Dr. Emily Herring highlights the significance of embracing chaos in writing, merging structured methodologies with creative exploration to enhance her process.
The podcast underscores the essential role of storytelling in navigating uncertainty, emphasizing that writing serves as an optimistic expression of our shared humanity.
Deep dives
The Importance of Storytelling in Uncertain Times
Discussing the current global climate, the podcast emphasizes the vital role of storytelling in sharing our humanity. The host highlights that in times of uncertainty, expressing thoughts through writing becomes even more essential. Quoting playwright Edward Albee, it is pointed out that writing is inherently optimistic, as one wouldn't engage in it if they felt it didn't matter. The episode encourages listeners to keep contributing their voices as a way to navigate and understand the chaos around them.
Emily Herring's Journey from Academia to Creative Writing
Dr. Emily Herring shares her transition from academia to full-time writing, underscoring how her educational background shaped her writing methodologies. Initially, she adhered to strict French essay conventions, which fostered a structured approach to writing, but later embraced a more relaxed style while pursuing her PhD in the UK. This creative shift proved liberating, as she explored her ideas more freely in her biography of philosopher Henri Bergson. Emily emphasizes the joy derived from blending learned techniques with creativity, allowing for a unique writing experience.
Research and Writing Process Insights
Emily discusses her chaotic yet structured environment for writing and how she navigated research while crafting her biography. She often finds herself in a pattern of writing and revising simultaneously, highlighting the necessity of starting the writing process even amidst ongoing research. Over two and a half years, Emily acknowledges the importance of organizing her extensive notes and sources, adapting her methods to mitigate chaos. This iterative approach exemplifies her belief that being overwhelmed is a common hurdle, and embracing it can lead to progress.
Impact of Editorial Feedback on Writing
The significance of collaboration is underscored as Emily reflects on the feedback she received during the editorial process of her book. She describes how external perspectives provided necessary clarity, enabling her to identify sections that required further development or revision. Despite the initial fear of others altering her work, Emily found that constructive criticism led to stronger content and improved writing. This process helped her appreciate the value of sharing one's work with others and seeking input for growth.
Welcome back to Drafting the Past, a podcast where we talk all about the craft of writing history. I’m Kate Carpenter and for this episode, I’m delighted to be joined on the podcast by Dr. Emily Herring. As you’ll hear, I’ve been following Emily’s career for a while now, and I was eager to ask about her first book and her shift from academia to full-time writing. Her book is called Herald of a Restless World: How Henri Bergson Brought Philosophy to the People. It’s an intellectual biography of philosopher Henri Bergson, who achieved remarkable fame in the early 1900s, and it’s a genuinely fascinating and pleasurable read. Let’s dig into it. Here’s my interview with Dr. Emily Herring.
