Gabfest Reads | How to Turn the Creative Process Into “Good Trouble”

Slate Culture

Slate Podcasts

Arts, Tv & Film, Music

4.4 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 19 April 2025

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

John Dickerson talks with author Maggie Smith about her new book, Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life. They talk about the essential elements of all creative projects, when you know a project is “done”, how to stay “porous” in the world, and more. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at [email protected]. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:51.1	Welcome to GabFest Reeds for the month of April.
0:57.1	I'm John Dickerson, one of the hosts of Slate Political GabFest.
1:03.4	My guest today is Maggie Smith, the author of Dear Writer, Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life.
1:14.4	Maggie draws on her 20 years of teaching as well as her life as a poet and author to break down creativity into 10 essential elements, which are to my mind the 10 essential elements of life, wonder, vision, play, surprise,
1:20.6	vulnerability, restlessness, tenacity, connection, and hope. We talk about Maggie's creative process,
1:26.7	the importance of staying porous, and a great deal more.
1:31.3	So here's our conversation. I hope you enjoy. So Maggie, I've been a longtime fan of both your work
	...

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