Hello all,
Welcome to the 13th edition of Women Writing! The weeks have flown by since the first edition in September, and it’s hard to believe snow is already on the ground here in Northern Ontario. My tree is lit and decorations are hanging, and the little tonttu village I used to love to arrange as a child is now set up on a bookshelf in my house. I don’t quite have that Christmas spirit yet, but the snow, lights, and decorations are helping.
In the meantime, I’m very pleased to feature novelist novelist Janet Calcaterra with whom I’ve had enjoyed presenting with at a few author events. Enjoy!
Janet Calcaterra holds a BA from Queen’s University, Kingston, ON and an MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey. Her greatest learning experience, however, occurred when she homesteading for 10 years on 160 acres of land between New Liskeard and Elk Lake, ON. She has published fiction and non-fiction in Canadian and American literary journals and anthologies and travel and gardening pieces in newspapers and magazines. Her first novel, The Burden of Memories, was published in May, 2022. Her current project, Blue Willow Stories, was triggered by her observations, over many years, of how people are affected, however remotely, by wars that have touched their lives. Her own life has been deeply marked by the effect World War Two had on her father.
“You should respect your desire to write and, therefore, make time in your day, no matter how small, to write, just as you make time to eat, have a shower, or read the newspaper.”
On a writing routine …
I try to stick to a writing routine. On a good day, I try to start writing right after I've finished the daily work I do for my husband's business.
On writing spaces …
I most often write at a desktop computer in the lower level of my house.
On writing communities …
I belong to a three-women writing group that meets online, as one member lives in Thunder Bay. We try to meet about once a month. As we've met for over ten years, we know each others' work well, and the members' suggestions for improvement are always helpful. I also belong to a reading group called The Conspiracy of Three, which has been operating for over thirty years. We read our work to members of the group, but suggestions on improving the work don't come very often there.
On challenges …
When my daughters were still living at home, and I was working full-time, I found it difficult to carve out a specific time when I could write. Mostly, I wrote after dinner was over and the kitchen was clean. By then, of course, I was tired and found it difficult to focus well enough to get much "good" writing completed.
On the best writing advice …
The best advice I've received is to just start writing. It's better to start filling up a blank page, even if it's just points for an idea, than to sit and wait to write until you are inspired to write. That might never happen, so you might never complete anything.
On the worst writing advice …
I think it would be too strong to say that this was the worst piece of writing advice I'd received, but I've found the advice to "write what you know" is limiting. If I'd stuck closely to that rule, I might never have written from the point of view of Alex. He is the doctor character in my novel "The Burden of Memories." Prior to doing a great deal of research, I knew nothing of the Italian Campaign of World War Two, and much of the narrative from his point-of-view I made up.
On advice from personal experiences …
You should respect your desire to write and, therefore, make time in your day, no matter how small, to write, just as you make time to eat, have a shower, or read the newspaper. The time you need to carve out for writing should be seen as time you need for your daily existence.
Janet’s online spaces …
Website: www.janetcalcaterra.com
X (Twitter): calcatej
My short story "Russian Ties" can be found at canneryrowpress.com/issue3
I believe the world needs more women’s stories. Are you ready to write yours?
If you've been dreaming of writing a novel or memoir but don't know how to get started, or you have a work-in-progress that needs attention, as an Author Accelerator Book Coach I can give you the tools to move forward. We all have a story within us, waiting to be shared. I can help you tell yours. Let me show you how.
Are you getting ready to query? If so, download my free “20 Essential Querying Steps” checklist. Happy querying!
Attention teachers!
If you’re a teacher, I have something special just for you. Download a free copy of my workbook, Beyond the Blackboard: Empowering Teachers to Write Fiction. Stay tuned for upcoming teacher offerings in 2024 to set you on the path to writing your novel. You have all the skills you need to learn how to write that book already.
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!