Hello all,
Welcome to the 47th edition of Women Writing!
and I took a road trip to Gore Bay on the beautiful Manitoulin Island last week to check out the location of our next writing retreat and we had the best time. Located on Lake Huron’s North Channel, Gore Bay features great local businesses, including Harbour Centre artisan shops, Gore Bay and Western Manitoulin Museum, LocoBeanz Coffee House, Finnia Chocolate and Cacoa, Split Rail Brewing Co., and many others. The views are stunning and the drive from Sudbury spectacular. If you haven’t been to Manitoulin Island, it’s so worth the trip. Gore Bay is only one of many communities you will want to explore. And if you’re looking for a writing retreat this fall in Ontario, check out Rekindle Creativity. We’d love to have you join us!I hope you enjoy learning about this week’s featured author, Emma Dhesi.
About the author…
Emma Dhesi burst into the literary scene with The Day She Came Home in 2019 and hasn't looked back. With three more gripping novels under her belt, including the recent dark suspense, Follow Me. Her stories plunge into the lives of women entangled in challenges, each harbouring a tantalising secret. Emma's fifth novel, a riveting tale born from the aftermath of a Peruvian plant ceremony and set in Scotland, is currently underway.
In 2023, she debuted her non-fiction prowess with Launch Pad: The Countdown to Writing Your Book, a guide aspiring authors clamour for, and became an Amazon bestseller. A familiar voice in the podcast world, Emma has shared her insights on Overflowing Bookshelves, Writing Away With Kelly, and Alchemy for Authors.
Her creative sanctuary is in Edinburgh, Scotland, shared with her husband, their three children, and a trio of feline companions.
“You understand the nuances of life and relationships, all of which make for interesting stories. It's on you (as it is on me!) to make that space in your life for what you love.”
On a writing routine …
When I'm drafting, I have a very solid routine. I write Monday to Friday. Each morning I drop the children at school, then head to a local café to write. I'm usually there for 2 or 3 hours, sipping a large soya latte and scribbling in long hand my first, very rough draft! I spit out between 1,000 and 2,500 words per session, which means I get momentum going quickly and can have that initial draft finished in a couple of months.
On writing spaces …
I love writing in a café because it means I'm with other people so don't feel so lonely. I enjoy the background noises of the coffee machines, the clink of cups on saucers and the chatter of others customers. At the same time, I don't know anyone there, so I can work in peace. The café acts as a Pavlovian trigger for my brain. As soon as I sit down I switch into 'work' mode, something that doesn't happen when I'm at home!
On writing communities …
I don't belong to a writing group. I've tried a few over the years, but haven't yet found one I love. I am a bit of a lone wolf and like to get on with the job in my own time. That said, I do work 1:1 with a book coach and a critique partner, both of whom are immensely helpful and give me the motivation and feedback I need.
On challenges …
It was very hard in the early days as I had three pre-school children. Back then I had to write what I could, when I could. Often that meant 10 minutes here or 20 minutes there. Sometimes I'd get a couple of hours at the weekend. Over the years, and as the children have grown older, I've shaped my day to make sure I have time to write. If I don't have the time, I know that's on me! Usually it means I'm avoiding the writing because the revisions are hard!
On the best writing advice …
The best piece of advice I was given was from an interview with Elizabeth Kostova, the author of The Historian. She, too, had three young children when she started writing and she told herself that all she could do was was write what she could, when she could. That was a lightbulb moment for me and became my mantra. Write what I can, when I can. Another trick I have for the days I don't feel like writing is to remind myself I only need to write 50 words. If I write 50 words on any given day, then I've made progress.
On the worst writing advice …
A lot of people recommend On Writing by Stephen King. Whilst I enjoyed reading about his background, the main thing I took from his book is that if you want to be a 'real' writer you have to write every day. That simply wasn't feasible for me. My days weren't entirely my own, and I didn't have a Tabitha to do all the day-to-day stuff for me! I tried to do what Stephen told me (I'm a good student!) but within a few days I was burnt out. It's not something I recommend new writers try to emulate, especially if life is already hectic!
On advice from personal experiences …
You can do it. Especially if you're in the second half of life. You have achieved so much already in your life. You have so much experience upon which to draw. You understand the nuances of life and relationships, all of which make for interesting stories. It's on you (as it is on me!) to make that space in your life for what you love.
On a recent publication …
My most recent book is a domestic suspense called Follow Me. It's about a woman who escapes her marriage by heading to a small town in the Scottish Borders. Life there starts off well, but things slowly start to go wrong! I'm currently working on The Medicine. This domestic suspense is about Ashley, who was physically attacked when she was 19 years old. Fifteen years later, and still reeling from the effects of the attack, she takes part in a plant medicine ceremony to help put the trauma behind her. The experience, however, raises more questions than it answers!
Emma’s online spaces …
UPCOMING OFFERINGS…
Mini Memoir Retreat
Greater Sudbury and area friends! Join Dinah Laprairie and me at Fielding Memorial Park in Sudbury, Ontario on Wednesday, August 14 from 9:30-4:00 PM for a full day memoir writing workshop.
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.
12-Week Group Book Coaching Fall Session
It’s never too early to start planning! This program is ideal for individuals who have an idea for a novel or memoir and need guidance to get started, or who have a draft and need a plan for revision. Ideal for teachers, retirees, and other busy professionals, the fall session is the right time to get started. We meet weekly via Zoom to check in, participate in writing prompts, discuss craft and weekly writing tasks. Participants will set weekly goals and submit writing tasks for individualized feedback. By the end of the 12 weeks, you will have a solid foundation for your book idea or work-in-progress.
Dates: Sundays, September 15-December 8, 2024
Times: 7:00-8:30 PM EST via Zoom
What you can expect:
Clarify your book idea and goals
Develop your ideas and hone in on your point
Participate in craft exercises and discussion
Create a plan to move your project forward
Get honest and compassionate feedback from a certified book coach
Stay motivated and accountable to your deadlines
Find the joy in your writing practice
Investment: $499+tax
Please note, class sizes are limited. Contact me to save your spot for September.
Rekindle Creativity Women’s Writing Retreat
Registrations are now open for Rekindle Creativity Women’s Writing Retreat from October 2-6, 2024 in Gore Bay on beautiful Manitoulin Island, Ontario.
What you can expect:
Supported time to work on your manuscript
A one-on-one coaching session with a certified book coach (Dinah or Liisa)
Group coaching sessions focused on writing
Feedback and encouragement from group members who identify with your struggles
Planning time to identify your next steps to move your project forward
A supportive community and a chance to talk about your book with like-minded peers
Opportunities to tap into your senses and rekindle your creativity
Time away from the obligations and interruptions of everyday life
Time to connect with the natural wilderness on beautiful Manitoulin Island or visit the shops in Gore Bay
"Dinah and Liisa created a completely welcoming environment, sparked great conversations and had incredible book and publishing knowledge to convey. I especially enjoyed the 1:1 sessions. They were able to assess where I am at in my writing and publishing journey and meet me there. I feel seen." ~ Daphne Gordon
Please visit our website for more details. (Early bird prices until September 1. Spaces are limited.)
If you have any questions, please contact us at rekindlecreativity@gmail.com.
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've attended some free webinars with Emma suggested by Women On Writing, and this article expresses the honest, down to earth, and highly practical advice she has to share. Thanks for this opportunity to learn more about her!