The Writerly Blog Tour stops in at The Process

Thanks to my friend and author Heidi Reimer for tagging me in this tour. Heidi is a talented writer of both non-fiction (she contributed to The M Word: Conversations About Motherhood) and fiction. I’ve been fortunate to read a draft of her novel, and it’s a powerful, engaging story. Remember Heidi’s name, because I’m sure we’ll hear much more from her in the future!

And now for my answers:

What I’m working on

I’ve just completed the formal editing process for my debut novel, Circle of Stones (Dundurn Press, March 2015). The process felt highly charged because it’s a big responsibility to bring a book into the world, but I thoroughly enjoyed working with my editor, Shannon Whibbs and the comments we shared back and forth in the Track Changes margin. My characters lived in my own head for a long time, so it’s such a pleasure to engage in deep conversations about them and their stories. I can’t wait to share them widely with other readers.

I’m also working on a new novel that hits on some deeply personal themes. It’s not about me, but the protagonist faces some difficult issues that I’ve had to look at, and writing her story is requiring me to go into the depths. It’s funny how one of the most difficult yet essential things to do as a writer, musician or any kind of creator is to be honest and raw and say the things you’re not supposed to say. That’s what makes it art, and that’s what makes it resonate. I’m also slowly working on an idea for a non-fiction book I’d love to write. And I wrote a short story earlier this year that I’m trying to rework into a script for a short film.

How does my work differ from others in the genre?

Circle of Stones has an unusual structure. The overall story is told from the perspective of the people the main characters meet along the way. When I was writing it, I was interested in looking at different voices and points of view, as well as different ways we’re all connected, especially in cities. Circle of Stones is also about struggle—all the different ways we fight for the survival of our dreams, our relationships and our very existence.

I don’t want to give too much away about my second novel. It’s still forming and I have an overwhelming instinct to protect it. I will say, however, that some of the characters are in a band. Hard Core Logo excepted, CanLit historically hasn’t rocked hard enough, in my opinion.

Why do I write what I do?

Life isn’t easy. Good storytelling engages us in the struggles others encounter so when faced with our own we have a deeper understanding and way to find a sense of meaning. Reading good novels is like continuously tracing roadmaps—routes we can take in our own lives, sometimes to give us vital ideas, and sometimes to help us find a way out of confusing and difficult situations we may find ourselves in. And both writing and reading are fun. We all need more joy in our lives. It’s the fuel that energizes us.

How does my writing process work?

I never seem to have a shortage of ideas—there just never seems to be enough time for them all. I wish I had more hours in the day to devote to my own writing and music practices, but making money and living life tends to get in the way. What works for me is booking off hours each week for my own work and trying to keep to a regular schedule. I run my own freelance business so it’s really difficult to enforce a routine, but routine is essential. Routine is a gift to the writing process. It helps that I have two incredible writing partners, Sarah Henstra and Heidi, to work with, because the constant encouragement, reassurances and feeling that we’re in this together helps keep me going. It’s almost like we’re a band, but we get together and perform on the page instead of on a stage.  

Interestingly, playing bass in an actual indie band seems to fuel my writing process. It’s that joy component I was telling you about.

Next up, I’m tagging the lovely Lindsay Gibb, another writer/editor who performs in a band. She’s working on a book about Nicolas Cage as part of the ECW Press Pop Classics series. 

I’m also tagging the charming Shari Kasman, a musician who made the cross-over into writing and now writes wonderful fiction and prose.  

Please check out some of the other great writers on this tour!

Rebecca Rosenblum * Julia Zarankin * Maria Meindl * Ayelet Tsabari * Angie Abdou * Kathy Para* Theodora Armstrong * Eufemia Fanetti * Janie Chang * Lorna Suzuki * Barbara Lambert * Matilda Magtree * Alice Zorn * Anita Lahey * Pearl Pirie * Julie Paul *Sarah Mian * Steve McOrmond * Susan Gillis * Jason Heroux * Heidi Reimer