In Defense of Daydreaming: An Interview with Silas House

What Dreamers Do

Join host Carla Gover and Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House as they discuss the creative life. The episode explores the fears and resistance writers face, the importance of honesty in storytelling, and the impact of cultural and religious conditioning on self-expression. Silas shares his journey, experiences, and thoughts on creativity, including his thoughts on representing marginalized groups, collaborating with other artists, and much more. This candid discussion is filled with wisdom, humility, and encouragement for all aspiring artists.

Key Points Discussed:
Fear and Resistance in Writing:

1. The challenges of writer's block and distractions like social media.
2. Importance of honesty and writing stories or poems you want to read.
3. Fear as an engine that drives the creative process.

Cultural and Religious Conditioning:

1. Expressing oneself fully despite cultural and religious backgrounds.
2. Working on a novel addressing strict cultural backgrounds, faith, and desire.

Representation and Responsibility:

1. Importance of representing marginalized groups like gay Kentuckians.
2. Impact of Silas's work on young queer individuals.
3. Being conscientious and authentic on social media.

Impostor Syndrome and Humility:

1. Challenges of feeling inadequate in elite literary settings.
2. Maintaining a down-to-earth attitude despite high-profile connections.
3. Personal validation from readers vs. professional awards.

Balancing Tasks and Self-Care:

1. Juggling various activities using checklists and prioritizing tasks.
2. Importance of self-care and knowing personal limits.
3. Psychological approach to to-do lists and rewarding oneself.

Thoughts on Creativity and Art:

1. Creativity as a constant state of being.
2. Daydreaming as an essential part of the creative process.
3. The complexity and multidimensionality of personal identity.

Projects and Future Works:

1. Upcoming picture book "That Dog Won't Hunt."
2. New novel set in the early 1900s focusing on environmental issues.

Connect with Silas
Website
Instagram
Facebook

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