41 | How Sue Monk Kidd Listens to her Soul (And You Can Too)

Sue Monk Kidd is one of the world's most beloved writers, occupying a rare intersection of critical and commercial success writers dream of.    Perhaps most recognized for her #1 New York Times Bestsellers, The Secret Life of Bees, which went on to become the basis for a blockbuster movie, and The Invention of Wings, her earlier works, When the Heart Waits, an autobiographical account of a spiritual awakening, and Dance of the Dissident Daughter, a memoir that explores feminist theology, were groundbreaking for millions of seekers too.   And yet, she's still willing to acknowledge how hard it is to start a new project. Sue says that every time she sits down to start a new project, she feels like a beginner. Fortunately, she listens to her soul and her craft, and together, they get here there.   Jen and Sue also discuss:   How Sue consistently taps into what women are feeling and experiencing Recurring themes throughout her body of work How writing memoir helped her find courage and freed her to write fiction How she pivoted in her spiritual life but maintained her creative beacons Writing as an act of courage that serves your soul Why Sue believes our salvation is in our imagination The importance of writing what you deeply care about  Creativity as playing with what you love  The two questions to ask yourself when starting a novel Using imagery and collages as part of the writing process  Why Sue still feels like a beginner  How she dealt with the staggering success of The Secret Life of Bees How perfectionism stymies writing Method and mystery, beginning the writing process, and writing rituals Doing research for historical fiction What Sue would say to her younger self Reflecting on her spiritual path The importance of the simplicity of being Creating as a spiritual act, writing as prayer Transitioning between projects The tension and energy that goes into writing a book Get a copy of Sue's books here:   The Secret Life of Bees AmazonBookshop   The Invention of Wings AmazonBookshop   When the Heart Waits AmazonBookshop   Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.