Congratulations to Halie Marbet from Bracciano, Italy for her moving nonfiction essay titled:
Check out Halie’s submission, Look Both Ways as well as all the other winning entries and then stop back here to read Halie Marbet’s intriguing and insightful interview with Crystal J. Casavant-Otto from WOW! Women on Writing.
Halie’s Bio:
Hallie Marbet has been writing voraciously for over five years. Her story, Anna, the Island and Me, placed second in a WOW essay contest recently. In addition to her shorter pieces, she has written three children’s books: The Catch, Changing Charlie and Chalk Doors, along with three novels: Final Dawn, Fog and Divergent. She’s presently working on her next novel, Bad Progeny. She draws inspiration through reflection and meaningful observation. Her birthplace, Plum Island, Massachusetts, has always held her heart, but has never stopped her from living in a myriad of different places. Currently, she resides with her family in Bracciano, Italy, teaching ESL. When she’s not writing or working, she can be found swimming, spending time with family or somewhere lost in translation.
Today's interview was penned by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
WOW!: Thank you for being here with me today Halie and thank you for writing such an insightful essay (as someone who is often too much, I loved it!). Let’s get right down to it!
Thank you for writing such an insightful and personal essay – what is the take-away you’d like readers to gain from reading Look Both Ways?
Halie: We shouldn’t let other people influence how we feel about what we say or do. In a society becoming increasingly dependent on the virtual world of ‘likes’, we should just like ourselves. There is no need to gain approval from others. Unfortunately, we are taught from infancy that we should appease people through our language and behavior and within this psychological game, we lose ourselves.
Be true to you. Listen to your gut, your heart, and your mind.
They are unique, like you. If they tell you to laugh, laugh.
If they tell you to scream, scream.
WOW!: That’s great advice - and speaking of which, what advice would you give to others (specifically female authors) when it comes to self care?
Halie: Take time for yourself. No one will give it to you.
Eat the ice cream; drink the wine. Go for a long swim, walk, or run. Clear your head of the mess that accrues each day.
If you can’t get up early to write, stay up late to write. Find the time.
Be alone. Sometimes we listen too much to other people and not enough to ourselves. Our voices speak up when we’re listening, giving us ideas for writing.
Remember, no one writes like you. Your thoughts, ideas and words are like snowflakes, utterly unique.
And never stop putting words on paper.
WOW!: Well that’s frame-worthy advice! Or maybe you should call me every morning with that fabulous pep-talk! That would get me motivated - which brings me to my next question: You’re obviously not lacking motivation, so tell us, what’s next for you? What are your writing goals for the rest of 2026 and beyond?
Halie: We are in the process of moving. I’ve been chipping away at short stories when I can find the time. After we get settled, I’ll choose my new place for writing. The new apartment has lots of glorious light and I plan on rising early to continue writing ‘Bad Progeny’. I prefer mornings before the weight of the day bears down on me.
I will also be working endlessly on short stories and essays for submission to contests. That wheel never stops turning.
WOW!: As someone who just moved - I hope you get settled faster than we have! I know readers have noticed your impressive bio, could you tell us one more about your travels or passion for Plum Island, Massachusetts?
step outside of your house right into a salt marsh that stretched for miles, a place where you could roam, investigate, swim, and have your imagination run wild, a place where the colors of the sunset would take you to profound spaces in your mind, a place where the salty breeze lulled you to sleep each night.
I learned to swim in the frosty waters of the Atlantic Ocean where the undertow always threatened to take me under. I became a very strong swimmer, so much so that later in life I would swim around a Belizan island by myself.
Plum Island inspired my children’s story, ‘The Catch’ which I wrote with my best friend, who is also from Plum Island.
WOW!: Thank you for that beautiful insight and the lovely photograph you also provided! You have a bit of a history with writing contests according to your bio. - tell us what prompted you to submit to this particular contest? What would you like to tell other authors concerning contests and submitting their work?
Halie: WOW! was my first and is my favorite writing contest. I think I was initially drawn to it since it’s only for women writers. I submitted an essay about losing my mom five years ago and it was long listed. That recognition started a fire in my chest, and it’s still burning.
I cannot emphasize enough just how important it is to submit your work to writing contests. Even if you don’t place, you are giving yourself deadlines and a standard. Read winning entries, format properly and get that exciting feeling in your stomach before you hit ‘send’. Maybe you’ll place, if not today, maybe tomorrow. Let it push you into the great unknown. Your writing will inspire others and who knows, maybe someday you could even make a living as a writer.
Lastly, pay extra for critiques. This might be the most important thing you can do to improve your writing. I have grown as a writer because of the priceless feedback I have received from experienced writers and editors.
WOW!: Halie - my heart is full and I’m sorry that our time has come to an end (although I have a feeling we will be hearing from you again soon). Thank you for all the great insight and advice; I know readers will enjoy our interview as much as I did! This isn’t “goodbye”, it’s “see you soon”!
Xoxo
~Crystal
Crystal Casavant-Otto writes.
Everything.
If you follow her blog: Bring On Lemons you have likely laid eyes on every thought she has ever had. The world may never know her name, but she prays that because of her, someone may smile a little brighter. She prides herself on doing nice things - yes, even for strangers. She is always up for a challenge whether it’s living in the basement, living on a boat, or buying a dairy farm!
You never know where she’ll turn up next or what she’ll be doing, but it’s guaranteed she’ll be having fun!
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