Hello all,
Welcome to the 44th edition of Women Writing! It’s week two of my Summer Writing Camp with a small and dedicated group of writers who show up to do the work and put themselves on their busy schedules. I love seeing their progress and am inspired by their enthusiasm. Most of all, I am reminded that writers need community. Whether you meet with writing classmates, a writing group, or a couple of friends in a café over coffee, cherish what individuals bring to the table and know that you’re a stronger writer for being part of your community.
Today, I’m pleased to feature fellow Sudbury Writers’ Guild member and author Emily Andrews in Women Writing.
About the author…
Emily Andrews is from Northern Ontario. Her publication credits include her memoir of postpartum depression Second-Rate Goddess, a chapbook of short stories called The Fates of Three and a short story in the book Redwing Speculative Fiction. She loves reading as much as writing and plays story-based video games. She has a BA in English from Athabasca University. Her idea of fun is hanging out with her partner and son.
“Write for you; the audience will come later.”
On a writing routine …
I remember there being a time where I couldn't stop writing. I could do it multiple times a day for hours. It filled the black hole in my chest with passion and a desire to keep on.
Then, I developed Functional Neurological Disorder and writing no longer became fun. In my mind, if I couldn't keep up my previous pace, what was the point?
I met a wise man with the same condition who said "FND loves routine. You can use that to help you cope."
So, I'll do my dishes then write for 10 minutes and take a little break. If I'm still feeling good, I'll do another chore and write for 10 minutes. On a good day, I can keep it up for hours. I am slowly learning to be kinder to myself and remember that this used to be my happy place.
On writing spaces …
When I wrote my memoir, I had to have the YouTube channel Good Mythical Morning on while I rewrote drafts. I don't have a good reason why; it just sort of happened. I usually write in bed or in the car while my husband is shore fishing. I like to eliminate too much clutter around me because I start to feel overwhelmed with ideas of new stories based on what catches my eye.
On writing communities …
I have been a part of the Sudbury Writer's Guild for 5 years and it has meant the world to me. I credit them with the completion of my chapbook of short stories. Being in the presence of other creative people, no matter where they are in their process, is invigorating and freeing. I needed to be surrounded by unbridled imagination to remember that there was no wrong way to write.
On challenges …
Even with the schedule I've set up for myself, I need extra help. I feel incredible guilt for doing something I love when I can do something productive; especially when I have limited energy. My husband and son have been great with trying to let me carve out time for myself, but it's not always easy, especially when I want to use a day to write and may have a bad day the next and not be able to even take care of certain daily needs. Everything is an intricate balancing act.
On the best writing advice …
I had to remind myself that I can't worry about what other people think. I had so many false starts with my memoir because "what if mom reads this." I couldn't be as honest as I wanted with that swirling in my brain, and that was what was most important to me.
A great Sudbury writer from the Guild also told me, "Just keep writing." I think that may be the best advice of all.
On the worst writing advice …
I went to a talk given by a representative of Penguin Publishing. The advertisement promised insider knowledge of the industry.
The theme was actually "don't bother." He said getting into bookstores was difficult, let alone big box stores. He said his slush pile just gets deleted sometimes. He said there was no point.
I actually walked out of the talk and was happier for it. I looked at smaller publishing houses and self-publishing. I don't want riches; I want readers.
On advice from personal experiences …
People will pigeonhole you and critique you if you write outside of typically "female" genres.
People will chastise you if you write in that genre or for women (my memoir was for anyone who had given birth, but definitely from a cis-woman perspective). I was, in the other person's eyes, "eliminating half the population" as an audience.
I'm still miffed when I think about it.
Write for you; the audience will come later.
On a recent publication …
I am working on my first novel. It is about a teenage girl in the 90s trying to navigate the online world of predators. I am trying to give it an 80s/90s girl power vibe.
Emily’s online spaces …
Mini Memoir Retreat
Join Dinah Laprairie and me at Fielding Memorial Park in Sudbury, Ontario on Wednesday, August 14 from 9:30-4:00 PM. We’re excited to offer this full day writing workshop with a focus on memoir.
Participate in writing prompts designed to uncover your story, craft discussions related to memoir, and focussed writing time. Bring a laptop or notebook and pen, and your lunch. We’ll provide coffee, tea, and snacks.
👉Register at https://bit.ly/4cuRKRn.
If you have any questions, please contact us at rekindlecreativity@gmail.com.
We’re also busy planning our next Rekindle Creativity Women’s Writing Retreat for Fall 2024. Stay tuned for details coming soon!
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.
“I don't want riches; I want readers.” Yes! I’ve found so many of those “insider perspective” panels depressing—and I think it’s deliberate, as they try to weed out people whose work would “clutter up” their inbox! But there are many ways to feel fulfilled as a writer!!!