Q+A with Kathryn H. Ross: Creative Mornings BOS + LA July 26, 2020
June’s global theme was INSECURE and we were super excited to hold a joint virtual event of Boston and LA chapters!
Our guest was the author Kathryn H. Ross, who did a live and heartfelt reading of a chapter from her book, Black Was Not A Label. This essay, titled Erasure, is a powerful piece portraying her 25 year old self in a loving and raw confrontation with her 17 year old self. After the reading we’d opened it up for a moderated Q+A with Kathryn about her work and here are her answers.
Kathryn H. Ross adores cats, warm baths, and of course, reading. Her debut book, Black Was Not A Label (2019), is a hybrid memoir of essays and poetry that was recently published with indie press PRONTO. She holds a BA and MA in English and Writing and is a columnist for Pasadena Now, where she writes about race and culture. Her creative works range from sentimental speculative shorts and poetry to lamentation essays about living as a young black woman in America.
Read her at speakthewritelanguage.com.
Q: On the theme of insecurity, the book seems like a very vulnerable topic. Did you have any hesitation/insecurity? What got you through that? (Phil Chun, LA)
I did have some hesitation and insecurity when writing Black Was Not A Label because it is such a personal work. Most of the pieces were written and published individually before they were placed into this collection, and before the manuscript was finished I went through a long editing process. During edits, it was really impressed upon me just how personal each piece was, especially when read back-to-back . What got me through the insecurity of vulnerability was being told by friends, my editor, and my publisher that what I had to say was important that my experiences could help others process their own trauma.
Q: Kathryn- Can you share what your creative process is like for your writing? (Anon)
Being patient with myself is the bulk of my creative process. I have to let things develop and marinate for a while before I’m ready to write them down, and allowing myself to go through the slow process is the best way I can nurture my writing. I wish I was someone who got up at 7 AM every day and wrote 1,000 words, but that’s just not me. I can’t force creativity, and accepting that has helped my proces and my writing immensely.
Q: Wisdom even in your younger self has grown and evolved. I would imagine that you continue to grow? Thank you for sharing such a deep and intimate experience. (Kaleb, BOS)
Of course! So long as we’re living and learning, we’re growing. :)
Q: Did you say anime? What anime do you recommend? (Anon)
I did say anime! My favorite anime is Yu Yu Hakusho, so that’s always my first and most enthusiastic recommendation. It’s so great and can be a nice intro for those who’ve never watched anime before !
Q: Such tender and beautiful writing! As a creative person living through these wild and insecure times, what helps you feel secure and connected? (Ki, Altadena)
Thank you! A few things make me feel secure and connected: my faith and relationship with Christ, my friends & family, and the decision to let myself rest. Sometimes that looks like watching a favorite show. Other times it’s talking to a close friend I feel at home with. Still other times it’s being in prayer and allowing myself to speak with God on a personal/intimate level.
Q: It is said what you resist is what you need to grow. Is there an instance where you resisted thinking or writing about something and how was that experience? (Kreety, BOS)
There have been many times when I’m afraid to write something, and so I put it off. Usually in those moments whatever it is I need to write or want to write fees too big and overwhelming. Either it’s a large task, something I need to continue processing, or something I feel like I just can’t execute. Fortunately, every time I’ve decided to stop resisting and just write, the writing is a lot less painful than I was expecting. In most instances, it’s actually pretty painless and positive.
