Kirsten is the author of the wonderful “Starling”.

The novel, which derives its name from the small town the action takes place in, follows children Alice and Rémy as they strike a deep friendship, and become each other’s anchor in their depressing, often cruel environment. They trade stories and possess a unique sense of wonder that makes them attuned to the beauty around them. Luckily, they find an ally in the enigmatic madame Voisine, full of kindness and stories too.

I urge you to read Starling, it’s such a tender, unique tale. You can read my thoughts on it here and get your own copy there.

Kirsten has been bold and persistent enough to put her story in the world, and I couldn’t help but wonder about the journey that brought her there. She kindly agreed to answer my questions by email. 

Her thoughtful answers are a reminder that every writing journey is unique, and I hope this peek into her process can encourage the aspiring writers among us to embark on their own journey, however winding it can be! I am sure all book and word lovers will enjoy reading her reflections. So here go!

Kirsten Cram, picture courtesy of the author

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 Have you always been a reader?
Yes, I grew up in a beautiful and somewhat remote area of western Canada.  My parents decided against having a television in the home, so books and nature were a source of refuge, entertainment, and escape.  I spent many cozy hours in the public library, as well, and considered my library card a prized possession.  

Picture courtesy of Kirsten Cram

When did you decide you wanted to write a novel?
I suppose I had a notion of wanting to write from a very early age.  In the 1^st grade I remember folding a tiny book from a piece of notebook paper entitled, “I like mice,” complete with illustrations.  I have a vivid imagination and love of language, and much of the time it feels as if I’m living an alternate narrative in my head.  I became more serious about writing a novel after keeping a blog for several years; that daily writing practice helped me grow in confidence and ability for what I suppose one calls a “writer’s voice.”

Did you try your hand at other forms? Poetry? Short stories?
Not as seriously as I would like, but I have written a very few poems and short stories over the years.

Can you give us an overview of your timeline working on Starling? 
I honestly can’t recall, that’s how long the process took.  As I don’t interact with other writers, I can only speak to my own experience, but life rather shockingly doesn’t seem to make much allowance for writing time.  A friend once told me: you will always have a very good reason not to write, and it’s painfully true.  I have a hundred good reasons!  I believe Starling was written over a period of perhaps six or seven years, but that includes the manuscript being locked away in a turret while I returned to university to complete a master’s degree in the interim.

What does a writing session look like for you?
I’m currently working on another novel but again, it seems there are such pressing demands pulling me away from this pursuit.  I find writing to be a consuming endeavor, making it difficult to balance reality and the world of a story, difficult to sit down for one hour and switch gears into writing mode, then switch back when the time is up.  My brain is rather dreamy in nature and can get spirited away by what I’m writing, which is problematic as real life also deserves (and demands!) my attention.  If there are writers out there who can grab a free moment here and there and make actual progress, all while remaining present in their other roles, my wonder and admiration goes to them.

When do you show your work to someone else? Bit by bit or when it’s all done?
With Starling, I rather kept the story sequestered until it was complete, likely because it felt presumptuous to consider myself a writer and call on someone to be an audience.  If one of my daughters happened to be walking by as I was writing, I sometimes asked them to sit and listen for a bit, but mainly I read the pages aloud to myself.  When the story was finished I shared it with a few friends as I was seeking literary representation, but beyond that it felt very much like launching a maiden voyage when Starling was finally available in book form.  
With this second novel (and progress is limping along so slowly I hesitate to call it that!), a dear friend who enjoyed Starling has been very gracious to listen to me read aloud chapters from time to time, and I love her for it.   

Do you read some passages aloud to get feedback?
See my earlier response but yes, it’s essential to read one’s work aloud.  I read my work aloud to myself all the time and it helps me catch details, nuances, flaws in syntax and meaning I would have otherwise missed.  

Do you do a lot of research? How do you go about that?
Not especially because to date my work has been set in the time period and general geographic area where I grew up, though I’m now suddenly wondering if I’m dreadfully unambitious!

Do you get help for editing? From whom?
No; therefore, it was both incredibly fascinating and enlightening to hear from readers on bookstagram who asked such insightful questions about Starling or pointed out details they felt were not especially credible (e.g. the main characters speaking in a sophisticated way that belied their young age).  Upon reflection, it struck me it might have been wise to get more feedback before going to press, though I’m not sure I would have changed many details, anyway. 

How do you know a novel is done done?
I can only speak to my experience writing one novel, and I knew it was done because it pretty much finished me off. 

Do you have other creative activities or hobbies?
Yes!  I love languages and dearly wish I was multilingual!  I love to read, draw, play the piano and violin, and be in nature…walking, hiking, observing insects and sometimes keeping them as pets.  I love my work as a mental health therapist and am very interested in people, in general.  Also, I consider it the highest privilege to be a mother and regard raising my children as my greatest creative expression.  

Picture courtesy of Kirsten Cram

Do/ did you read (bedtime) stories to your children?
Yes, I read to my children all the time, recited poetry with them, spent afternoons in the library with them, and read to their classmates at school.  I still remember being read to as a child and hope my children retain warm memories of that time spent together, too.  

What’s your favourite word?
Oh, what an impossible question, dear Kémy!  I love words!  I simply adore them!  This is actually a theme in the story I’m currently writing.  I think about words all the time and feel there is such beauty, such recalcitrance, such a beckoning pull and power to them.  Words are a constant company to me.  I hope to finish this story and put it out into the world someday, then you’ll know exactly what I mean.     

Oh I so look forward to reading it! I do love words and language myself. Their origin, their multiple meanings … and their music! Thank you so much for agreeing to this Q&A!

Thank you for giving me a chance to think on these questions, Kémy!