Middle grade author Patti Calkosz is chatting with me about her new MG fantasy book, Olaf and Essex.
Bio:
As a child, Patti Calkosz would have loved to have been rescued by a talking fox and bear. Like many kids, she grew up in an environment where it didn’t feel safe to be her authentic self. She created a protective shell in which to hide, which led to deep unhappiness, social isolation, a self-perception of being “dull,” and escalating health problems.
Employing “alternative” healing practices later in life, Patti’s energy began to open up, unleashing her creativity. She loves making people laugh and writing about important social issues in an entertaining way.
What do you enjoy most about writing short stories/children’s books/novellas?
So far, I’ve only completed one children’s novel, and it’s pretty long—more than 70K words. What I enjoy most about writing is when a great joke/idea/solution to a problem comes to me. It’s when I feel the most alive, the most like my real self—instead of my thoughts about myself.
Can you give us a little insight into a few of your short stories – perhaps some of your favorites?
I’ve written some shorter fiction, but I was really just finding my authentic voice while I tried to think of an idea for a novel-length work.
What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?
I don’t really think in terms of genre—if an idea comes to me and it excites me, I want to write it. But I enjoy writing the humorous parts of a story the most.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m perhaps a fourth of the way into writing a sequel to Olaf and Essex. It’s shaping up to be quite different, which is both exciting—it’s fun to explore new territory—and frightening—what if it disappoints readers who enjoyed Olaf and Essex and are hoping for more of the same?
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’m still trying to convince myself I really am one, haha. But around the summer of ’21, I started going to Central Park to do field research for my story—previously I had relied on memory and internet research. I would come home and incorporate my notes into my manuscript, which was exciting. I remember the first day, I started on Oak Bridge in the Ramble. It was a beautiful late morning or afternoon, and I was so amazed and grateful, after so many years of struggle, that I was actually doing this.
How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?
So far, I’ve only researched how to publish a novel. I began reading articles and books and attending virtual conferences years before I started writing my novel to learn more about the publishing industry, to hear other writers speak of their experiences, and to start becoming familiar with agents. I wish now I had paid more attention to information about self-publishing but having grown up with my mom parking me at a Barnes & Noble or Waldenbooks so she could run errands unhindered, I had romanticized the traditional publishing industry.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I wouldn’t call it interesting, but frustrating. Not just with writing but in life in general, I feel I’ve been living my entire life with major mental blocks. Later in life I started to practice meditation and other energy techniques, and I began experiencing temporary shifts in my mental space; sort of like gaps where inspiration could come through, thoughts that didn’t seem to be coming from my conscious mind. So, if I’m experiencing writer’s block I’m more likely to do some extra meditation than to stare at a blank screen.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I never had a specific concept that I could be anything; I didn’t have role models, people close to me having chosen to be something they wanted to be and then making it happen. I remember as a kid enjoying the creative lessons in grade school and feeling excitement when I read a funny story. In third grade, my class went to watch an improv troupe perform. I again felt that excitement within myself, what I now recognize as a sort of soul memory. Then my class wrote and performed our own skits. I wrote a skit that only had one joke, but the audience laughed so loudly. I remember how fantastic it felt, and later telling my mom I wanted to be an actress. But there were so many messages from people during my childhood that I should be quiet and not call attention to myself, and unfortunately, I didn’t have the self-confidence to ignore those voices and recognize and heed my inner voice.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I’m in my early fifties and already have so many regrets. I’m hoping to accomplish enough in my remaining time on this planet, so that when I’m nearing my end, I’ll feel that I made up for lost time. I would encourage readers to try to hear what their soul is urging of them and not listen to any mental chatter—or other people—telling them they can’t do that.
Thank you so much Lisa!