This is the first in a new series of author interviews about momentum, mastery and marketing for writers of novels, memoir and other narrative fiction and non-fiction. Here Elizabeth interviews Kate Moses, who was very generous with her time and, as you’ll see, her wisdom.
Watch it and comment; we’ll be drawing a random WINNER from folks who post comments below. The prize? Kate Moses’ gorgeous new memoir-with-recipes, Cakewalk. Winners picked on Thursday, May 27 at noon Pacific time and notified by email. Please be sure to join our list. We’ll mail you your prize.
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Well, Elizabeth, I had planned to just nibble on your interview with Kate Moses and 37 minutes later, I had devoured the whole thing. I loved it. …especially Kate’s comments on her writing process, how her intentions were waylaid by what her book really wanted to be. I was moved by her sharing of Diane Middlebrook’s hospital vision of the glories of a bite of chocolate cake. I even liked the cat. Thanks so much for sharing this. I’ll look forward to more.
Lynne
Thanks, Lynne and Lori, for your thoughtful comments. I loved this interview and left Kate’s house feeling absolutely inspired. That must be a good sign.
I am making for room for more sensual detail in writing academic pieces, which is most of what I write at the moment (besides all the spontaneous bedtime stories). And I felt satiated after listening to this interview with Kate Moses. Hearing the strange story of how the Sylvia Plath story emerged in her work through attention to the zoo noises, beans, apples, bees, and death resonated with me. I often feel that my best work incubates and is sort of unearthed by “ploughing up the subconscious” as she said. Thanks for this gem on her writing process.
What a great interview! I loved the cat’s tail right when Kate starts talking about the sounds in the zoo! Very engrossing and also well done by the interviewer, Elizabeth Stark, and the tech team. Really great music before and at the end. Makes me want to rush out and buy all of Kate’s books!
I found it very interesting and helpful to hear that she saw her life as a story with early moments that linked to later moments. And that she would cut out scenes that didn’t support those linkages. Lovely interview, thanks so much for this!
I sat still, transfixed, for the entire interview, though, like Lynne, I had intended “just to taste a little of it.” Wonderful job, Elizabeth and Angie, loved the quotes you flashed on the screen, and the shots of baking, and the music, but mostly how your questions elicited such wise comments. I loved that Kate’s language is the language of the characters in each book. Well, of course! But to hear it stated that way. And hearing about her process, and that it didn’t come on right away but had to be developed, that was very helpful. I loved the idea of keeping vocabulary lists. Excellent. Thanks!
What a delicious way to return to my writing world. I found Kate’s description of her process akin to my own–how she takes a couple of hours to get to the place she left off and how she leaves herself a “trail of crumbs” to return to her writing space and she often brackets what she is supposed to do next. As she said so simply and honestly, “It takes a while…” I found all this really inspiring because I invariably find myself in this same conundrum and often criticize myself for it. Now I will try to treat this as a “normal” part of my writing process instead. I also loved her idea about writing down everything possible about a topic–every possible detail–and sleeping on it before actually using the material. She calls her process, “plowing up something in your subconscious…”. I’ve heard it called capturing “shimmering images”–of one’s past.
Another key thought for me: she doesn’t do things chronologically; instead relies on the “emotional chronology” where the sensory associations about one’s experiences tie the story together. I can see how that approach frees one from the “tyranny” of being slavish to the sequence of events. Kate referred to viewing the world (the story) as a kaleidoscope–a constantly changing pattern of images. Love this concept! And more…the video was well done. Intimate. Warm. Unlike others, I found the cat’s tail distracting after awhile. Maybe because I wanted to focus on Kate instead! It’s all good, however. Thanks Angie and Elizabeth for this gift.
I love the space! And I love hearing Kate Moses’ insights on how she has carved out not only space, but time for her writing. I also love how overalls were her uniform!!!
My friend has urged me to buy this book–I have been so wanting a copy. I hope in win!!!! 😉
Thank you for making and posting this.
I really liked Kate’s comments about how she discovered the underlying story of “Wintering” through the elements of the bees, the sound of the animals etc. It is a good reminder for me for life in general – how her awareness of what she was really interested in and how she was willing to let go of all the rest, led her to the real story that wanted to be told.
Great questions Elizabeth, wonderful, warm, intimate feeling in the video (uh oh, is that too many adjectives??) and lots of helpful practical info.
Yea!
@Wendy, @Thais, @Leslie, @Marilyn, @Christine, @Katia — Thank you for these wonderful comments. I love what each of you has to say. I love learning myself through your insights. So thanks.
Great interview. Felt like I was sitting there at the table with you and part of the conversation. It was so encouraging to know that the best part is where I am now, in the process. That can’t be replicated and then to view life as a kaleidoscope. That opens up so many avenues.
We all have those distractions such as the cat in our lives. Loved watching how Kate dealt with an animal who wanted attention–now! One can only ignore for so long and they just don’t ever give up. Better to acknowledge and get on with it.
Was thinking I wouldn’t get the book, (like I need more sweets in my life) but Cakewalk seems to be so much more. I’m off to the bookstore.
Thanks Elizabeth
Yes, Bree. I didn’t even go sweets crazy from reading it because it gave back to me in so many other ways–including about becoming a writer. Wonderful stuff. I love your insight about the cat as metaphor–and actual attention-needing creature. Thank you!
I loved this interview. I feel that Kate is really in tune with her inner life,and that this comes out in her writing and the way she speaks about her work. I too was taken with the idea of a book, or story as kaleidoscope, and that this could really help the structure of my own book- to view it less linearly. I want to read both Wintering and Cake walk now, and before I wasn’t sure. I also felt really inspired about her account of how Plath would research everything there was on mushrooms one day, and then the next day sit down and write about them. Seems like a great tool to build detail and richness in our work and to help on the days we feel stuck. I might try that this weekend. Find an element in my novel that could be researched and play with what I find. I found Kate to be refreshingly real and down to earth.
Thank you. This interview feature is a wonderful addition to the course! Inspiring.Great film too.
Thanks, Julie. Yes, didn’t Angie do a wonderful job filming and editing? I agree about trying the exercise–it’s been a helpful tool for me to add to my repertoire. So glad this was inspiring!
Winner will be announced shortly via the BWW mailing list. Be sure to get on it for this and more book- and writing-news and tips. Thanks!
Even though I missed the contest, I finally got around to watching this – very nice job from everyone. I am in awe of writers who know their own process so well and who can articulate that as clearly as Kate does here. I’ve spent a 45 years developing my own horn practicing process, but I’m realizing that writing process is both different and eerily familiar. I like that the “verbs rule” philosophy can be such a powerful tool for vivid writing, and that the taste of writing on one’s tongue can be such a wonderful barometer. (Now that’s a mixed metaphor). Anyway – terrific – looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you for making and posting this.
I really liked Kate’s comments about how she discovered the underlying story of “Wintering” through the elements of the bees, the sound of the animals etc. It is a good reminder for me for life in general – how her awareness of what she was really interested in and how she was willing to let go of all the rest, led her to the real story that wanted to be told.
Great questions Elizabeth, wonderful, warm, intimate feeling in the video (uh oh, is that too many adjectives??) and lots of helpful practical info.
Yea!
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that was so awesome! I love wintering. i’ve re-read that book a few times and am just stunned each time i read it.
i’m in the middle of cakewalk now and savoring each bite!