I’ve chosen this happy yellow photograph of wildflowers taken on a trip to Economy, Nova Scotia to express my delight in sharing my first-ever podcast interview! Blogging friend Rebecca Budd invited me to have a conversation with her about what is most dear to my heart after my family: writing.
Rebecca and I had a wonderful conversation, and I do hope you will head over to Tea Toast & Trivia to have a listen and add your thoughts to the comments.
While you’re there, please take a look around at what else the site has offer in the way of engaging conversation. I’m sure you will find much there to pique your interest.
So, put the kettle on and click on the happy yellow flowers to be taken to Tea Toast & Trivia!
108 thoughts on “Another First: Interview on Tea Toast & Trivia!”
My comment on Rebecca’s site:
Fabulous conversation, Rebecca and Liz — with the bonus of you, Liz, reciting your evocative lighthouse/whittling poem near the end!
I was impressed with all the eloquent thoughts and advice on writing — how the Internet has changed who is considered a writer, how writing success is defined, respecting a writer’s approach rather than trying to change it, how different people interpret the same writing differently, the importance of a blogging community, etc.!
I completely agree, Dave. What I found refreshing was her candor about the lack of encouragement of genuine creativity in some academic environments. Classroom workshops shouldn’t be a stifling experience! I hope she returns for more podcasts!
Thank you, Mary Jo! I think a more useful approach is, rather than ask students with no experience to act as developmental editors, to ask them to respond as beta readers, then move the discussion to the writer’s intent for the story or poem and where there might be gaps.
Thanks, Mary Jo. It’s been working well with general education students–although the younger students have had to unlearn the five-paragraph essay. *shudder*
Thank you so much for listening and for your kind words, Dave. These thoughts have developed over many, many years–and are still developing, I’m happy to say!
Dave, Liz & Mary Jo: Your approach to writing and poetry has given me the courage to embrace my personal creativity. You have confirmed that, within community, individual effort reaches full potential. Thank you for your support and encouragement of these vital conversations. I have learned so much from our discussions. Looking forward to the conversations waiting for our arrival.
And to think that so many new avenues of creativity, exploration, experimentation–and play!–have opened up for us at our stage in life is really quite remarkable.
I enjoyed the talk Liz, although my comment appeared in random places… I was replying to your words as stated. I took my BA in Writing to celebrate my 50th birthday, here in Perth, Western Australia and although I had been a writer all my life, my curiosity wallowed in happiness surrounded by so much support and encouragement.
I am so glad to hear that you had a good experience pursuing your BA in Writing! My workshop experiences (undergrad and grad) weren’t bad. In retrospect, they just weren’t as helpful as they could have been.
I think it was down to the fact I had lived and experienced so much more than the target audience (younger students) and could therefore interpolate from an already informed understanding.
P.S. Mr Fish had it all wrong – the ideas and original thoughts come from the writer then interpolated by the reader and often regurgitated as their own. Always interesting to see and read.
Yeah, those graduate literature classes were a surreal experience. It was as if the creation of the literature were incidental because the “artifact” only served to support one or theory or another.
Very interesting.At the end of the day , only a writer can truly define him or herself. Once anyone take up the urge to write , such a one is a writer even if others disagree .
Liz – thank you for your commitment to writing, poetry, the creative process and, most importantly, your support of the writing community. You cheer us on and challenge us to take the next step, even next leap (YIKES!!!). What an adventure we are on…..
Thank you for listening, Ron! I appreciate it. Phil was odd man out in that program, which was a shame. I hope he continued writing and found his audience.
Hi, Liz. Just listened to the interview and discussion on Tea Toast and Trivia. Loved every moment of it. Great to hear your voice ; especially the reading of your poem. Have a great day.
Liz…A) such a pleasure listening to you
B) Wonderful advice on creativity
C) )I so agree on your point about community and the need to find your strength there
D) My apologies for the delay in picking up your book. Very soon now!
Thank you for listening, Sonia! I’ve see from your blog that you have embraced the idea of building community and been very successful in a short period of time. I do hope you’ll pick up Telling Sonny!
