Tonight I’m joined by Finnish-Canadian author, certified book coach, and podcaster A. L. Jensen (aka Liisa Kovola) to explore how reinvention, discipline, and a dash of Nordic comfort can transform both a writing life and a mystery series.  We dig into her pivot from teaching to full-time creativity, why she split her work between pen names, and how book coaching accelerates craft, confidence, and completion. A. L. shares the inspiration behind her Nordic cozy Hygge House series—where small-town charm meets culture, community, and just the right amount of murder—and how midlife changes fueled her storytelling. We also unpack the power of accountability, the realities of finishing a book, and why readers are craving warmth and connection alongside their whodunits. You’ll hear practical insights on plotting vs. pantsing, the value of mentorship, and the tough-love truths new writers need. A. L. also talks about becoming Canada’s first Asahi Nordic instructor, embracing multiple creative identities, and how podcasting helps introverted storytellers find their public voice. If you’ve got a book inside you—or a new chapter of life to write—this conversation is your nudge to start before you feel perfectly ready. Guest: A.L. Jensen (Liisa Kovala)https://liisakovalabookcoach.comhttps://liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com Watch and Followhttps://Rumble.com/JoeRoozhttps://YouTube.com/@JoeRoozFOLLOW US ON:X: https://x.com/joeroozFacebook: https://facebook.com/joeroozshowTwitch TV: https://twitch.tv/joeroozInstagram: https://instagram.com/notjoeroozTikTok: https://tiktok.com/joe.roozMinds: https://minds.com/joeroozGETTR: https://gettr.com/joeroozSpecial thanks to:Executive Producer Wayne RankinExecutive Producer Rosanna RankinExecutive Producer Carolina JimenezExecutive Producer Angela WetuskiExecutive Producer John SeeleyWant to be a guest on The Joe Rooz Show?Send Joe a message on #PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/joeCheck out our partners:Podhome.fmCreative EdgeMusic: https://youtube.com/@pogo️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5724294587940864(01:48) Opening monologue and show intro from Asylum Studios(02:26) Tonight’s topic and guest tease: fiction, cozies, and execution(03:06) Housekeeping: website, contact options, live schedule, algorithms(05:36) Guest setup: introducing A. L. Jensen and the Hygge House series(07:00) Reunion banter and catching up on time passing(08:07) What’s new: two books released and becoming an Asahi Nordic instructor(10:01) Origins: deciding to write and the moment it became serious(12:26) Career pivots, burnout, and listening to the body(16:15) Pen names and creative freedom: Lisa Kovala vs. A. L. Jensen(19:45) Defining book coaching and how coaching relationships work(22:23) Learning craft: mentoring, feedback, and tough love(26:39) Fit matters: vetting clients and choosing the right coach(27:59) Pantsing vs. plotting and finishing the first draft(29:42) Can great writing be taught? Talent, practice, and growth(31:25) Sisu and finishing: what separates completers from dreamers(33:00) Why shift to cozy mysteries and how the idea arrived(35:00) Defining Nordic cozy and weaving Finnish heritage(37:52) Hyg