Update: Though the window for listening to all the interviews has closed, here's a link to my interview, about "The Writing Life," which focused primarily on creating a workable, satisfying writing life amid conflicting demands and time constraints.
Original Post:
As writers, we love getting information via the printed word. But there's something wonderful about not reading and instead listening, just listening, to other writers and creative professionals talk about their work. That's why I tune in to radio discussions about books and writing, bookmark podcasts, and click those "hear from the author" buttons.
Original Post:
As writers, we love getting information via the printed word. But there's something wonderful about not reading and instead listening, just listening, to other writers and creative professionals talk about their work. That's why I tune in to radio discussions about books and writing, bookmark podcasts, and click those "hear from the author" buttons.
Roberts
recorded the 30-minute conversations, then set up a schedule which,
over four days (Jan. 21 – 24 – yes, we're in the middle of it right now!),
delivers a thoughtful mix of people, specialties, genres, professions, and
entry points. Her core question is about creativity and the creative life. Each
day, five or so conversations go live at different times (mine is scheduled for
Friday, Jan. 23 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time) – and then all will remain available,
at no cost, through Saturday, January 31.
Some of the pros whose interviews I enjoyed
listening to already (and can now be heard
in any order you like) include Marion Roach Smith on memoir and writing with
intention; agent Liza Dawson on nurturing a long writing career; and Beverly
Belling on aligning with your creative intuition.
Today's
line-up includes talks on storytelling, overcoming writing resistance, graphic
novels, and gaining clarity before writing. On Friday, besides my conversation, titled "The Writer's Life,"
you can hear from others about creative branding, self-publishing, the power of
fairy tales, and time management. Saturday brings talks on writing community,
crowdfunding for creatives, and lots more.
I
chatted with Julia yesterday about her experience organizing and presenting
Storytellers Summit:
LR:
After talking with all the experts, what did you notice about their creative
impulses and creativity practices? What sets them apart?
JR:
What sets them apart is that they are very clear about their creative choices.
Not only have they made craft choices – various degrees, jobs etc – but they
have made life choices to promote their work to others. Many of them also know
that if you want a life of creating/writing, you have to do that. No one will
do it for you.
LR:
How did you decide whom to feature in the Summit?
JR:
I set up my learning tracks – Tell a Story, Sell a Story, The Story in Your Head, Picture Story, and HerStory - just to suit my own interests. Then I
reached out to over 100 experts; some said yes (yay). I pre-interviewed
everyone to make sure they had energy and ideas to contribute.
LR:
What are a few things you learned yourself?
JR:
I learned so much. Debbie Reber’s pre-writing process will influence me. David Doodleslice
Cohen's and Veta Bates' talks on branding got me thinking. My talk with agent
Liza Dawson changed my perspective on how “they” think about “us.” I loved
talking with Scott McCloud about his creative work over a lifetime and his
upcoming book, The Sculptor. And to be honest, I loved the simplicity of your
point of view: if you’re going to write, you're going to NOT do something else.
Like yoga. Everyone taught me something.
LR:
As a creativity coach, do you find
there's a difference in the way people take in and process information via audio
interviews than via the printed word? What
can we get from listening?
JR:
I like audio, because it’s spontaneous and has energy and humor. You can write
with those same qualities, but you can hardly have a live conversation without
them. Strange things sometimes happen.
LR:
Most people won't be able to listen to all of the conversations they want to at
the time they first air. How and when can they access the interviews later on?
JR:
The interviews go live at 10:00 a.m. on their day of the schedule. If you
listen live, then there’s tweeting from me @heyJuliaRoberts and Facebook discussions
immediately following facebook.com/decodingcreativity. Also the conversations
will remain active until January 31.
Check
out the Storytellers Summit website for the full schedule and roster of
interviewees; and follow #StorySumit on Twitter. If you happen to listen to my conversation with Julia, I'd
love to hear your thoughts.
Image (Listen) - Flickr/Creative Commons, Striatic.
2 comments:
Thank you for sharing this.
I am excited that we can listen at times that may be more convenient to each of us. altho I wish I could sit and enjoy these conversations all day long.
Thanks, LJ. I hope you get to hear some!
As for me, we're expecting a lot of snow over the weekend, so I'll grab my ear buds, a hot chocolate, make a fire, and listen to my colleagues!
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