I’m fascinated by the creative process, my own creative process, and other people’s creative processes. My life has been immeasurably enriched by other people sharing their creative gifts through all kinds of mediums (though novels have always brought me the greatest joy). I love hearing about how writers and artists found their inspiration, their passion, their methods, their courage, their support systems––everything that went into allowing their works of art to come into being.
I’m on a journey of self-discovery as well, as I seek to live into my dream of becoming a novelist. What gets in my way? Sure, I’ve had a job and a family and occasional health challenges and various responsibilities that I’ve been juggling but so have many writers and artists who’ve been able to produce bodies of work. What’s been holding me back? Why have I been so afraid?
Fear of public failure is of course one factor. If I don’t let anyone know I’m trying to write a novel, no one’s going to know if I fail to produce one. If I don’t let people know how much I want to write something of value, something that gives pleasure and meaning and encouragement and hope to some readers, then if I don’t succeed at that, no one will judge me.
And what spurs me on? What has kept my writing dream alive over all these years? Certainly, the community of people with whom I’ve shared my dreams and my drafts, who encourage me to keep working on my craft, who tell me what they enjoy about my stories, who tell me, in a way that makes me believe them, that I’ve got to get my novels out into the world.
And of course, there are the characters themselves still lounging around in my head, leaning against a counter, looking at their watches, striking up a conversation with other characters, saying, “She still has time. She can do this. We’re not going anywhere.” And then calling out, “Hey, we’re here, Kate. Whenever you’re ready to tell our story. But let’s not wait forever, okay?”
Now that I have my book, First Impressions: Five Short Love Stories, published, I have more confidence that I can do this novel writing thing. Because characters who once only took up space in my head now exist for people to read their stories: Pinkie and Craig, Sean and Sarah, Jean and Chuck, Doug and Heidi and Monster, Gretchen and Vic and Joe and Brad. And I’m so fond of these characters and the little worlds they exist in. There is so much more where they came from.
I’m always interested in hearing about other people’s creative journeys or stories that changed their lives. If you’d like to be in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
