Member Spotlight: Kathleen Marple Kalb

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world?
Words are what make us human. And whether we’re exploring the mysteries of life and death, or just trying to tell a fun story, writing is the skill and the gift that enables us to share our experiences…and maybe help some other humans along the way.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block?
Think like a news writer. I’m a radio news anchor in my day job, and whether I’m feeling it or not, that half-hour newscast must be written by showtime. So you just sit down and write the thing. Sometimes, if I’m stuck in my fiction, I plow through the same way. Sit down and write it. Of course there’ll be plenty of revising (the most important part of the art!) but there’s something on the page.

What is your favorite time to write?
Early in the morning, when the rest of the family is still asleep. I love to get up and go over the pages from the previous day–that’s when I do my best revisions! (I never actually have a conventional first draft because I’m always touching up as I go.)

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers?
Don’t give up, and don’t ever give anyone a reason to weed you out. Realize that publishing is a different world, and learn–and follow–the rules, understanding that yes, no matter how brilliant you are, they do apply to you. It’s not petty. It’s showing respect for the people you hope will be your colleagues. Polite, grateful and graceful never hurt anyone.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age?
Everything! I’m a debut author! Seriously, though, I’m encouraged by the way many people have returned to reading as a way to cope with isolation. And I’m inspired by the way people are pulling together, with love and caring for their communities and each other…I hope I can capture some of that warmth in my future work.

Kathleen Marple Kalb’s A Fatal Finale is out now with Kensington Books.