Hello all,
Welcome to the 40th edition of Women Writing!
and I had a wonderful turnout for our Spring Into Memoir Workshop at the South End Greater Sudbury Public Library last week. Our attendees were engaged in learning about the fundamentals of memoir, exploring their ideas through writing prompts, and discussing their own work. What a pleasure it was to learn a little about their work and see them connecting with fellow writers. Of course, there is never enough time to hear from everyone or cover all of the topics. That’s why we’re doing it again. This time, we’ll host a one-day workshop (you can learn a little more about it below). Thank you to everyone who attended. We loved the positive energy and enthusiasm you brought, and the generosity of sharing your ideas.And now, thank you to Kathy Janzen, this week’s featured writer, for generously sharing her writing experiences with readers. Enjoy!
About the author…
Kathy J. Janzen is a wife, mother, and daughter of the King of Kings. She is also a writer, educator, and speaker on the topics of parenting, prayer, spiritual warfare, redemption, and healing. She created Kathy’s Call publishing to write and publish books and journals that encourage and strengthen women in their faith journey. Waging War from Your Knees was the flagship book published in 2023. She also published ten prayer journals in the Waging War series and a line of Christian women’s day planners. This year she completed one young adult fiction book and is working on the next book in the Waging War series. Kathy creates content for both Instagram and YouTube on the topics of bible study, prayer, parenting, and her goofy side. She lives in Southern Alberta, Canada with her husband, Sheldon. They enjoy every minute they get with their children and grandchildren.
“If you are writing for fun just enjoy every step. But if you are wanting this as a career be a professional and hire professionals.”
On a writing routine …
Before 2022, I fit writing around my life. The best strategies I found were set writing times like the 30 minute sessions after work before I started supper or waking early. I also committed to writing weekends with my sister, Jodi Janz, who is also an author and book coach.
In 2022, God called me into full time writing. Now my best time for writing is early in the morning but that depends on what stage am in. Editing, for me, requires more focus over extending periods of time. I just took 6 weeks to complete my final edits on my first fiction book. That was 8-10 hours a day, 4-5 days a week, during that period. My husband was very glad when I sent it to the editors and he started getting hot meals again. With all the demands of a full time career in writing, I find I have to schedule times and seasons for writing. It is very easy to fill my time with marketing and sales and these activities often keep me from writing. This year I have scaled back from doing markets and online sales events so that I can refocus on writing.
On writing spaces …
I am a paper girl at heart. I start my projects on poster paper with large mind maps that line my walls. From there I use sticky notes to outline and play with the order and structure. My first drafts are either on my laptop in the sun or in my office. But any heavy writing or editing stages happen at my desk. I have a small room set up with bookshelves and a large desk with two screens. At my desk I have colourful flowers, houseplants, and pictures of my family.
On writing communities …
My sister and I started attending a local yearly writing conference about ten years ago. I love these! I love being in the company of writers, publishers, and editors. I found my people! I am an introvert at heart, so I find weekly meetings of writing groups overwhelming, but once a year, for three full days, I immerse myself in that world. I also love writing buddies or critique partners, though it takes time to find the right match. These connections are powerful and encouraging when they work.
On challenges …
“I am not a multitasker,” I declared to my husband one night and to my shock, he laughed. This was not a surprise to him.
My first year of writing full time was easy, with my entire focus on creating. Once the book was done, I needed to learn the publishing world, book layout, marketing, but these were all research-based activities I love. Then I needed to step out of my bubble and began creating on social media, attended local events, selling my books at markets, and connecting with local authors. These activities took precious energy and focus away from writing. After six months of not writing and publishing, because these other tasks took precedence, I took a break. I pulled out of regular social media posting and didn't join local markets. This allowed me time this year to outline the next book in my Waging War series and write my first novel.
I am still learning how to balance these two worlds. Finding time to write isn’t always about the physical space and minutes, often it is the ability to move efficiently between these two extreme facets of the life of an author.
On the best writing advice …
Write the next book. I heard this advice from an award-winning author before I even finished my first book. I was in a conference setting when a woman asked how to keep marketing her first book. The author's answer was simple and straightforward. Write the next book. The speaker paused for several moments before explaining her answer. She said an author is never known by one book, it is the body of work that defines an author. That stuck with me.
On the worst writing advice …
Start with beta readers. I wrote a book several years ago and with this piece of advice I set to work immediately compiling a group of beta readers. What a disaster. I was not prepared for the onslaught of competing opinions. Now I research, write, edit, and then have a professional editor polish my book before I get beta readers. That might go against most publishing advice out there, but it works for me and my fragile ego (a terrible asset for an author). I know I will always get competing opinions on my work but if I am sure of my message, research, and the quality of writing then I am better able to handle these comments.
![Book Cover Waging War from My Knees Book Cover Waging War from My Knees](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F41bf9668-8c3d-4be3-9aa8-2d2cadb1c3f4_1080x1350.png)
On advice from personal experiences …
If you are writing for fun just enjoy every step. But if you are wanting this as a career be a professional and hire professionals. Learn, study, improve your craft and then hire professionals to complete your work. Ensure that your work is high quality before you hit the publish button. Finding the right professionals takes time and unfortunately money. Every business requires investment and writing is no exception.
On a recent publication …
I just sent my fiction book, Blood Red Pure White, to the editor for final edits. For this book I will be looking for a traditional publishing contract so I am learning about that world right now.
Kathy’s online spaces …
Mini Memoir Retreat
Sudbury and area writers, did you miss our Spring Into Memoir Workshop in June? Don’t worry! Dinah Laprairie 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.
Limited Spots Available:
I have a few spots left for 1:1 book coaching this summer (group book coaching resumes in the fall). I primarily work with women who write literary, historical, or women’s fiction, young adult, or memoir and love working with new and developing writers.
Plan Your Story: 1 spot available for someone who wants to develop their story idea and outline their book before writing
Write or Revise Your Story: 2 spots available for writers who want to get words on the page or revise an early draft with feedback and support
If you’re interested in working with me on your novel or memoir, contact me for a free discovery call and see if we’re a good fit. More than anything, you want to feel comfortable and supported by your book coach. You’re sharing your book baby, after all.
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.