SWRT 285 | Self Discovery Through Writing

November 23, 2023

person typing on MacBook Pro on brown wooden table during daytime photo

This week, Alida and Kathryn solve the world’s problems with one simple, three-part edict.

We’re kidding, but we’re kind of not. Writing and reading are all about building empathetic connections with people who are nothing like ourselves. As such, writers are gifted with a truly great responsibility.

Share this episode and a book with the people you love.

If you’re in the States, Happy Thanksgiving! Wherever you are, I am grateful for every single person who takes the time to listen to one another.

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Get Alida’s musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com

Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Do you have a project in need of a ghost writer? I’d love to hear from you! www.wordessential.com.

VIDEO

AUDIO

SHOW NOTES

What we talked about:

Why we’re talking about self-discovery. (1:10)

Have we experienced self-discovery as we’re writing? (2:30)

Why do we explore questions in our writing? (5:45)

We are not our character… right? (8:26)

Speaking into other’s lives. (11:25)

The magic of story. (13:30)

The role of the writer. (15:45)

The importance of reading and writing. (17:00)

Read more, think more and talk more! (24:10)

FOR NEXT MONTH:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

LINKS

Get Alida’s Writing Tips here.

Things we mentioned:

Beatrix Potter
AA Milne
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.

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About Your Hosts

Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Two of her short stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She is the author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series. Alida lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Golden Retriever, Seva the Wonder Dog. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.

Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.

Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com