354: So, You Want to Be a Writer

Guest

Deborah Sosin, MSW, is a writer, editor, psychotherapist, and an instructor at GrubStreet, the Center for Creative Writing. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Salon, Cognoscenti, Brevity Blog, and several literary magazines. She wrote the award-winning picture book Charlotte and the Quiet Place; and a workbook, Sober Starting Today. Debbie just completed This Is 70, a linked set of 70 micro-memoirs of 70 words each, written to mark her 70th birthday. She lives outside of Boston.

Summary

This episode explores Deborah’s journey of writing, creativity, and self-expression. She discusses her path to becoming a writer, the role of curiosity in storytelling, and the value of writing as both a personal and professional endeavor. She shares insights on diary writing, publishing challenges, and the significance of mindfulness in the creative process. Additionally, she reflects on her experiences with Substack, micro memoirs, and her children's book Charlotte and the Quiet Place, emphasizing how writing can be a tool for connection and personal growth.

Three Takeaways

The Power of Writing as Self-Discovery – Writing, whether through diaries, memoirs, or creative storytelling, serves as a means of exploring identity, emotions, and personal history.

Mindfulness and Creativity – Mindfulness plays a critical role in writing by helping authors stay present and engage deeply with their thoughts, which can enhance storytelling.

Overcoming Writing Resistance – Writers often struggle with self-doubt and perfectionism, but embracing the messiness of early drafts and writing without rigid expectations can unlock creativity.

Social Media

www.deborahsosin.com

@deborahsosin.bsky.social

https://deborahs27.substack.com/

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About Jeff

Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.

Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.

Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.