Writing

Being an outsider, writing the outsider

| Writing

The other day I went on an aimless walk while listening to an interview with the writer Nnedi Okorafor. She’s a very interesting interview subject overall, but one thing she said in particular really struck me: I’ve always existed on a lot of fault lines, and that does fuel what I write. She then went on to list a few ways she’s felt like “an outsider in multiple important groups in [her] life.” Since publishing […]

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diy writing retreat

Three ways to do a DIY writing retreat

| The Quiet is Loud, Writing

Since 2008, I’ve taken myself on three DIY writing retreats. I’m sharing the things I’ve learned about DIY writing retreats, and what I’d do differently next time. Or, will there be a next time? Writing retreat #1: 2008 The idea for my first DIY writing retreat came to me out of impatience. I had the urge to attend a formal retreat, but all the interesting ones had either just finished, or were starting months in

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In praise of older protagonists

| The Quiet is Loud, Writing

“She should have been more mature for a 40-year-old.” That’s a paraphrasing of a book review I read recently. It made me wonder if this person actually knew any 40-year-olds. Sure, there are people who should know better no matter how old they are, but why would a protagonist that age have to act mature, whatever that means? ⁠ In The Quiet is Loud, Freya is 28. In my fantasy novel-in-progress Seeker of the Lost

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I’m now a columnist at Open Book!

| News, Writing

In June 2021 I had a lot of fun as Open Book’s Writer-in-Residence, and so I’m excited to announce that I’m now writing a regular column for them! My first article is about my experience with the highs and surprising lows that arise after publishing a book. It’s a must-read for anyone who has a book coming out, or who’s published a book and felt some conflicting emotions (spoiler alert: it’s totally normal!). Check it

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Want more journal stuff from me?

| Misc., News, The Quiet is Loud, Writing

I’m having a lot of fun with my newsletter. It’s been nice to return to slightly longer forms of expression considering, you know, *gestures vaguely at the state of social media*.⁠ I realize that this blog/journal can count as a longer form of expression, but honestly I’m still not sure how to best use this space. ⁠ So in the meantime, here are some of the recent topics I wrote about:⁠ ⁠ ☾ How pandemic

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Recommender Grants for Seeker of the Lost Song

| News, Twist the Branch, Writing

I’m grateful to ECW Press, Diaspora Dialogues, and the Ontario Arts Council for awarding me Recommender Grants for Writers to write Seeker of the Lost Song*, my fantasy novel-in-progress blending elements of Filipino and Finnish culture and history. It’s truly an honour to have this support. Arts funding is critically important not only to those receiving it, but to communities as a whole. *Ed. Note: The title has been changed to Twist the Branch as

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Hello, first draft of new fantasy novel!

| News, Writing

The best part of my August: I finished the first draft of my new fantasy novel!⁠ I’m still coming back down to earth, very reluctantly, after spending the summer halfway in an altered state of intense creativity and inspiration I had never felt before, the kind where you could tell me I was some sort of conduit receiving the story from another plane and I would believe you. It was such a different experience from

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Reflections on my first year of being a published author

| News, The Quiet is Loud, Writing

May 4th was the one-year anniversary of The Quiet is Loud being published. I can’t believe it’s been that long! It feels like three months and three years at the same time. I shared some thoughts about my first year of being a published author over on Invisible Publishing’s blog, including the things that I didn’t anticipate about the publishing process, and lessons I learned. Click here to read “Things I Didn’t Know About Publishing

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TQIL-Germany-deal

The Quiet is Loud to be published in German!

| News, The Quiet is Loud, Writing

🇩🇪 I have some very exciting news: The Quiet is Loud will be published in German with Piper Verlag! I have family in Germany (and support Germany in international football tournaments 😉) so naturally I am over the moon about this. I look forward to reaching new readers in a country that’s very special to me – and anywhere German-language readers are! Now to learn German so that I can read my book through new

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Interview at the Quarantine Review Podcast

| News, People, The Quiet is Loud, Writing

I was recently interviewed by my friend Teri Vlassopoulos for the Quarantine Review podcast! Not only was I thrilled to be involved with the Quarantine Review again, but I got to virtually chat with Teri while sitting in my surprisingly soundproof closet, balancing my laptop and my microphone, being so much in awe of Teri’s smooth interviewing skills that I probably rambled a bit too much trying to sound as cool as her. Check out

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