Featured Writer: Danila Botha
On creating space to write and writing advice.
Welcome to Women Writing!
About the author…
Danila Botha is the author of three critically acclaimed short story collections, Got No Secrets and For All the Men (And Some of the Women I’ve Known) which was a finalist for the Trillium Book Award, The Vine Awards and the ReLit Award. It will be reissued by Guernica Editions in 2025. Her new collection, Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness was published in 2024 by Guernica Editions. The title story, “Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. It was also named a finalist for the Canadian Book Club Awards, in the Short Story category. She is also the author of the award-winning novel Too Much on the Inside which was optioned for film. Her new novel, A Place for People Like Us, will be published by Guernica Editions in 2025.
On a writing routine …
I do. I write everyday, for at least an hour or two, more if I'm writing to a deadline. On an incredibly productive day, I could sit all day writing (assuming there are no life interruptions, which is hard to guarantee) I also read everyday as part of my practice, whether it's research or inspiring in terms of theme or genre. To be honest, I have three young kids and two dogs, so my best time to write is when everyone is either at school or asleep. I've always loved writing late at night, and that's still true, but mid morning onwards usually works really well for me. I teach too, so I have to stick to a schedule, but writing time is such an unadulterated joy, especially when I'm writing short stories.
“Sometimes the gestation period of a project takes a long time, from early drafts to publication. Be patient with yourself—it will all be worth it when your book is out in the world.”
On writing spaces …
I mostly write at my desk. I'm surrounded by bookshelves of favourite and latest reads, and a great view of the street from the second floor of my house. I do always listen to music, it helps me so much with voice and characterization and being in the mind frame of my characters.
On writing communities …
I have writers who I trust, whose work is amazing who are my first readers and I'm honoured to be theirs. Supporting and encouraging and helping each other is so essential, as is critique and feedback. When you think about how many hours a day we spend alone in front of our computers, the support of other writers is essential. I'm incredibly grateful for the feedback and I always feel honoured to get to read early versions of amazing books by writers whose work I love.
On challenges …
Ha, yes, in the literal sense. My desk is the corner of my bedroom, which is not ideal in many ways but it's a quiet space where I can concentrate, be surrounded by books and most importantly, I can close the door. I used to work in my living room, which has volumes of books but is open concept, and can be entered by anyone at anytime, which is not so conducive to getting work done. Eventually I'd love to have a dedicated writing space. I think it's always hard to have the confidence to make space for and pursue what we really want to pursue, but if it feels essential to who you are, as it does for many of us, we find a way. Sometimes that confidence is built over time (for me it definitely was)
On the best writing advice …
To not be too critical of early drafts, to enjoy the initial experimental phase of something, to not be afraid to try new ideas or try something just to see if it works. I try not to edit too much initially. I try to just give myself space to write things down, and then I go back and edit later. I've always loved this quote by Alison Pick, who said to remember that "every book we've ever read that we love started with a bad first draft." I love the editing process, but if it happens too soon, the kind of self doubt that accompanies it can torpedo a project. It's important to believe in the ideas, in the story and the characters, and to believe in our work ethic when it comes to editing and refining later.
On the worst writing advice …
To abandon short fiction, because it doesn't sell and isn't considered as seriously, and to focus on only writing novels. I heard it a lot early in my career, which worried me at the time. The truth is, I really like novel writing, but I deeply love short fiction, it's my medium. It's my favourite thing to read and to write. I have eleven shelves of nothing but short fiction.
I think in the same way that as people we can only be who we are, we can only write what we naturally write. I'm grateful that my short fiction has found an audience, and I'm grateful that my instinct to ignore that advice was correct.
Another bit of advice I've never loved is "write what you know." A lot of the fun of fiction for me is writing from other perspectives and experiences, exploring what things are like, trying to understand people and their motivations and reasons for doing and saying what they do. I love the research process, I love the imaginative aspects of it. I love that I get to make things up, create characters and worlds that didn't exist. I find it tremendously fun and satisfying.
On advice from personal experiences …
It's hard to balance everything. It's important to be patient with yourself, to give yourself time to experience life. Sometimes the gestation period of a project takes a long time, from early drafts to publication. Be patient with yourself—it will all be worth it when your book is out in the world.
On rekindling creativity …
Walking is very helpful, as is listening to music. Reading and travel are both great. I love to paint and look at art in person as much as I can—I find it very inspiring and generative.
On a recent publication …
My most recent publication is my collection of short stories short stories, Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness which was published by Guernica Editions last April. I have a new novel coming out with Guernica this fall called A Place for People Like Us. I'm currently working on a new short story collection.
Danila’s online spaces …
📚 UPCOMING …
Women Writing Circle
The Women Writing Circle meets on the second and last Monday of the month from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers ($8 USD/month). You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. I’m looking forward to creating a magical writing community with you, and getting some pages written in 2025.
Happy writing!
Question: I thought you were Canadian, Lisa Kovala. Why is upgrading to Paid in U.S. funds? Darlene Madott (writer of www.DyingTimes.com)
I love this day's Featured Writer. Danila Botha has unbounded enthusiasm for writing and life. I saw her present THINGS THAT CAUSE INAPPROPRIATE HAPPINESS at a local bookstore in the Junction along with her publisher Michael Mirolla. Her breathless (and very pregnant) enthusiasm was an indelible experience. It goes without saying, I bought the book. Hats off to Danila, and to Lisa Kovala for featuring her.