Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Kasaba. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Karen, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I remember as a kid, coming out of a matinee after seeing a really good film, and walking from the darkened theater out into bright daylight, filled with a sense of possibility. So energized by the multi-sensory experience of film. I grew up in the 70s, an iconic era for filmmaking. My parents didn’t pay close attention to the ratings, so I got to see a lot of films!
That feeling of being immersed in another world captivated me, and I pursued it through my own filmmaking – from making movies in the backyard with my dad’s Super 8 camera to going to film school to working in film – and my writing. I wanted to create that sense of immersion in my work. Through writing workshops and coaching, I want to show others how to capture that feeling in their own work, to create vivid, complex and compelling worlds on the page.
Purpose is always evolving, but for me it comes back to that feeling of possibility. What is it that sparks that sensation, of wonder, hope, and curiosity?
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m an Emmy-nominated screenwriter, award-winning playwright, filmmaker and fiction writer. My writing has appeared in American Cinematographer, Hawai’i Review, Westways, Los Angeles Times, Red Wheelbarrow, Chariton Review, Gulf Coast and Santa Barbara Magazine, among others, and has won numerous literary awards, including a Pushcart Prize nomination.
A member of WGAw and SAG•AFTRA, my writing approach and philosophy are influenced by my study of dreamwork, Hawaiian shamanism, filmmaking, acting, and improv training with The Groundlings.
I’m based in West Hollywood, CA, where the air is charged with artistic, expressive energy. I’m devoted to exploring innovative ways to spark insight and inspire authentic, intuitive expression to help you elevate your relationship with your writing.
I love the writing community I’m building on Substack at Guided Writing Journeys. Along with essays where I share insights and observations about craft, I offer free experiential writing workshops, as well as digital courses, and bonuses for paid members. This new world of Substack activates my sense of possibility!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Curiosity – I need to get out and be inspired, at museums, screenings, out in nature. Even just taking a walk and being on the lookout for something odd or interesting can reactivate curiosity, and that leads to new ideas.
Devotion – When I felt that sense of possibility, wonder and excitement walking out of the darkened movie theater, I couldn’t fully share that with anyone – especially my parents. So I captured that feeling for myself, and used it to fuel myself when working alone – which is a lot of the time. I do have support for my work now, but devotion is what keeps me going when I’m on my own.
Wonder – This can be as simple as sitting outside and seeing a lizard doing push-ups, or noticing the way the light looks. Wonder is a big inspiration, it’s that sense of possibility, of being reminded that everything is alive. And that’s how I want my work to feel for the reader, like it’s alive.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Someone told me that good collaborations are like peanut butter and jelly, two things that are different but go together really well. I’ve collaborated with a sound bath practitioner for my writing workshops. It really enhances the experience when we each bring our offering to the group. So I’d love to partner with practitioners who would like to add an aspect of intuitive writing or journaling to their offering, such as meditation guides, artists, musicians, magicians, intuitives. I’d love to chat about possibilities! You can reach me at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karenkasaba.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guidedwritingjourneys/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenkasaba/
- Other: Substack: https://guidedwriting.substack.com/
Image Credits
Bryan Dechart
Karen Kasaba
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