Amalfi. So I did spend some time in those places, writing as I did research. When I am working at home in my sunroom I do often listen to music while writing. That was especially the case with my last novel as music is an important aspect of the novel. So I listened to the music of the period I was writing about which was specifically the 60s and the 70s. But even when music is not a theme I am working with, I still often have music playing in the background as I write. Music helps me stay open to my feelings which relates to one of the main reasons why I need to write. It's a place where I can work through the emotional and intellectual complexities of life.
On writing communities …
I have belonged to a writing group for many years. And it is enormously helpful, both for the feedback and also the sense of support and community it provides. Writing is such a solitary activity. Being part of a community helps mitigate the isolation required for writing. It also helps to develop confidence and gain perspective on your work.
On challenges …
The reason I always gave myself for not managing to write was, as I've already mentioned, my hectic work life. And while this was true, I think it also just took me many years to build up the confidence to think of myself as a writer. I come from a working class, illiterate background. My parents could not read or write even in their native language of Italian. It was a huge challenge for me to overcome all the insecurities that came with that. I think hearing Adam Phillips speak must have correlated with my psychological readiness as well. I had finally cultivated the mental and physical space for writing in my life. Or at least, was ready to take a leap and try it out.
On the best writing advice …
I suppose the advice that I most appreciate comes from Rilke's book "Letters to a Young Poet." I am summarizing here. But in that context he tells a young poet who has written to him for feedback on his poems to look deep inside himself. And if he discovers that he must write, that writing is a practice essential to his life, then he should continue. If not, he should probably give it up.
On the worst writing advice …
I was once told by a prospective publisher that I needed to bare my soul more in my poetry. I was very confused as I felt the poems in question were about some of the deepest issues I could fathom. They were intimate poems, I thought, but in a philosophical/spiritual sense rather than a personal one. At first I felt bad as I couldn't understand how to take his advice and still stay true to what I wanted to write about. Eventually, I simply realized that perhaps it was he who did not understand what I was trying to do with my poems, and continued on my own writing path.
On advice from personal experiences …
I suppose the advice I would give follows from Rilke's advice to the young poet. That is, if you feel that writing is essential to your life, then find whatever routine works for you, and simply do it. There is no set way to have a writing life.
Carmen’s online spaces …
Do you have a story idea?
If so, join us! We’re taking 12-weeks this spring to focus on our story ideas. Whether you have a drafted novel or memoir or just an idea for a new story, this writing program will help you sort out all of the ideas and prepare you to write or revise.
We’ll work through Author Accelerator’s Blueprint for a Book steps, starting with the foundational question of why you want to write this particular story and working towards an Inside Outline and writing scenes. We’ll meet every Monday from 7:00-8:30 PM via Zoom for a check-in, writing prompt, and mini-lesson, followed by Q & A. You’ll complete and submit a weekly goal and receive a mid-week inspirational post. By the end of the week, you’ll submit a writing task and I’ll give you individual feedback. Join our supportive and encouraging environment and see your story idea blossom.
If this intrigues you, but you’re worried that you haven’t done any writing before, don’t worry. I’ve got you. My courses include first-time writers, writers who have been working for many years, and others who are published. I believe in supporting writers at every stage of the journey. I believe that writing communities can provide the support and encouragement we need to free us from the fear of the blank page.
Check out my website for more information or contact me if you have any questions. I’m happy to help! It’s what I do.
If you’re a teacher, I have something special just for you. Download a free copy of my workbook, Beyond the Blackboard: Empowering Teachers to Write Fiction. You have all the skills you need to learn how to write that book already.
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!