Liz, it was wonderful to get to know you even better through your physical voice. Delightful interview, lovely poem. The more I learn of your writing perspectives and experience, the more I am in awe. And every new thing you try turns out wonderfully well. You’re a true role model for other writers and bloggers. Thank you.
Hi, Ranee. It’s good to see you! Thank you for listening and for you kind words. How is your writing coming? I remember a novel draft a year of two back from NaNoWriMo?
Thanks for asking, Liz. I’ve been copyediting too much to have time, energy, creativity, or (most important) desire to write more than an essay or a blog post every few weeks (or months). My 2018 NaNoWriMo draft gathers dust, and I’m at a writing crossroads. We’ll see what direction I take—or whether I leave the path altogether.
I’m sure you will make the right decision for yourself, Ranee. Speaking of copyediting, this morning, I received notification of a style guide for inclusive language, The Conscious Style Guide: https://consciousstyleguide.com/about/ Are you familiar with it? I’m thinking of including it in the editing module of the writing process course I’m working on.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. Whatever decision I make, I’m the one who will have to live with it! And yes, for a few years I’ve been very aware of The Conscious Style Guide and have been on its email list. This past Tuesday, I sat in on an hour-long Zoom chat with its creator, Karen Yin. She’s quite well known in copyediting circles. I’m glad you found the style guide, and I highly recommend your including it in your editing module.
Yes, I read it there also, Liz, and I wondered if that’s where you’d received the information. I’m glad Jane is spreading it far and wide, with her many readers.
It’s great to hear, Liz. After blogging and wrote poetry for many years, I collected two years’ worth and published my poetry book. I haven’t done too many new poems in two years since my first granddaughter was born. I don’t seem to have enough time to do things and my mind is not relaxed enough to write poetry. But I’m working on other genres.
It’s good you could write poetry that way, Liz. Whatever works for our minds is great. In fact, my mind is not working in any consistent way. I think I wrote more poems before my husband retired. I was retired five years before he. I was home by myself during the day without human distraction. Right now, with him home all the time, he seems to needing to talk to me every now and then and interrupt my train of thoughts.
I’m trying different ways to write, such as sitting in my garden writing longhand, then transfer to the computer. I wrote a little bit more doing it that way.
That’s a good idea to try different ways to write if our customary way isn’t working. Now that you mention it, the tanka I’ve been writing I write in longhand and don’t transfer to the computer until they’re finished.
I took part in a blogger’s challenge and wrote many tanka and haiku poems. I usually write them in my head and count the syllables first then do it on computer.
Liz, wonderful interview. And I LOVED your poem this morning at North of Oxford! I got the email and saw your name and thought OH FABULOUS and then so enjoyed reading it! Right up my alley! By the way, I finally got Telling Sonny loaded on my kindle so now it’s in the queue!
Thank you for listening to the interview, Luanne! It was a lot of fun to chat with Rebecca. I’m glad you enjoyed “At Summer’s End.” I was thrilled when North of Oxford accepted it. I’m in very good company there, yourself included! I hope you enjoy Telling Sonny. Thank you for your support!
Thanks, Cecelia! My grandmother grew up on a farm on Economy Point, so the trips I’ve made to Nova Scotia have been extra special. It’s such beautiful country (At least in the height of summer!)
Just got there… Can you believe it? I went last night but immediately had to leave it ‘cause dinner was ready. Went back to it after dinner, but was immediately reminded by my beloved that we were going to watch something together… So, ended up being today…lol. Oh, left a comment there. 🙂🙃😀
Fabulous interview Liz. I completely agree about the contribution of the blogging community to the world of writing and writers. It was lovely to hear the voice behind the words, especially the reading of that wonderful poem of yours.
I loved your interview, Liz, and it was so lovely to hear your voice. It is as friendly as your comments/writing. Your comments on blurring fact and fiction made me smile. Family events do take on their own drama, don’t you think? I’ll second the comment about how very encouraging you are. Thank you for being you.
Listened to your uplifting interview today! Especially appreciated your reflection on being an encourager for other writers. That has definitely become part of my calling as a blogger. I love being a positive voice for others, and felt delightfully validated when you affirmed the importance of doing so. Thank you, Liz!
