My guest this week is Kerry Malawista, a psychoanalyst and writer who uses writing to heal. She’s the co-director of the New Directions in Writing project, which offers programs in writing from a psychological perspective. Her publication credits include the Washington Post, New York Times, and Delmarva Review, which nominated her for a Pushcart Prize. Her first novel, Meet the Moon, focuses on a young teen after the loss of her mother. Kerry talks with me about how she came to writing later in life, creating a writing program—The Things They Carry Project—to help healthcare workers cope with the pandemic, how she turned her own story of loss into a novel, how we perceive memory and truth, and more.
Episode breakdown:
00:00 Parents' encouragement led to unexpected creativity.
04:40 First published piece inspired by Costa Rica trip.
09:33 Overcame challenges, found success, inspired others.
12:09 Email testimonials show positive impact on frontline workers.
15:57 Led groups for teachers, immigrants, college-bound youth.
20:32 Reading shapes perception and understanding of truth.
22:59 Realization of an impossible event from memory.
24:34 Using writing to process powerful personal experiences.
30:25 Struggling writer finds inspiration to use imagination.
32:17 Fiction captures therapist's view on loss and resilience.
34:58 Conveying ideas in a novel can be challenging.
38:48 Memoir vs novel: finding the right structure.
43:39 Humorous movie turns into husband's choking ordeal.
47:07 Effective writing balances trauma with humor.
50:29 Use all 5 senses to describe experiences.
Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.
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Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.
Uncovering Forgotten Histories with Rahna Reiko Rizzuto
CPT #65: Mr. Twinkletoes
Replay: ”Impro” with Nina Hart
CPT #64: Stop Making It So Hard
Empowering Authors with Michael Dolan
CPT #63: Slow Down
Music and Mental Illness with Caroline Whiddon
CPT #62: Follow Your Energy
The Femme Fatale Hypothesis with David Roth
CPT #61: Unless...
The Wisdom of Morrie with Rob Schwartz
CPT #60: It’s Okay to Quit
Wired for Story with Lucinda Sage-Midgorden
Creative Pep Talk #59: ”Should”
”Is There Life Outside the Box?” with Peter Davison
Creative Pep Talk #58: Do Nothing
Drama and Storytelling with Elizabeth Morton
Creative Pep Talk #57: Being Like Everyone Else
”Limiting” Creativity with Nick Morrison
Creative Pep Talk #56: Kick It Old School
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