The Circle of Manifestation Many of us remember the childhood “all about me” albums where we listed what we wanted to be when we grew up. For Liisa Kovala, those goals were clear: teacher, dancer, writer. Decades later, she has seen those dreams come full circle. After a fulfilling 28-year career as a high school English and creative writing teacher, Liisa transitioned into a new chapter as a published author and professional book coach. Her journey is a testament to the idea that while life may delay our creative pursuits, our true identity remains waiting for us to reclaim it.

A Father’s Legacy The catalyst for Liisa’s shift from “writing stories in her head” to becoming a published author was a phone call from her mother. At age 40, Liisa was tasked with a monumental responsibility: writing her father’s life story. Her father, an 84-year-old Finnish merchant marine, had survived being captured by the Nazis, held in a concentration camp, and enduring two death marches.

For Liisa, the process of interviewing her father every Sunday afternoon was more than just research; it was a deeply emotional bonding experience. She notes that while she might write “better” books in the future, she will never write one more important than her father’s story. This experience highlighted a vital truth for Liisa: if we don’t tell our family stories, they are gone forever.

The Magic of Serendipity Liisa’s entry into the publishing world was as unique as the story she wrote. Originally, she intended to simply photocopy a few copies at a local shop for her family. However, as others heard about the project, interest grew. After self-publishing to ensure physical copies existed, the book was picked up by a small publisher in Northern Ontario—a “serendipitous” turn of events that launched her professional career. This path eventually led to her writing fiction, such as Sisters’ Winter War, which explored the experiences of women in the Lotta Svärds organization during the Finnish-Russian Winter War.

Understanding Sisu Central to Liisa’s life and work is the Finnish concept of Sisu. While it has no direct English translation, it is often described as grit, resilience, or determination in the face of adversity. Liisa believes that Sisu is part of the human psyche—the strength to keep going even when the outcome is uncertain.

In her writing life, Sisu means letting go of the pressure for perfection and focusing on the process. “You are never going to be ready,” Liisa warns. “It’s never going to be perfect… you can’t let it sit on your laptop for too long”. By embracing the work itself rather than chasing accolades, writers can find fulfillment in the act of doing.

Finding Your Corner Now a full-time book coach, Liisa uses her 28 years of teaching experience to support other writers through one-on-one coaching and small-group courses. She helps writers navigate the “trenches” of creative non-fiction, memoir, and fiction, providing the support she knows is essential for the journey.

Her final advice for any woman sitting on the fence of her creative journey is simple: Start before you are ready. Confidence does not come before the work; it is built through the work. Whether through a journal, a writing group, or a coach, the most important step is to begin.