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Meet Momwriter

Kim Hoelzli by Lisa Beamer

Reigning from Thamesford Ontario, Canada, Kim Hoelzli is one Momwriter who leads a fascinating life full of diverse interests. She writes on a variety of topics, both fiction and non-fiction; she's in her fourth year of an Honour's Degree in English Literature at the University of Western Ontario and she is an avid hockey player as well!

Kim has been married to her husband, Paul, for almost 11 years. "On our first date, he took me fishing at the Whirlpool in Niagara Falls. I believe he married me when he discovered I could bait my own hook," quips Kim. Kim and Paul have two sons, Brian, eight, and Robbie, six.

Kim's interest in writing began at age ten, when she was given her father's portable typewriter for her birthday. "I can remember feeling really good after typing 'Chapter 1' centered on the clean, white sheet. If I wrote more than that, I couldn't tell you."

By Grade 12, she designed, wrote, edited and took all of the pictures for her own newsletter as part of her co-op program. Her first poem was published in a school anthology in Grade 13, a project for which she was later named editor.

Today, Kim enjoys writing on many topics. Her non-fiction specialty is children's literacy and writing. She has a monthly column at Writers-Exchange called "Simply Style," which addresses grammar and style issues. She also writes a journal about her children at momsgetaway.com. Fiction-wise, she tries to write literary fiction, however, she says, "Vampires and monsters show up, so I've decided to focus on horror writing."

To date, her proudest moment as a writer was when the Waterford Institute accepted a story she wrote for their reading intervention program.

Many people have been supportive of Kim when it comes to her writing. "Though most people around me didn't understand why I do this. I always knew they were behind me." Kim credits Momwriters as being a huge support because of all she has learned through the list. She also joined the Writing Buddy program and was paired up with Shelley Divnich Haggert. "She's been very supportive personally and in my writing."

Hockey is another love in Kim's life. "I play for the Thamesford Flying Witches," explains Kim, "an all women's hockey team. We have a standing Thursday morning game against a men's Huff'n'Puff hockey team. The oldest man in their league is 82, 50 years older than me." After their games, the teams have coffee and donuts together.

When she's not writing or playing hockey, Kim also enjoys reading, walking, inline skating, riding her bike and Sacred Dancing.

Some fun facts about Kim:

Pets: In addition to a nine-year-old German Shepherd named Jezebel, Kim explains, "We are renovating a farmhouse that is over 100 years old. There are lots of little places wildlife can slip into, so we say our house is home to all of God's creatures. I try not to count them as pets, though. It's too hard to empty God's creatures out of the mouse trap when they have names."

Favorite author and book: Her favorite book is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. Her favorite authors include Stephen King, Jane Urquhart, Wally Lamb, Margaret Laurence and her most recent discovery, horror writer David Whitman.

How she procrastinates when she should be writing: Says Kim, "When I'm procrastinating, suddenly I see all the dirt in the house. And the laundry. And the dishes. I see all of the housework that needs doing. Fortunately, if you could see my house right now, you'd know that I don't procrastinate often."

Favorite Vacation Spot: Home alone while her family is gone.

Last movie seen in a theatre: "Rugrats in Paris. We all gave it two sticky thumbs up. I'm glad Chuckie's got a Mom now!"

Where she writes: At her computer in a little corner of the laundry room between the kitchen and the back door. "It's a pretty high-traffic area," she says, "but I'm nosey by nature so I always know what's going on when I sit here." She also likes writing long hand in spiral notebooks, usually when she is outside or at a coffee shop.

What she thinks would surprise people about her: "I think it would surprise people if they knew how much I crave being alone. I do many activities outside of the home like hockey that require a group, and I think most people think I'm an extrovert because of it, but I'm not.

If she could change one thing about her life: "I'm pretty happy with what I have. However, if I was dreaming big, I would be independently wealthy. My husband wouldn't have to work and he could stay home and do the housework."

Kim is a contributor to the book, "Writer's Exchange 2000--Writing Advice by Writers." Kim can be reached at kahoelzl@uwo.ca.

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