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Writer’s Block: Stephanie Cesca
Author Stephanie Cesca whose debut novel Dotted Lines is out now from Guernica Editions, talks to us about the inspiring hand of nature (and music), her writing group, and how she balances creative life with a full-time job and a family (colour us impressed!).
All Lit Up: Is there one stand-out moment or experience you had that helped you realize you wanted to become a writer?
Stephanie Cesca: I’ll never forget the time I wrote a short story in my Grade 10 English class. It was called “Fatsy Patsy” and it was about a teenager suffering from body image issues. The response from my teacher, classmates and family was overwhelming. My mom loved it so much she brought it up over and over again – even years later. I just loved the fact that the story had such an effect on people and that it stuck with them over a long period of time. It was the first time I really felt the power of storytelling and I just knew it was what I wanted to do.
ALU: Which writers have influenced you or had the most impact on your own writing?
SC: I took an American fiction class in university and the course outline and stack of books that came with it were enough to intimidate even the most advanced reader. Amid the pile was Ernest Hemingway. After reading a few of his books I thought to myself: I like this. I can do this. I appreciated the straightforward, accessible style and I realized from that point on that writing fiction was not about trying to impress people with sophisticated language but drawing readers in and keeping them engaged with a great story.
ALU: What was your most rewarding moment as a writer?
SC: When I finished the first draft of my debut novel, Dotted Lines, I printed it out in my basement and was like, wow, this is a real book. I had no idea if it was ever going to get published at that point but in that moment it didn’t matter. I was so proud that I had completed it. Seeing it in the flesh and holding those 300-or-so pages in my hands was a really special moment.
ALU: Have you experienced writer’s block? What did you do about it?
SC: For sure. There are a few things that work for me whenever I feel stuck. The first is having something that keeps me accountable – and right now that’s my writing group. The people in this group are really strong and talented writers, and they’re also fantastic editors. I find myself working hard on my submissions to the group because I know their time and opinions are valuable. Secondly, I find that time away from the computer really helps. My best ideas usually come to me when I’m outside in the park – sometimes when I’m not even thinking about my writing. So if I’m just not feeling a scene or struggling to get the words down on the page, spending some time in the ravine near my home usually does the trick.
ALU: What’s the toughest part about being a writer?
SC: The toughest part is not having the amount of time I’d like to write. I would just love to read and write all day every day, but that’s just not possible for me. So in order to complete my two manuscripts, I’ve had to be careful about where I spend my time and energy, and that includes writing projects. For example, I’d love to submit more standalone stories to my writing group or take part in some of the competitions the other
members do. But I work full time and have a family, so in order to stay on track, I try to remain focused on one project at a time.
ALU: Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
SC: Music really helps me create and develop a character. I’ll think about who I’m writing about and decide on the type of music they like. And then I’ll listen to songs from that genre when I’m outside walking or jogging. The ideas seem to flow better when I’m not at my desk and the music helps me develop a stronger understanding of who the character is. On my playlist right now is a lot of Chicago!
ALU: What are you working on now?
SC: I’m finishing up the first draft of my second novel. It’s set in small-town southwestern Ontario and it’s about a friendship that endures many highs and lows over several decades, and then blows up pretty spectacularly.
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About Dotted Lines
Abandoned as a child, Melanie Forsythe seeks stability and belonging after her mom’s boyfriend is left to raise her. Despite her raw deal, Melanie grows up to have a good head on her shoulders and a strong bond with her stepdad. But her dream of having a family of her own is shattered when she suffers tragedy and betrayal. Still, the relationship with her step-dad—the one that’s illustrated with a dotted line in her family tree—ultimately inspires her to create the life and family she wants.
“As a family dissolves and reunites, Cesca’s seamless writing traces the unpredictable ways in which those we love stray and return to us throughout our lives. Clean and understated, Cesca’s novel reveals the complicated layers of an unorthodox childhood through compelling characters willing to open themselves to new truths.” —Ibi Kaslik, author of Skinny, New York Times Bestseller
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Stephanie Cesca was born and raised in Toronto, where she lives with her husband and three children. A former newspaper editor in both Canada and Europe, she holds an English degree from Western University, a journalism degree from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Certificate of Creative Writing from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Her work has been shortlisted for the Penguin Random House Canada Student Award for Fiction and The Marina Nemat Award for Creative Writing. Dotted Lines is her first novel.
