When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

As far back as I can remember.  I knew the power of writing as a child when my mom would receive letters from her cousin in Ontario and would pour over them day after day.  The encyclopedia opened my eyes to world civilizations and I would create stories in my head and act them out from an early age.  My turning point as a writer came In Grade 2 when I I wrote a story called The Lost Puppy.  I was head over heels about dogs and, of course, the lost puppy found a home with a girl just like me.  It was my way of foreshadowing, I think, and writing this story and winning a city of Edmonton story contest set me on a course for believing my writing mattered.

I wrote short stories, articles, and poetry, had pen pals, wrote scripts and songs for my friends.  I remember, as a very shy teenager, showing my uncle some of my poems and him saying, “Keep writing.  That is the most important thing you can do.”  I hear his encouragement everyday when I sit down to write.

Who were the authors that influenced you as a youth, and in what ways?

From an early age, I was a voracious reader and read Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys and The Bobbsey Twins.  I was attached to the familiarity of the characters and would try to solve the mysteries along with them.   As I grew older, I found Stephen King and his vivid descriptions chilled and thrilled me to the bone.  As an older teen, I was especially moved by Born Free, by Joy Adams, One Child by Torey L. Hayden, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and Flowers for Algernon by  Daniel Keyes. 

These books had profound impact on me as a reader and writer in unique ways.  Born Free opened up the African savannah as a setting for me and the relationship of humans and animals struck a chord.  I can see this influence to this day in my writing.  For example in Kalyna, the falcon and deer connect deeply with Katja.  One Child is a brilliant story of the power of people to change someone else’s world.  This true story is so deep in me as a teacher and writer as I believe writing is a catalyst for changing lives. The relationships in Kalyna are integral to survival.

All Quiet on the  Western Front brought me to the front of WW1 in such a moving unforgettable way.  I had never felt the force of emotion as I felt in reading this book with its horror and anguish, yet light and humanity.  It was my first foray into historical fiction and has tremendous influence on me as a young person and writer. Flowers for Algernon touched me deeply as it explored themes of injustice and humanity in a way I had never read before.  Keyes’ incredible depth of character development through language, dialogue and interrelationships in the novel has inspired me greatly in my writing.

How did it feel when you got to hold your very first advanced copy of your book?

It was thrilling and moved me completely to my core.  I felt the power of my family and heritage in that book.

What was the inspiration behind your books?

Kalyna was written with my passion for Ukrainian culture and Canadian history,  family memories, and from research.  The initial inspiration behind Kalyna was broadcast on the show ‘Out Front’ on CBC radio in 2000. ‘Out Front’ was a radio show with first person narratives and the story of a young man finding his grandfather’s enemy alien papers from an internment camp in Ontario during WW1 set me scrambling to the internet. My research led me to uncover the brilliant book by Lubomyr Luciuk entitled, In Fear of the Barbed Wire Fence.

This book led to other archival sources and journals, thus the story began to unfold.   One photograph in particular showed a group of men behind the barbed wire fence.  One of the men is looking to the side, his gaze on another, his face somber and gentle and I wondered who that man was and what he was like.  How had the camp changed him and how would he be when he returned to his community? And he became the inspiration for Wasyl Federchuk.

What was your publishing journey like?

I found out about Stonehouse Publishing through my involvement with Writer’s Guild of Alberta.  I knew I wanted Kalyna to be published locally as that is where I felt its initial audience would be.  Stonehouse was a wonderful fit for Kalyna, a maverick publishing house supporting historical fiction.  I am thrilled to have been one of their inaugural five authors.

What advice do you have for aspiring young novelists?

I would repeat my uncle’s message of, “Keep on writing.” I believe that diversity of voices matters now more than ever.  I would also encourage young writers to find “their people”, a community of writers they can rely upon for feedback, comfort and trust.  Writers need other writers; together we are stronger.

If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?

As a writer, the invisibility cloak would be my superpower.  I would love to be able to time travel with my invisibility cloak, yes I know that’s two powers, and be a fly on the wall throughout history.

Where is your favorite travel destination? a

I am most at peace in the mountains.

When you’re not writing, what are your favorite hobbies?

I love felting:  soap, pictures, scarves.  Felting is very hands on, calming and full of color!

Where can people find you online?

Readers can find me via Twitter:  @pam_k_clark and at  www.pamkclark.weebly.com

There is a link to contact me on the website and I enjoy connecting with readers very much.

Thank you for joining me for Writer Wednesdays!

If you are a writer/author of any genre and would like to pitch yourself for an interview, please email me at info@alexismariechute.com

Catch you next week!

Happy writing,

   –   Alexis Marie Chute