This is one of my favorite podcasts of yours yet! I really enjoyed Kate’s thoughts on writing and what it took for her to get here. Her take on the discovery draft resonated with me the most. I have a few stories that I started and stopped because I felt it wasn’t going anywhere. I’ve never thought to just go back and finish them. You never know where these trashed stories of ours will end.
At about 6 minutes in, there is a thread that addresses the idea that there is no one (or “right”) way to self-identify as a writer. Or put in other words, you don’t have to be driven to write every day, or write a certain number of words each day, or whatever the “tweets of the moment” may dictate, to call yourself a writer.
I think this concept is sooooo important. A year or so ago I heard a famous critically and financially successful writer basically dismiss the notion that writing can be incredibly hard (the old bleeding at the keyboard thing)—that if you didn’t LOVE writing—every moment of it—you shouldn’t be a writer.
For a day or two, that sort of brought me to my knees because for me, writing is hard. The same way that running ½ marathons was hard. I didn’t love every minute of it, but I loved the end result.
And it’s good to be reminded that one person’s perspective (no matter how “famous” they may be) is just that. We are all different, there is no one-size-fits-all and we get to choose not only how we approach the work, but what labels we do (writer) or don’t, assign ourselves.
Thanks for introducing me to Kate—oh, and also, I loved this idea of weaving in old ideas or characters into your work. In a new book I’m working on, my main character owns an “elevated” travel wear company based on an idea that came to me years ago that I never had the passion to launch--the concept was “From the Mountain to MOMA.” By having my protagonist own that company, it’s as if it were actually a living thing!
YES! That resonated with me so much, as well, Diana. You're right that we are all very different--that's why we make art, right? To bring our unique perspectives to the table? So then why do we think that we should all have the same method or approach to making that art? You are absolutely right that just because one famous writer does things a certain way doesn't mean that it's the "correct" or only way. I loved how Kate was able to articulate that.
Also, how cool about your travel clothing idea! This is truly one of my favorite things you've shared--I love that you, too, can see a different life for past ideas and revive them into something new, in a new form.
Thank you, as always, for listening/watching, and for your insightful comments, Diana!
Loved this episode! So much to learn as a new writer about continuing to move forward in our writing, changing our mindsets, and thinking of the work as “discovery drafts.” Thanks for sharing!
This is one of my favorite podcasts of yours yet! I really enjoyed Kate’s thoughts on writing and what it took for her to get here. Her take on the discovery draft resonated with me the most. I have a few stories that I started and stopped because I felt it wasn’t going anywhere. I’ve never thought to just go back and finish them. You never know where these trashed stories of ours will end.
I also loved that last bit of advice she gave, Mica! I wonder what will happen if you dust off those old ideas of yours... 😁
At about 6 minutes in, there is a thread that addresses the idea that there is no one (or “right”) way to self-identify as a writer. Or put in other words, you don’t have to be driven to write every day, or write a certain number of words each day, or whatever the “tweets of the moment” may dictate, to call yourself a writer.
I think this concept is sooooo important. A year or so ago I heard a famous critically and financially successful writer basically dismiss the notion that writing can be incredibly hard (the old bleeding at the keyboard thing)—that if you didn’t LOVE writing—every moment of it—you shouldn’t be a writer.
For a day or two, that sort of brought me to my knees because for me, writing is hard. The same way that running ½ marathons was hard. I didn’t love every minute of it, but I loved the end result.
And it’s good to be reminded that one person’s perspective (no matter how “famous” they may be) is just that. We are all different, there is no one-size-fits-all and we get to choose not only how we approach the work, but what labels we do (writer) or don’t, assign ourselves.
Thanks for introducing me to Kate—oh, and also, I loved this idea of weaving in old ideas or characters into your work. In a new book I’m working on, my main character owns an “elevated” travel wear company based on an idea that came to me years ago that I never had the passion to launch--the concept was “From the Mountain to MOMA.” By having my protagonist own that company, it’s as if it were actually a living thing!
YES! That resonated with me so much, as well, Diana. You're right that we are all very different--that's why we make art, right? To bring our unique perspectives to the table? So then why do we think that we should all have the same method or approach to making that art? You are absolutely right that just because one famous writer does things a certain way doesn't mean that it's the "correct" or only way. I loved how Kate was able to articulate that.
Also, how cool about your travel clothing idea! This is truly one of my favorite things you've shared--I love that you, too, can see a different life for past ideas and revive them into something new, in a new form.
Thank you, as always, for listening/watching, and for your insightful comments, Diana!
Thanks, Evelyn! And as always, thanks for being so attentive and engaged in creating your wonderful community.
Loved this episode! So much to learn as a new writer about continuing to move forward in our writing, changing our mindsets, and thinking of the work as “discovery drafts.” Thanks for sharing!
I'm thrilled that it was helpful to you, Julie!
Great podcast!!
aww, thank you so much, Katie! I really enjoying doing these interviews for you and the community!