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.