“Writing a book can be mind-blowingly fun, silly, joyful & easy."
AUTHOR TESSA CASE ON writing her novel in
THE HEROINE COLLECTIVE
First-time author Tessa Case completed the first draft of her Shirley Jackson–inspired novel at 96,000-words with time to spare! We asked her a few questions about The Heroine Collective (formerly Ambitious Authors’ Mastermind) experience.
As we prepare to open our doors for the next Heroine Collective — a circle of writers who will become authors by completing the first draft of their book in six months (we start writing January 13, 2025!) — we’re sharing the book-writing experiences of some of our amazing past members right here on the blog.
Tessa completed the first draft of her Shirley Jackson–inspired novel at 96,000-words in our first ever Heroine Collective (formerly Ambitious Authors’ Mastermind), and with time to spare! We asked her a few questions about her experience.
Tessa Case is a writer in Birmingham, AL, where she lives with her cat, Coraline. Her work can be found in The Writing Disorder and is forthcoming at Maudlin House. Visit her website tessacase.com for more.
How do you feel having achieved your goal of writing a first draft in just six months?
Oh my God, if I really think about it for longer than five minutes, I cry. I am so damn proud and excited for myself. I am so damn proud and excited for my fellow writers. I am engulfed in gratitude for this experience, and for Kate’s guidance.
I feel more aligned, more on purpose, more joyful and freer than I ever have. It’s more than just the book as an end result. The willingness to try, the willingness to show up badly versus not at all, proving to myself that I can do it, time and time again—all of it was invaluable.
I feel confident, I feel inspired, I feel willing to meet my book over and over again, as many times as it takes, to bring it fully out into the world.
How were you feeling about your book project before you decided to join the mastermind?
The idea for this story, in varying forms, had existed in my head for around a year. I had flirted with the idea of it becoming something larger, but it never actually occurred to me that it would be a book. That I would actually write it, and in six months at that. I guess that is to say that I felt lost prior to the mastermind. Writing a book seemed so large and challenging. I couldn’t even imagine getting my thoughts organized enough to even go at it. And I certainly had no confidence that I would ever be able to write something with enough words to be considered a book.
What have you accomplished in working with Kate and your fellow writers that you wouldn’t have accomplished otherwise?
I mean, I wrote a book! I truly do not think I would have, at least not for a long time, been confident enough to even try without Kate’s support. And it certainly wouldn’t have been as fun, as easy, as free flowing and joyous as it was without her.
What was your favourite part of the experience?
There is nothing like having a container for this type of work. The laughs, the tears, the joys, the frustrations were all that much more vibrant, alive and beautiful because they were shared with wonderful women who were in it, too, who wanted your success as much as you did, who took time out of their days to be with you and contribute to the collective space.
Writing can be lonely, but you don’t have to go at it alone—and, after this experience, I don’t think anyone should. A built-in community, all starting at the same place, all climbing the same mountain—it was incredible. I am so, so, so grateful to have been a part of it.
Is there a lasting impression or lesson you’re holding onto?
It can be fun. Writing a book can be frustrating, maddening, challenging, sad or difficult. It can make you feel like you actually have no idea what language is or how to use it. But it can also be fun. It can be mind-blowingly fun, silly, joyful and easy. And the words that come when it is easy and fun and exciting are just as beautiful and important, if not more so, than the words that came from what felt like splitting my bones apart.
Do you have any advice for writers who may be feeling as you once did after your experience?
Give yourself a real, fair shot at writing your book. Make the commitment, meet yourself at your writing desk, and give that small voice that already deeply, truly believes you can do this some space to whisper to you. Listen to it, and astonish yourself over and over and over again as it turns out to be right. Your book doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to exist.
How do you feel now about the road ahead?
I feel great. I feel excited. There is, naturally, the part of me that wonders, “Dear God, am I really going to write 95,000 words again? And again?” And the other part answers, “Yes! Of course!” I can’t imagine anything I’d rather be doing with my time, and that’s a really, really great place to be.
kate juniper
LEO 🌞 VIRGO 🌝 VIRGO ⇧
Kate is the Founder & CEO (Chief Embodiment Officer) of WHOLE HOUSE. She is a writer & book editor; trauma-trained & certified MindBody somatic coach; Reiki Master & energy healer; workshop & retreat facilitator, & serial creative entrepreneur.
As a neurospicy survivor of CSA, she’s seen some sh*t—and many, many thanks to somatics, she has lived to tell the tale—and to support fellow ambitious, creative, multi-passionate and “squiggly-brained” women and femmes to alchemize their pasts into powerful fuel for their stunning futures, just as she has. 💛