Hello all,
Welcome to the 12th edition of Women Writing! I want to wish all my American friends a very Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you enjoyed some good food, friends, and family. There is a lot to be grateful for.
I’m extremely thankful for those of you who have spread the word about the retreat
and I have been organizing for January in beautiful Muskoka. Just a quick note to let you know we still have a few spaces remaining and the special rates for Hidden Valley Resort are in place until December 15. Learn more at www.rekindlecreativity.com or reach out to Dinah or me. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.This week I’m featuring award-winning and multi-talented author Jean E. Pendziwol whose work I greatly admire. Enjoy!
Jean E. Pendziwol is the author of books for adults and children, including the bestselling novel The Lightkeeper’s Daughters, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club selection and winner of the Northern Lit Award. Her children’s books include the Governor General Literary Award finalist Once Upon a Northern Night, the classic No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons) and When I Listen to Silence. Her latest book Skating Wild on an Inland Sea (ill. Todd Stewart) is published by Groundwood Books. Her work has been translated and published in more than 20 countries around the world. She lives in Thunder Bay and finds inspiration in the beautiful natural environment of Lake Superior and Northwestern Ontario.
“Be kind to yourself. Figure out what it is that YOU need and want and tune out external expectations and pressures. And remember, being a published/best-selling/award-winning writer WILL NOT COMPLETE YOU. You are already enough.”
On a writing routine …
I don't have a routine. Writing has always been something that I've fit into my life around everything else that I'm doing. Not that I don't give it priority, I just happen to have a life that isn't routine oriented. My husband works shift work, so our days and weekends shift along with his schedule. I'm not a morning person and don't have that creative urge to get up before the sun and dash off a daily word-count before beginning the day. I really wish I did, and envy folks that can do this because it ensures that writing time doesn't get ambushed at some point. My best creative time is often midday, and this is the worst time for interruptions, but I do what I can. I've found writing retreats very helpful for providing focus to advance a project. Something about being in a different environment, often with other creative people, is very motivating. During busy stages of my life, my writing happened at kids running practices, at a coffee shop between drop-off and pick-up from music lessons, or on notes scribbled on the back of spaghetti-sauce splattered envelopes that were lying around on the kitchen counter. Somehow, that stolen time was more productive than wide-open unscheduled days stretching in front of me. Those days require more discipline to sit down at the computer and put words on the page. Sometimes, too much time can be limiting.
On writing spaces …
I've been writing and publishing for over 25 years and it's only been in the past few years that I've actually had an office. So where do I write? On my laptop in front of the fire. At the kitchen counter when cooking dinner. In bed... The space I choose to work in depends on the writing, or stage of writing, that I'm engaged in. Revisions tend to happen at a desk, as does research and organizing resources. Creative writing likes a cozier space. Poetry sometimes needs a notebook and pen, not a computer. Some of my "best" writing takes place when I'm away from my home/office environment, when I'm able to completely immerse myself in the story, words and characters and disappear from the world around me. In those cases, the music that accompanies the process is the sound of the wind in the trees, the waves lapping against the shore, perhaps a crackling fire. I think it's also important to note that not all "writing" looks like words on the page. Sometimes writing looks like sitting with a cup of tea staring out the window, paddling a kayak across the lake at dusk, or walking through the woods. I think there's a lot of pressure on writers to set and achieve a word count daily. It's important to provide opportunity to allow the emotional, metaphorical and unexpected elements of the story and characters to arise, and this sometimes requires space and time. I would love to see the "write every day" practice embrace stillness and value contemplation as much as it does word count. This is where the magic can happen. My picture book "When I Listen to Silence" explores this concept.
On writing communities …
Because I write in a variety of genres, I belong to several writing groups and organizations and they've all been valuable to me for different reasons. As a children's author, I'm a member of CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers) a national organization that supports creators of work for children. I'm also a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), an international organization, and the CCBC (Canadian Children's Book Centre). Being a member of TWUC (The Writers Union of Canada) supports advocacy, specifically around issues of copyright. It has also opened up opportunities and funding to visit schools to present my work. Locally, I'm a member of Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW), an organization that promotes and supports the writers and writing of NW Ontario, and Laughing Fox Writers, a peer led community of writers living in Thunder Bay. I also work with critique partners where we share and respond to each other's work. Being part of these organizations and communities provides opportunities for professional development, networking, information sharing, industry awareness, critical feedback and support. I would encourage anyone who writes to find community.
On challenges …
When my life was busy with family commitments, the space that was most occupied and limited was internal -- my creative capacity and what I like to call "mental real estate". For that reason, I focused on shorter work. It wasn't until my kids grew and flew that I felt compelled to explore longer fiction. I still find longer fiction challenging. While some people find escape and distraction in their creative work, I find a chaotic external world limits my creativity (and the past few years have been a tiny bit chaotic, in case you hadn't noticed.) Learning to be kind to myself, to re-evaluate concepts of "productivity" in an industry that is constantly evolving and incredibly subjective has been a process. Publishing is a business. Returning to the joy of writing and creating has brought me back to picture books (not that I ever left) and I LOVE the co-creative aspects of this genre and category. I continue to explore ways to accommodate those internal challenges and allow my writing the space it needs.
On the best writing advice …
The best piece of writing advice? First drafts are steaming piles of poop... I mean messy. I do have to remind myself that drafting is figuring out the characters and the story -- keep going. You can't edit a blank page.
On the worst writing advice …
I'm not sure it was specific advice or an expectation. Writing to an audience/market can be constricting and restricting. Yes, keep the reader in mind, but listen to your characters. Let them guide you, not a potential review on Goodreads.
On advice from personal experiences …
Women have been fed the narrative that you can "have it all". You can't. We live in a time where equity and equality are still evolving. Be kind to yourself. Figure out what it is that YOU need and want and tune out external expectations and pressures. And remember, being a published/best-selling/award-winning writer WILL NOT COMPLETE YOU. You are already enough.
Jean’s online spaces …
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!
“You are already enough.” YES!