We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Douglas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.
Hi Katie, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
For me, there is nothing more therapeutic in this world than being creative in some way. Mostly, it’s writing. It’s sitting down in front of a blank computer screen and just letting the words flow. Writing until my screen is riddled with errors, sometimes with words that don’t make any sense. This is when I feel the most free, the most understood. I am an instructor at the University of Arizona and a mother to three very busy and involved kids, so to say that I keep busy is an understatement. Sometimes it’s hard to make time for writing, even though I love it so much. It’s rare now that when I do find time to do it, that I don’t have something to say. But on those times I don’t, I find that not expecting perfection out of my work is the best way to be creative. By just writing, expressing myself without holding my work to any kind of standard, I generally create my best work. This, to me, is the best way to overcome any block in imagination or creativity. When I give myself over to immersing my mind in the act of it and just let it be what it is.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I teach writing at the University of Arizona and currently, I teach all international students. My favorite part of this is the incredible diversity we have in class. My students are really what makes my passion for teaching continue to grow, even after doing it for years.
In addition to my teaching career, I’m also an author. A few years ago, I published a series of books, a lifelong love story based here in Arizona. I’m currently working on getting my next book published and writing another novel (when I can find the time). I recently had an article published in Motherly and work with a creative writing group of other instructors who work in the Writing Program at University of Arizona. Writing is a solitary job, and I love that part of it, but Having this community to support me has been such an unexpected gift. It’s a reminder of how important connections are and how even a solitary act like writing can benefit from the support of others.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are a work ethic, creativity, and adaptability. Honestly, I learned a lot of these skills in college while I was bartending and going to school at the same time, but when I started teaching, they took on new meaning. Most of all, I think my ability to adapt to any situation, to feel confident in myself regardless of the circumstances, is the most beneficial. Part of that is just aging and feeling confident that if there’s something that I haven’t done before, chances are, I can figure it out no matter what.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
One of the most impactful books I’ve ever read is On Writing by Stephen King. This book really changed the way I approach writing. It made me realize to be a writer, all you really have to do is write and read and do so regularly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katiejdouglas.com
- Instagram: @Katie.j.douglas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katiejdouglasauthor
- Twitter: @katiejdouglasaz
Image Credits
Ashely Elicio Photography
Chelsea Barton took the first photo on there
