Ask the Author: Lisa Heidle
Answered Questions (7)
Lisa Heidle
What a fun question! I think I would go to the 1800's northern England and visit with Jane Eyre. I read the book when I was 13 and it really resonated with me. I remember feeling especially indignant for Jane when she was at Gateshead and her early years at the Lowood School. Although I wouldn't change anything Jane went through since she had to go through the experiences to become who she was meant to be, I would stay by her side and encourage her to stay true to herself.
Lisa Heidle
My short story collection, énnēad, contains stories that I worked on for years. Stories tend to come to me through things that I hear or read. A friend used the phrase never above the tiara and I knew the narrator of what became the last story in the collection, "Never Above the Tiara". The story, "A Broken Prayer", came to me in a dream. I woke in middle of the night, grabbed pen and paper, and wrote it out. That is the only time that has happened and it was truly a surreal experience. When I was young, I thought everyone saw the world in stories. Then I realized that many people do not have that experience and I felt really bad for them. It really does make life more fun!
Lisa Heidle
For me, writing inspires my writing. I'm a morning writer and I'm protective of my writing time. I try not to answer the phone or emails until I've written for the day. Reading other writers work also inspires me. I just finished "We the Animals" by Justin Torres and "Hunger" by Roxane Gay. Two very different works but, to me, they were equally powerful.
Lisa Heidle
I'm currently working on a full-length manuscript that is set in Georgia after the Civil War. The story centers around three sisters who chose or were forced in different directions and how their choices, or lack of choice, informed their futures.
Lisa Heidle
Great question. I work with many young people and even created a youth creative writing camp a few years ago. The young people, ranging in ages from 10 to 18, were able to work with established writers in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, song writing, and play writing. Advice I give is to 1) work at the craft; 2) find a mentor(s) that believe in you; and 3) define what success means to you. Working at the craft is not just learning the techniques but taking chances, breaking the rules, learning what feels comfortable for you as a writer. Finding a mentor is not always easy, but it is so important for this solitary work. If there's someone you admire that is further along on the writing path, reach out. If the person does not have time or is unwilling to mentor you, do not take it personally--they're not the right one for you. Keep searching. The simple definitions of success are money, accolades, and fame, and those things are nice, but being able to do what you love and allowing it space in your life is also success. Reflect on what a successful career will look like for you and stay true to it.
Lisa Heidle
So many things! I see writing as my vocation and there's nothing that I do that makes me feel as centered. When I first started down this path, I had no idea how much I would enjoy exploring and learning the craft of writing. Being a writer has enriched my life and I am immensely grateful for this creative form of expression.
Lisa Heidle
I see writer's block as a symptom that I've gone off track with a story. I've learned to take a step back, walk away from the work, and give myself time to process. As an introvert, this typically means spending time alone. I've also found that when the story will not move forward, many times it's because I'm writing in the wrong voice or point of view. If the piece has stalled in third-person, I'll shift to first-person, and vice-versa.
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