Hello all,
Welcome to the 37th edition of Women Writing! If you’re in the Sudbury region, my Rekindle Creativity Writing Retreat co-host
and I are hosting Spring Into Memoir, a memoir writing workshop, at the Greater Sudbury Public Library (South End Branch). Through a series of writing activities, you’ll gain clarity on your memoir project, just in time for prime summer writing season. We’d love to see you there! Register at https://bit.ly/Spring-Into-Memoir.This week’s featured author is Vanessa Ricci-Thode. Enjoy her words of wisdom and be inspired by how Vanessa creates time and space for writing.
About the author…
Vanessa Ricci-Thode is a word sorceress and fantasy author whose life seldom strays from the world of books, especially during winter hibernation. Even her volunteer work revolves around the literary world, currently as co-founder and events director of KW Writers Alliance. She has five fantasy novels published, including four books of the Fireborn series, as well as a book of writing advice called Word Sorcery 101. When she’s not being bookish, she’s into astronomy, hiking, gardening, and has a personal goal to visit all the national parks. Don’t ask her about her love of trees unless you’ve got some time. She loves Halloween and hates to be cold. Vanessa lives in Waterloo (no, the other one) with her spouse, daughter, and dogs, where she can be found in her butterfly garden, achieving her final form as a garden witch.
“If writing every day or outlining or not outlining or writing before breakfast or whatever advice you've heard doesn't work for you, then don't do it. Find what works for you.”
On a writing routine …
I haven't had a writing routine since I was a teen when I used to write late into the night (sometimes until 3 am) after the rest of my family had gone to bed. Since then, despite generally being well-organized, my writing routine is chaotic. Up until the pandemic started, I did most of my writing in November for NaNoWriMo and a bit more writing through the summer months. I can write just about any time of day when I'm gripped by an idea, though I still prefer writing later in the evening, especially once my daughter has gone to bed. Generally, I'm a binge-writer, letting hobbies, chores and most responsibilities fall to the wayside until I finish a draft. Since the pandemic began, I've had burnout and mental health issues that have made writing extremely difficult, even with an abundance of time for it. I now have to make a lot more time for writing and have a lot more focus than I used to. I can't edit one book while drafting another. I need to do one thing at a time to completion. And with burnout, I often have to do nothing related to writing and focus on other interests. Having my progress slowed like this is frustrating, but trying to push through only makes it worse.
On writing spaces …
I have a home office where I do most of my writing. Very rarely, I will co-write with friends in cafes or at the library. My office is a comfortable place full of things that bring me joy, like artwork and my collection of weird houseplants. In the evenings, the room is lit by a long string of fairy lights zig-zagging across the ceiling. There’s a couch in the room that often contains one of my napping dogs. I spend about a third of my work day at my desk and the rest in my recliner. I have chronic pain, so I have a cobbled together ergonomic space to keep my laptop screen elevated while I use a wireless keyboard to type. It looks weird but keeps me comfortable.
On writing communities …
I belong to several writing groups and organizations. I’m a SFWA member, and there are weekly virtual cowriting opportunities that help me connect with other authors in my genre and give me dedicated time to write. I’m also a local organizer for writing groups, formerly with NaNoWriMo and now with my focus on KW Writers Alliance, which I co-founded. In creating opportunities for other local authors, I create them for myself as well, and I get to meet fascinating locals I otherwise wouldn’t connect with. Involvement in the local writing community is also how I met my critique group, which pushes me to keep advancing my craft.
On challenges …
Definitely. In addition to health issues previously mentioned, I often have obligations that cut into my writing time. From the time my daughter was born until she was a preschooler and more independent, I rarely had any time to write at all. Even though she's a teen now and far more independent, she remains my priority. My family is accommodating of my writing time, but I still prefer to do it when they're at work/school or asleep. As I age, having the energy to write later at night gets more challenging, even if I'm still a night owl.
On the best writing advice …
Writing rules are more like suggestions and it's more important to do what works for my process and my story than to mold myself to someone else's ideals.
On the worst writing advice …
Write every day. Even if we're only talking weekdays, it's too much pressure and quickly becomes exhausting. It makes writing feel like a chore. I get too hard on myself for missing a day when I try to write daily. I write when I can. I write when I have time and when I'm excited about what I'm working on.
On advice from personal experiences …
Find the process that works for you and whatever you're working on. Don't worry about trying to be like everyone else. If writing every day or outlining or not outlining or writing before breakfast or whatever advice you've heard doesn't work for you, then don't do it. Find what works for you.
Vanessa’s online spaces …
What is the most frequently asked question I get from writers?
Inevitably, while I’m at a book event or meeting up with a group of writers, someone will ask me, “How do I get my manuscript done?” They’re not asking about craft, they’re asking about how to prioritize themselves in their busy schedules so they can finish that book already. Here are a few of my favourite tips:
Schedule yourself into your day. Sounds simple, right? But, as busy people, we often add the writing if we can find time. Block space in your day or week like you would any other appoint.
Set deadlines or word counts. Self-imposed deadlines are important markers of progress. Some people like to have a daily or weekly word count goal, while others have due dates for number of chapters or other goal posts. Deadlines keep us accountable to ourselves.
Join a writing community. If you don’t have one in your community, create one or find one online. There are writers all over the world yearning for connection with other writers doing the work. Support one another.
Hire a book coach. A book coach can help you not only with craft, but with all the obstacles you face while trying to complete your manuscript. Accountability, support, encouragement, and a shoulder to cry on are just some of the many things a book coach can provide to writers.
Join my Summer Writing Camp. Give yourself some scheduled writing time, set weekly writing goals, and interact with a supportive writing community. I want you to prioritize yourself and finish the summer feeling great about meeting your writing goals.
Summer Writing Camp
Zoom sessions July 1 - August 21 (8 weeks)
Mondays 9:00-10:30 AM; Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 PM (attend one or both sessions)
Weekly goal setting & check in
Minimum two 25-minute writing sprints per session
Encouragement & accountability
Supportive writing community
Optional feedback on pages (additional fees apply)
Cost $160 (+tax)
Use the contact form on my website or email liisabookcoach@gmail.com to join the wait list.
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 admire people who are willing to facilitate opportunities for others to write—it’s such a generous act! Even if it also gives you a built-in writing “date”!