I just listened to this interview. It was nice to hear your voice, especially reading your poem at the end. I also appreciate your insights into writing.
Elizabeth Gauffreau 
My comment on Rebecca’s site:
Fabulous conversation, Rebecca and Liz — with the bonus of you, Liz, reciting your evocative lighthouse/whittling poem near the end!
I was impressed with all the eloquent thoughts and advice on writing — how the Internet has changed who is considered a writer, how writing success is defined, respecting a writer’s approach rather than trying to change it, how different people interpret the same writing differently, the importance of a blogging community, etc.!
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I completely agree, Dave. What I found refreshing was her candor about the lack of encouragement of genuine creativity in some academic environments. Classroom workshops shouldn’t be a stifling experience! I hope she returns for more podcasts!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Mary Jo! I think a more useful approach is, rather than ask students with no experience to act as developmental editors, to ask them to respond as beta readers, then move the discussion to the writer’s intent for the story or poem and where there might be gaps.
LikeLiked by 4 people
That’s an excellent approach.
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Thanks, Mary Jo. It’s been working well with general education students–although the younger students have had to unlearn the five-paragraph essay. *shudder*
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much for listening and for your kind words, Dave. These thoughts have developed over many, many years–and are still developing, I’m happy to say!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dave, Liz & Mary Jo: Your approach to writing and poetry has given me the courage to embrace my personal creativity. You have confirmed that, within community, individual effort reaches full potential. Thank you for your support and encouragement of these vital conversations. I have learned so much from our discussions. Looking forward to the conversations waiting for our arrival.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And to think that so many new avenues of creativity, exploration, experimentation–and play!–have opened up for us at our stage in life is really quite remarkable.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I enjoyed the talk Liz, although my comment appeared in random places… I was replying to your words as stated. I took my BA in Writing to celebrate my 50th birthday, here in Perth, Western Australia and although I had been a writer all my life, my curiosity wallowed in happiness surrounded by so much support and encouragement.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I am so glad to hear that you had a good experience pursuing your BA in Writing! My workshop experiences (undergrad and grad) weren’t bad. In retrospect, they just weren’t as helpful as they could have been.
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I think it was down to the fact I had lived and experienced so much more than the target audience (younger students) and could therefore interpolate from an already informed understanding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
P.S. Mr Fish had it all wrong – the ideas and original thoughts come from the writer then interpolated by the reader and often regurgitated as their own. Always interesting to see and read.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, those graduate literature classes were a surreal experience. It was as if the creation of the literature were incidental because the “artifact” only served to support one or theory or another.
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Congrats! I plan to listen! You should put a link to the podcast on your site.
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Thanks, Shayne! I’ll add the link.
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Wow! I am so happy for you!
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Thank you, Val!!
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Awesome interview, Liz!
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Thank you for stopping by and listening, Bette! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview.
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Very interesting.At the end of the day , only a writer can truly define him or herself. Once anyone take up the urge to write , such a one is a writer even if others disagree .
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Thank you! I couldn’t have said it better myself. 😉
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A great pod cast, Liz. Lovely to hear your voice and enthusiasm. I left you a comment on the originating post.
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Thank you, Robbie! I’ve responded to your comment on Tea Toast & Trivia.
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A great, I’ll go over and check it out. I did follow this blog. It looks great.
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I’m glad to hear it! Rebecca has a very interesting mix of guests and topics.
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Liz – thank you for your commitment to writing, poetry, the creative process and, most importantly, your support of the writing community. You cheer us on and challenge us to take the next step, even next leap (YIKES!!!). What an adventure we are on…..
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You’re most welcome, Rebecca! I love the concept of the leap of faith.
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I always love to hear a bloggers voice. Wonderful interview, Liz!
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Thank you for listening and letting me know that you enjoyed it! Much appreciated, Jill!!
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That was so good, Liz. It was lovely to hear your voice and learn more about you as a writer and your processes. I love the poem.
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Thank you for listening, Mary, and for leaving a comment on Rebecca’s blog. I’ve responded to it.
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I really enjoyed listening to you, Liz, and left a comment on Rebecca’s site
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Thank you for listening, Derrick, and commenting on Rebecca’s site. I’ve responded to it.
