E004: Sisu with Liisa Kovala

Today I’m excited to share my first interview for the podcast! I had a lovely conversation a few weeks ago with Liisa Kovala, a Finnish-Canadian writer and book coach. We found each other on Substack when we both shared posts about sisu around the same time. What is sisu? Well, listen up and you’ll hear all about it!GUEST BIOLiisa Kovala is a Finnish-Canadian writer and book coach. Her debut novel, Sisu’s Winter War, was released by Latitude 46 Publishing in 2022. Surviving Stutthof: My Father’s Memories Behind the Death Gate (Latitude 46, 2017) was translated and published by Docendo in Finland, and short-listed for a Northern Lit award. Liisa’s short stories and creative non-fiction have been published in a variety of anthologies and literary magazines, and she received first prize in Geist’s 18th Annual Literal Literary Postcard Short Story Contest. As a certified Author Accelerator fiction and memoir book coach, Liisa works with writers both in small group settings and individually. Liisa features fellow writers in her Women Writing newsletter, hosts the Women Writing Podcast and co-hosts Rekindle Creativity Women’s Writing Retreats with Dinah Laprairie. Learn more about Liisa at liisakovalabookcoach.com and visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:39 First Interview: Liisa Kovala on Sisu00:56 Exploring the Concept of Sisu03:15 Liisa's Journey and Work06:06 Sisu in Historical Context20:52 Practicing Sisu in Daily Life31:26 The Importance of Community35:35 Closing Remarks and OutroLINKSMaggie’s SubstackMaggie’s websiteLiisa’s SubstackLiisa’s websiteThe book that started me on my sisu journey! (Note: this is an affiliate link and I think I get three tenths of a penny if you buy the book here.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maggiehollinbeck.substack.com