February 18, 2024

There's nothing to it but to do it

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A funny thing has happened to me recently when I've taken writing classes, or sat in on writing panels, like I did last week at AWP in Kansas City. "I've heard this before," I've found myself thinking. "Why am I here?"

This is by no means to suggest that I know all there is to know about writing (ha!) or that I don't have much to learn. But I've started to realize that maybe, just maybe, I've been using writing classes as a form of productive procrastination. Do you ever google "how to have a regular writing practice?" for the thousandth time rather than just, you know, sitting down to write? Yeah, me neither...

About a decade ago, when I was trying to figure out what to do with my life, I briefly had this dream of starting a combination flower/garlic farm (I was going to call it Olfactory Farms). At the time, I was working at the farmer's market for some friends and borrowing books from one of them, Rodger. One day, Rodger handed another book to me and then cocked his head. "You know, Kate, you can read a lot about farming, but at some point you just have to get digging and see what happens."

To no one's surprise, I did not become a garlic/flower farmer. But I have often thought about Rodger's advice, and I think it is equally applicable to writing.

No matter how many great writing classes you take, panels you attend, or, yes, podcasts you listen to, the only way to really learn how to be a better writer is to sit down and write.

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New Episode: Grace Elizabeth Hale is Undisciplined

Episode 40 came out this week, and in it I spoke with Dr. Grace Elizabeth Hale. Grace's new book, In the Pines, bowled me over, and it was a joy to talk with her. Grace loves the craft of writing, and it's clear from our interview how seriously she takes it. I was especially interested in how she created a sense of place, in both the past and present, because her scenic descriptions were a pleasure to read. You'll also learn a lot about the power of great agents and editors in this one. Listen here.