Navigating Life’s Creative Seasons For many writers, finding the physical and mental capacity to execute big ideas is a constant negotiation. Author and book coach Liisa Kovala understands this balance firsthand. Reflecting on her early years as a full-time teacher raising young children, she recalls having a mind full of ideas while having almost zero physical energy or time to bring them to life.

However, as her children grew and she transitioned out of classroom teaching, new doors opened naturally. “There’s a time and place for everything, a season for everything,” Liisa explains. Once she opened up space in her life, opportunities to build community—from serving on the board of Sudbury’s Wordstock Literary Festival to co-leading writing retreats and organizing the WriteOn! 2026 conference with Book Coaches Canada—began flowing directly to her. For mothers and busy professionals holding onto stories, her journey is a reassuring reminder that unexecuted ideas aren’t lost; they are simply waiting for their season.

From Heavy History to Cozy Murders For years, Liisa focused her writing energy on historical fiction and creative nonfiction—genres that demand years of meticulous research and archival digging. But while attending a writing retreat a year ago, she felt the urge to take a creative breather and write something lighter, contemporary, and fun.

During the trip home from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Sudbury, inspiration struck when she spotted a beautiful home for sale. Over the course of that six-hour drive, an entire fictional universe downloaded into her mind. She envisioned a mid-life woman leaving a fast-paced city career to open a cozy Nordic-inspired inn in Northern Ontario, only for a body to turn up on the doorstep on opening day.

By the time she reached her driveway, the Hygge House Cozy Mystery Series was born. Blending Scandinavian comfort (hygge) with classic small-town whodunit intrigue, Liisa dove headfirst into drafting. With the third book releasing in August and three more planned alongside a brand-new book contract, her willingness to pivot into genre fiction opened an entirely new trajectory for her career.

Mindset Shifts for the “Recovering Perfectionist” Managing multiple book releases, coaching clients, and literary festival planning requires intentional time management, but Liisa cautions against overly rigid schedules. As a self-described “recovering perfectionist,” she previously struggled when days didn’t go according to plan. Today, she combines flexible time-blocking with a transformative strategy: tracking what she has already completed rather than fixating solely on an intimidating to-do list.

By recording accomplishments as they happen throughout the day—whether sending a critical email, holding a coaching session, or taking thirty minutes to sit in the sun—she maintains momentum without feeling unmoored or overwhelmed. This flexible mindset allows her to adjust when unexpected opportunities or deadlines arise, ensuring that productivity never comes at the expense of enjoying life.

The Myth of Being “Ready” For women sitting on the fence about writing their first manuscript, Liisa offers a refreshing perspective on courage and readiness. Many aspiring authors delay taking action because they are waiting to feel fully prepared, trained, or confident. But as Liisa points out, “ready” isn’t a static destination you arrive at before taking action.

“Just do it. Just start, because that’s how you become ready,” she encourages. Growth, skill, and confidence are the natural byproducts of stepping into the work, learning as you go, and allowing yourself to evolve on the page. By letting go of perfectionism and embracing the present season, every woman can begin turning her stories into a lasting legacy.