Drafting the Past

Episode 63: Surekha Davies Has No Lack of Deadlines

20 snips
Apr 11, 2025
Surekha Davies, a historian and former professor turned full-time writer, dives into the fascinating intersections of humanity and monstrosity. She shares her journey from academia to writing, revealing the joys and struggles of her creative process. Surekha discusses her books, especially 'Humans: A Monstrous History,' exploring how humans define identity in relation to creatures and concepts from apes to zombies. She also emphasizes the importance of community feedback and reflects on tackling imposter syndrome in scholarly work.
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ANECDOTE

From Physics to History

  • Surekha Davies initially planned to be a theoretical physicist, inspired by Star Trek.
  • She switched to history and philosophy of science after realizing the limitations of pursuing a career in astrophysics.
ADVICE

Morning Writing

  • Write first thing in the morning to avoid nervousness and overthinking.
  • Start writing immediately after waking up, before your "super ego" kicks in.
ANECDOTE

2,000 Words a Day

  • Surekha Davies successfully wrote her first book draft by setting a daily goal of 2,000 words.
  • She strategically chose easy tasks to meet this goal, leaving more complex tasks for later.
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