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Craig Mod: Things Become Things That Last

May 8, 2025

Guest

Craig Mod

Craig Mod, a writer and photographer who's embraced Japanese culture for 20 years, shares insights from his new memoir about a 300-mile pilgrimage. He discusses creative setbacks that shaped his journey and the delicate balance between artistic integrity and commercial success in publishing. Mod highlights the intertwining of walking, memory, and friendship in his storytelling. He also emphasizes the importance of reflection, adaptability in writing, and the joy of creating a dedicated space for creativity.

57:30

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ANECDOTE

Novel Project Shaped His 30s

Craig Mod worked on a novel about burying his dad for several years that never got published.
Despite rejection, the project enabled residencies and connections that shaped his 30s profoundly.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Finish Small Creative Projects

Complete smaller creative projects to practice tools and finishing work.
Finishing work is a powerful skill often overlooked by many creatives.

insights

INSIGHT

Themes Emerge Organically

Themes in Craig Mod's work emerge organically through immersion and reflection rather than conscious planning.
Physical walking and dictation release ideas that then reveal natural thematic connections during editing.

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Embracing Creative Setbacks

02:34 • 4min

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The Organic Process of Infusing Memory and Narrative

06:50 • 5min

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Navigating the Publishing Landscape

11:37 • 18min

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Exploring the Creative Editing Process

29:23 • 2min

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Navigating Memoir: Writing, Recording, and Reflection

31:36 • 22min

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Creating a Dedicated Space for Creativity and Reflection

54:03 • 3min

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#7568

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Kissa by Kissa

Craig Mod

Kissa by Kissa is a book that combines travelogue, photography, and cultural studies as Craig Mod walks the ancient Nakasendō highway from Tokyo to Kyoto. The book focuses on the vanishing kissaten cafes and the cultural significance of pizza toast in post-war Japan. It is a beautifully crafted volume with photographs and essays that reflect on the human and cultural geography encountered during his journey.

#271

• Mentioned in 57 episodes

Bird by Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Anne Lamott

Susan Bennett

Bird by Bird is a comprehensive guide to writing that covers various aspects of the craft, from the initial stages of starting a project to the technical details of plot, character, and dialogue. Lamott emphasizes the importance of persistence, faith, and hard work in writing. She advocates for writing imperfect first drafts and warns against the pitfalls of perfectionism and self-criticism. The book also delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of writing, encouraging writers to confront their deepest fears and desires. Lamott's approach is down-to-earth, humorous, and generously filled with personal experiences and practical advice.

#2520

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

Things Become Other Things

Craig Mod

Things Become Other Things blends memoir and travel writing, recounting a 300-mile walk on Japan's Kumano Kodō routes. The journey reflects on the author's childhood, experiences as an adoptee, and his relocation to Japan, while exploring history, literature, and spirituality in rural Japan. The book is a poignant exploration of personal growth and cultural insight.

#134

• Mentioned in 96 episodes

On Writing

A Memoir of the Craft

Stephen King

This book is both a memoir and a writing guide. It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999. The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C. V. '), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript'). King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing. He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.

#1305

• Mentioned in 19 episodes

Wool

Hugh Howey

In 'Wool', the first book of the Silo series, Hugh Howey depicts a dystopian future where humanity lives in a self-sustaining underground silo. The story follows Sheriff Holston and later Juliette, a mechanic turned sheriff, as they uncover the sinister truths and conspiracies within the silo. The novel delves into the lives of the silo's residents, who are kept in the dark about the true state of the outside world, and the harsh punishments for those who express a desire to leave. The book is known for its suspenseful and engaging narrative, exploring themes of survival, hope, and the quest for truth in a confined and controlled environment.

#54701

Tinker Creek

Annie Dillard

Today, the Spotlight shines On Craig Mod, a writer, photographer, and walker who's spent the last 20 years making Japan his home.

Random House has just released Things Become Other Things, a walking memoir that traces his 300-mile journey along ancient pilgrimage paths in rural Japan. The book blends sharp prose with striking photography, capturing conversations with aging fishermen, inn owners, and cafe "mamas" while reflecting on friendship, loss, and the disappearing village life of Japan's Kii Peninsula. This is an expanded and reimagined mass market edition of the title Craig issued in a fine art edition directly to his online community of followers.

His previous books include Kissa by Kissa, which explores Japan's old cafe culture, and he reaches some 40,000 readers through his newsletters on photography, literature, and walking. Craig's work sits at a perfect intersection of deep attention and wandering feet.

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Dig Deeper

Visit Craig Mod at craigmod.com
Purchase Things Become Other Things from Bookshop.org, Powell’s Books, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Apple Books
Check out Craig’s self-published books on his online store and learn more about his Special Projects membership
Craig Mod - The 'Rules' of Walking
Things Become Other Things (fine art edition)
Dig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com

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