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Congratulations, Liz. It was nice hearing your voice. Thank you for sticking up for your classmate and validating his writing!
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Thank you for listening, Ron! I appreciate it. Phil was odd man out in that program, which was a shame. I hope he continued writing and found his audience.
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Hi, Liz. Just listened to the interview and discussion on Tea Toast and Trivia. Loved every moment of it. Great to hear your voice ; especially the reading of your poem. Have a great day.
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Thank you for listening to the conversation and letting me know you enjoyed it. I really appreciate it.
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Pleasure. Happy Friday.
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Very nice! Loved the poem at the end. 🙂
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Thank you, Nora! I appreciate your listening, and I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
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Liz…A) such a pleasure listening to you
B) Wonderful advice on creativity
C) )I so agree on your point about community and the need to find your strength there
D) My apologies for the delay in picking up your book. Very soon now!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for listening, Sonia! I’ve see from your blog that you have embraced the idea of building community and been very successful in a short period of time. I do hope you’ll pick up Telling Sonny!
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Pleasure is mine Liz!💐💐
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I left a comment on the other site…great interview!!!! Loved your poem! 🙂
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Thank you, Linda! I responded to your comment on Tea Toast & Trivia.
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Liz, it was wonderful to get to know you even better through your physical voice. Delightful interview, lovely poem. The more I learn of your writing perspectives and experience, the more I am in awe. And every new thing you try turns out wonderfully well. You’re a true role model for other writers and bloggers. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi, Ranee. It’s good to see you! Thank you for listening and for you kind words. How is your writing coming? I remember a novel draft a year of two back from NaNoWriMo?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for asking, Liz. I’ve been copyediting too much to have time, energy, creativity, or (most important) desire to write more than an essay or a blog post every few weeks (or months). My 2018 NaNoWriMo draft gathers dust, and I’m at a writing crossroads. We’ll see what direction I take—or whether I leave the path altogether.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you will make the right decision for yourself, Ranee. Speaking of copyediting, this morning, I received notification of a style guide for inclusive language, The Conscious Style Guide: https://consciousstyleguide.com/about/ Are you familiar with it? I’m thinking of including it in the editing module of the writing process course I’m working on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the vote of confidence. Whatever decision I make, I’m the one who will have to live with it! And yes, for a few years I’ve been very aware of The Conscious Style Guide and have been on its email list. This past Tuesday, I sat in on an hour-long Zoom chat with its creator, Karen Yin. She’s quite well known in copyediting circles. I’m glad you found the style guide, and I highly recommend your including it in your editing module.
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Oh, for heaven’s sake! I am so glad to get your endorsement of it. The notification was in a newsletter from Jane Friedman.
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Yes, I read it there also, Liz, and I wondered if that’s where you’d received the information. I’m glad Jane is spreading it far and wide, with her many readers.
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Jane is an invaluable resources for writers, for sure.
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Probably just my bad internet connection, but I wasn’t able to hook up with the interview. Sounds fabulous, though!
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Thank you for your comment, Eileen. The Internet can be a rather fickle fellow.
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That was excellent, Liz. ❤ I left a longer comment at Rebecca's. A great first!
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Thank you very much, Diana! I responded to your comment on Rebecca’s blog.
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It was great to hear your voice talking about writing, Liz! ❤ So glad to hear you reading the poem Lighthouse!
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Thank you for stopping by and listening, Miriam! I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
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Do you have a poetry book, Liz?
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No, I don’t, but I’m working on one.
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It’s great to hear, Liz. After blogging and wrote poetry for many years, I collected two years’ worth and published my poetry book. I haven’t done too many new poems in two years since my first granddaughter was born. I don’t seem to have enough time to do things and my mind is not relaxed enough to write poetry. But I’m working on other genres.
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I seem to be experiencing the opposite. My mind is not relaxed enough to sustain a narrative, but I can write poetry.
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It’s good you could write poetry that way, Liz. Whatever works for our minds is great. In fact, my mind is not working in any consistent way. I think I wrote more poems before my husband retired. I was retired five years before he. I was home by myself during the day without human distraction. Right now, with him home all the time, he seems to needing to talk to me every now and then and interrupt my train of thoughts.
