Meet the Writer

A Challenge Revisit from last July

Photo by Thom Milkovic on Unsplash

Last July, I participated in Beth Kempton’s #meetthewriter challenge on Instagram. Her focus was sharing ourselves as writers in connection to her new book.

A writer I met through the challenge, Laura Trott, shared her answers on her Substack. I marked it on my calendar to revisit these questions.

1. DESK - What is on your desk?

   This answer is mostly the same as last year. My desk is still full of books, notecards, and tarot cards. It has been hot this summer so I have not lit candles in a while. A new addition is a book stand so I can transcribe my notebooks. It has been a game-changer by making it easier. There are little arms to hold the pages and the angle makes it easier to scan my handwriting and type on whatever document is appropriate.

   I also started using 60-page kraft paper notebooks for my revision group and workshops I am taking. I lose the notes in my Everything notebook otherwise. They are lined up next to the card catalog for easy access.
   
   The desk itself was a thrift find from one of the many trips to Florida. It was a gift from my husband and my mother-in-law went with him to pick it up which makes it more special to me.

2. TIME - When do you write?

   My preferred time is just after waking with a cup of coffee in one hand and my pen in the other. The cat still lounges on my notebook. We often reach a compromise and he lays next to my legs. I have been composing more on the computer because it is a process to transcribe. I have many notebooks that still have not been touched in the bookcases.
   
   I write all the time. I write when I am walking. I write when driving and in the shower. Many notes are taken throughout the day.

   This summer I have been sinking into a flow I haven’t tapped into for years. I often will write from 6 am to the late afternoon and lose the feel of the time.
   
   I am always thinking about a story. This is my writer's life!

3. MOTIVATION - Why do I write?

   
   I am compelled to write and get cranky if I do not.
   I want people to think about magic.
   I write because I have something to say and have to write the words to sometimes know what that is.
   I write because I believe reading and writing are connected.
   I write because it is part of who I am.
   I write because I love it.

4. CHAMPIONS - Who are you grateful to and for championing my work?

   
   
   #1 My husband has been my champion even when we weren't together. He is the first one to remind me to say YES to opportunities. He has given me the life I have now and I am more grateful than there are words for. He loves this writing part of me.
   
   My readers. The ones I know and the ones I don't. Thank you.
   
   My son and Disney buddy is the one who defends my writing career to everyone including those who only knew me as an educator. Many people from my old life do not understand my new life path.

5. INSPIRATION - Whose writing do you love? How have their words inspired you?

There is a list of authors that I come back to over and over. I am always reading new work so the list only gets longer.

Neil Gaiman’s work is intriguing because of the quality of words and the variety of genres.

Pam Houston is an inspiration as a writer and a teacher. She is generous and kind and can see inside of you . She is magic and we share a love of Iceland.

Chelsea Stickle and Jessica Klimesh for their writing and their friendship.

Beth Kempton and her books quietly came into my life.

Sarah Selecky has been my teacher and I adore her short story collection. Her Centered community has changed my writing and connections to other writers.

Chari, Nancy, Hollie, and Mana who I check in with often.

My life inspires me every day and the people whom I love around me.

6. MUSIC - What do you listen to when you write?

   I prefer silence when I write. If I am having trouble focusing, I sometimes put on white noise in the form of a train in the winter or Tibetan singing bowls. Otherwise, I go for a walk.
   
   Writing while music with words is playing doesn't work for me.

The rest of the words/questions/answers will be in Part 2 of the #meetthewriter

If you want to follow along, choose a question and answer it in the comments!