She Creates: Patrice gopo

Patrice Gopo started by writing in the “gaps in her life” like the preschool carpool line. Now she has two published books and two more on the way.

In the summer of 2018, I had coffee with a local Charlotte author, Patrice Gopo, who reached out after discovering we both had books being published by the same publisher. We had much to share about the struggles of breaking into publishing, the vulnerability of writing nonfiction and embarking into this new territory of a “writing life.”

I think what struck me that very first time about Patrice was the beauty and thoughtfulness of her words. Sometimes I have the habit of speaking the first sentences that come to mind, but Patrice seemed to carefully choose her words not because she was holding back but because she was giving more. Patrice seemed to understand the power of good phrase—whether on the page or over coffee—and she is always giving you her best thoughts as if she is selecting just the right words for you and for this moment.

When I asked her to teach one of our Friday morning workshops, I hoped she would lead “Beautiful Stories,” and I was thrilled when she said—yes! As of this writing, there are still a few spots left for this small group journaling experience on Friday March 17, 2023, 9-11am. Register here

If you can’t join us, below is an interview with Patrice about her beautiful work and developing a writing life.

—Kathy

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Patrice’s early career:

With an undergraduate degree in engineering, Patrice had not planned on becoming the author of adult and children’s books. After receiving an MBA and Master’s in Public Policy, Patrice wanted to focus on working with underserved communities and material poverty issues. While in South Africa working with women in micro-lending for their small businesses, Patrice met the man who would eventually become her husband, Nyasha Gopo. After they married, Patrice moved to South Africa, but she didn’t have a work permit.  As they started a family, Patrice remembers writing even as her young daughter was only a few months old.

“I would hold my iPod while she nursed, and it had a note feature so I would type in while I was feeding her!” Patrice said.

Women often think there just is not time to write with work and family obligations, so I asked Patrice how with two young daughters, she managed to write her first book, an essay collection All the Colors We Will See.

“I started writing in the gaps of my life,” Patrice said. “Even in the preschool pick up line, I would find five minutes to capture a thought. I also remember keeping a notepad in the kitchen and while I waited for the spaghetti to boil, I would jot down notes.”

Patrice said it was in these “pockets of time” that she composed her essays. She didn’t have time to write 2500 words at once, but she could write 300 words 8 times and together, they made a finished piece.

Patrice on why she loves to teach these workshops:

“You don’t have to be a writer to think about your own story,” Patrice believes. “Writing is just one tool to do that.”

Patrice loves creating space to connect with ourselves and others through story. Sometimes people can get overwhelmed thinking about the whole of their life because the lens is just too big.

“When you allow people the time to reflect and to dwell on specific aspects of their own stories, you narrow the lens,” Patrice said. “I think it is in the particulars that you get understanding towards the whole.”

Patrice believes everyone’s story is beautiful and she wants to help people discover a deeper appreciation for the importance of naming stories and sharing stories. “I also want to help people gain a deeper understanding for the ways our stories connect us and the places they diverge.”

This is the heart of the type of work Patrice wants to do—the power of story to understand ourselves and connect us with others.

Patrice on her “writerly life:”

With two books in print and two coming out (a new essay collection, Autumn Song: Essays on Absence, fall 2023, and a children’s book Summer 2024), Patrice writes, speaks and teaches.

“I have cobbled together a writing existence,” she laughed but it is much more than just existing!

Her first essay collection was honored as a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection and Patrice leads retreats, workshops and has become a mentor for emerging writers at the Collegeville Institute. She also started a podcast called, “Picture Books Are for Grown-Ups Too! where she interviews picture book authors, illustrators, and enthusiasts about how picture books can “affirm our experiences, introduce us to new perspectives, serve as conversation starters, foster meaningful reflection, and give us words to make sense of the world!”.

Patrice on the fears writers face:

Often women have a story they want to write but different fears maybe holding them back. I asked Patrice about her own doubts and inner critic.

“My fear has changed over time I think,” Patrice said. “In the beginning it was the longing for publication and the constant disappointment.”

Patrice believes that eventually actually helped her with her fear, “But I kept submitting and I think I built up my rejection muscle!”

Once she was published it was more the fear of reader reactions. “You put yourself out there and you pour your heart into your work and you realize you are opening yourself up to what people say. They can say anything! Or nothing—what if there is no response? It’s a vulnerable place to be.”

Eventually Patrice said her husband helped her recognized that it is really a courageous place to be rather than a vulnerable place to be. “He said he thought it took a lot of courage to be a writer,” she said. “That felt more like what I wanted to live into.”

Patrice’s advice to writers:

When I asked Patrice what she would tell someone who wanted to write a book or publish their work, she took a long pause. Just as I had met her five years ago, Patrice was thoughtful with her words. “Give me a minute,” she said. “I want to get this right.”

After a few moments she said, “I would tell them not to push their fear away. We are going to have fear, right? So, ask themselves ‘how can I co-exist with fear and neutralize the effect?’”

Patrice and I went on to talk about acknowledging what your particular fear might be—fear of failure, fear of success, fear of criticism, fear of rejection.

“Take the power away from the fear by acknowledging it but also knowing it is a sign that you are doing something courageous,” Patrice said. “When I am in the presence of fear, it is a sign that I may be moving din the right direction!”

_____________________

Patrice Gopo is an award-winning essayist and the author of books for adults and children. Her essay collection, All the Colors We Will See, was Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. Her debut picture book, All the Places We Call Home, was inspired by one of the essays in her collection. As the child of Jamaican immigrants who was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Patrice often writes about racial identity formation, immigration experiences, and the beauty of living a multifaceted life. Learn more www.patricegopo.com 

Kathy Izard is the founder of Women | Faith & Story (www.womenfaithstory.com) and the award-winning author of three books. Her first memoir The Hundred Story Home released in 2016, received a Christopher Award for outstanding inspirational nonfiction. In 2019, she created a children’s book, A Good Night for Mr. Coleman with artist Evelyn Henson, encouraging kids to dream big and do good. Her new memoir, The Last Ordinary Hour, is now available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback through your favorite booksellers. Kathy’s work has been featured on NPR as well as the Today Show inspiring people to be changemakers in their communities. Learn more www.kathyizard.com.