I’m trying different ways to write, such as sitting in my garden writing longhand, then transfer to the computer. I wrote a little bit more doing it that way.
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That’s a good idea to try different ways to write if our customary way isn’t working. Now that you mention it, the tanka I’ve been writing I write in longhand and don’t transfer to the computer until they’re finished.
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I took part in a blogger’s challenge and wrote many tanka and haiku poems. I usually write them in my head and count the syllables first then do it on computer.
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Are you like me and count the syllables on your fingers? 😉
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I do all kinds of ways, I nod my head or count fingers. When in doubt, I use this link
https://syllablecounter.net/
Some words are tricky, not so straight forward. 🙂
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Did you join another blogger to write tanka and I commented it was like singing a duet? 🙂
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Yes, I did. Goff James and I did collaborative haiku.
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I remember the two that I read. They were great collaboration!
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Thank you, Miriam!
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You’re welcome, Liz!
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So lovely to hear your voice, Liz and your wisdom. ❤
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Thank you for stopping by, Jane! I appreciate your listening to the conversation.
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❤
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Bravo.
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Thank you!
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Liz, wonderful interview. And I LOVED your poem this morning at North of Oxford! I got the email and saw your name and thought OH FABULOUS and then so enjoyed reading it! Right up my alley! By the way, I finally got Telling Sonny loaded on my kindle so now it’s in the queue!
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Thank you for listening to the interview, Luanne! It was a lot of fun to chat with Rebecca. I’m glad you enjoyed “At Summer’s End.” I was thrilled when North of Oxford accepted it. I’m in very good company there, yourself included! I hope you enjoy Telling Sonny. Thank you for your support!
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Congratulations! Those flowers are gorgeous–I love Nova Scotia. We used to vacation there a lot–such a wonderful place.
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Thanks, Cecelia! My grandmother grew up on a farm on Economy Point, so the trips I’ve made to Nova Scotia have been extra special. It’s such beautiful country (At least in the height of summer!)
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Lol… On my way! 🙂
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Thanks, Kevin!
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Just got there… Can you believe it? I went last night but immediately had to leave it ‘cause dinner was ready. Went back to it after dinner, but was immediately reminded by my beloved that we were going to watch something together… So, ended up being today…lol. Oh, left a comment there. 🙂🙃😀
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Thank you for making time to listen and comment, Kevin! I appreciate it.
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The pleasure was all mine, Liz. 🙂
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Congrats. will grab my coffee and check it out.
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Thanks, Cynthia!
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Don’t know why WP does that. I was sure I followed you and the button said no. Hmmm. Weird. next thing I will see a rabbit with a watch.
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I’ve seen the same thing with WP. Gremlins, I guess.
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Prob’bly. Have a nice week Liz
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You, too, Brian!
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Wonderful, Liz! I’m headed over to read.
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Thanks, Jennie!
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Fabulous interview Liz. I completely agree about the contribution of the blogging community to the world of writing and writers. It was lovely to hear the voice behind the words, especially the reading of that wonderful poem of yours.
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Thank you so much for listening to Rebecca’s interview, Chris! I’m glad it resonated with you.
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I will definitely come back to this during the day, Liz.
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Oh, good!
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I loved your interview, Liz, and it was so lovely to hear your voice. It is as friendly as your comments/writing. Your comments on blurring fact and fiction made me smile. Family events do take on their own drama, don’t you think? I’ll second the comment about how very encouraging you are. Thank you for being you.
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Oh, my goodness! Thank you so much for your kind words, Tracy. They mean a lot to me.
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It was my absolute pleasure, Liz.
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Listened to your uplifting interview today! Especially appreciated your reflection on being an encourager for other writers. That has definitely become part of my calling as a blogger. I love being a positive voice for others, and felt delightfully validated when you affirmed the importance of doing so. Thank you, Liz!
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Thank you for listening and commenting, Nancy! I’m glad you found the interview validating.
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I just listened to this interview. It was nice to hear your voice, especially reading your poem at the end. I also appreciate your insights into writing.
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Thank you very much for listening and commenting, Audrey! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview.
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Beauteous!
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Thank you, Cindy!
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