To my younger self, I would say speak up and take up space.
What is your first memory of being creative (writing, art making, etc.)?My earliest memories of creativity were during play. I loved to take my dolls and barbies and create worlds for them, imaging forests and rivers, and how they would interact with one another. I did similar things when I drew. I created a series of drawing of young women, often in period costume, and always named them. In my mind, each one had a complete life, an untold story. In essence, I was writing stories before I started writing.
What is the best or worst dream you ever had?When I lived in my previous house, I had reoccurring dreams of the roof falling in on me and I would bolt upright in the middle of the night, disorientated and thinking we were suffocating under rubble.
As a child, I had a reoccurring dream of a women dressed in black—very witchlike—who appeared at the bottom of the basement stairs and whom I believed lived in the “cave,” a sort of crawl space with a mostly rock outcrop floor.
What is your favourite coincidence?I don’t believe in coincidences, but some may say this story is an example of one. I prefer to think of it as serendipitous. I was travelling in Finland researching for Sisu’s Winter War and was travelling back from Tuusala to Helsinki, thinking I’d like to do some shopping. I was scrolling on my phone and looked up red shoes, surprised to find a store called, you guessed it, Red Shoe. When I arrived in the store, I tried on a few shoes, and the salesperson asked where I was from. We struck up a conversation and I explained why I was in Finland. She was so interested in what I was writing, especially the Winter War. She explained she didn’t work in the store but was doing a favour for the owner. She worked at the university and was something of an expert on the topic I was researching. Was it just a coincidence? I don’t think so. When you allow the universe to know what you’re working on, it opens in unexpected ways to deliver exactly what you need. I made a great connection. And purchased a lovely pair of red shoes.
What advice would you give to your younger self? Your younger self could be you at any age.As the youngest of four kids, and the only girl, I was frequently outnumbered and generally silenced. I learned early on if I expressed my opinion, it would likely be shot down and I would be made to feel stupid. I unconsciously held on to that sabotaging belief from childhood through to adulthood, rarely speaking up in class during high school even when I knew the right answers. It took many years for me to find my voice and be confident in myself.
To my younger self, I would say speak up and take up space. Don’t fear how others view you. You will find your people. You will find power in your words.
Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?I want to believe in ghosts, but I have no real evidence of them. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ghost, no matter how often I look for them in the wee hours of the night, although I do wake from dreams and think shadowy figures are in my room. However, I’ve experienced enough in my life to believe those who have gone before us are present in some way—energy perhaps?
After my father died in 2018, I had the strange experience of seeing combinations of ones and fours all over the place. If I woke in the night, it was 4:14 am. If I glanced at the clock during the day, it was 1:14. It happened all the time for many years—and still does. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, and I just happened on those numbers. When I moved in 2019, my new house number just happened to be 41 and my PO Box 144. My cell number has 0314 at the end. I see those number everywhere and in the most unexpected places. The thing is my father’s lucky number was fourteen. Every time I his number, I say, “Hello, Dad.” It gives me comfort. And I suppose that’s more meaningful than actual proof that my father is trying to communicate with me. (But I think he is!).
If you could send your love to anyone, who would it be and why?I send my love to anyone who is dreaming of a creative life but struggling in their day-to-day. I’ve been there, and I know how hard it is to be living a life that feels inauthentic. I also know it’s possible to change your life to become more creative, more yourself, even if only for small, brilliant moments.
What are you working on now?I’m a writer who usually has a few projects on the go at any given time. My second historical novel (untitled at the moment) will be released in the fall of 2026. I am also querying my third historical novel, and writing a draft of a fourth, with plans for a contemporary series which I’ve started planning. On Substack, I have weekly Women Writing features, weekly Women Writing podcast, and a series called Book Coach Writes a Book.
Liisa Kovala is a Finnish Canadian writer and book coach. Her debut novel, Sisu’s Winter War, was released by Latitude 46 Publishing in 2022. Surviving Stutthof: My Father’s Memories Behind the Death Gate (Latitude 46, 2017) was translated and published by Docendo in Finland, and short-listed for a Northern Lit award. Liisa’s short stories and creative non-fiction have been published in a variety of anthologies and literary magazines, and she received first prize in Geist’s 18th Annual Literal Literary Postcard Short Story Contest. As a certified Author Accelerator fiction and memoir book coach, Liisa works with writers both in small group settings and individually. Liisa features fellow writers in her Women Writing newsletter, hosts the Women Writing Podcast and co-hosts Rekindle Creativity Women’s Writing Retreats with Dinah Laprairie. Learn more about Liisa at liisakovalabookcoach.com and visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com.
When memories threaten to disappear, past promises must be confronted.
Meri Saari made a promise to her dying mother that she would keep the family together, but she was too young to know how a war can pull people apart. With the Soviet invasion of Finland, Meri pledges loyalty to the Lotta Svärds and becomes the sole caretaker for her siblings. When her father goes missing in action, she finds herself searching for him on the front lines.
Forty years later, living in northern Ontario, Meri’s past and present collide when she is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. Responsible for her granddaughter, and navigating a strained relationship with her daughter Linnea, Meri is haunted by the people of her past and by the promises she failed to keep. As she struggles against her inevitable decline, she knows her losses are amassing: her home, her health, and her memories. Meri embarks on one last journey in search of the man she had to give up, before it’s too late. Before everything disappears.
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