Ask the Author: Kate Vogt
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Kate Vogt
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Kate Vogt
Care for your writing time as though it were a good friend: schedule regular blocks of time; before you sit down, pencil out one small goal, e.g., research xxx - set reasonable expectations; at the end of the time, go for a walk, have a cup of tea...; be nice to yourself and the process; be part of a community of other writers; call yourself a writer from day one; and generally use common sense. I wish you luck.
Kate Vogt
I'm looking for recommendations for summer reading. I've started a list with Richard Power's "Overstory." It seems that during these weeks of staying in place, that's what I've done - stayed in place. Rather than anticipating or planning what's ahead, I've enjoyed practicing what I wrote about in my introduction to "Our Inherited Wisdom," which is to live with a little more reverence for the everyday, every day.
I'm appreciating anew the gift of being alive, having a loving husband Jay, running water, fresh food, a comfy apartment, and wise ancestors. Daily, I recall some of the common sense wisdom from my father, who was a wheat farmer in Kansas and lived until he was 93. He would regularly remind himself and my four siblings to know the difference between your wants and real needs, and to learn to be grateful (and responsible) for what you have, even your breath and body. My artistic mother had different, but similar advice, e.g., to see the beauty in you and around you. They aren't the first humans to share these simple sentiments, but like many people in their generation and earlier, they actually used them as guidelines for navigating the easy and difficult times.
Staying in place has given me an opportunity to notice the subtle shifts in the woods and hills around me. A meadow on a nearby ridge has become greener, the bees have moved from one flowering plant to another, and an owl has returned to our neighborhood. I feel more intimate with my surroundings and pace of life.
For reading during this quiet time, I've returned to reading and reflecting on the poetry in the two anthologies that I co-edited with Ravi Nathwani. Now, as the restrictions on staying at home are lightened, I'm beginning to notice the reappearance of signs of summer. This area where I live is Coastal Miwok land and now called Marin County has had a couple typical summer days where there is a foggy chill in the area. Perfect reading weather is ahead. Thank you for this question to spark my pondering.
I'm appreciating anew the gift of being alive, having a loving husband Jay, running water, fresh food, a comfy apartment, and wise ancestors. Daily, I recall some of the common sense wisdom from my father, who was a wheat farmer in Kansas and lived until he was 93. He would regularly remind himself and my four siblings to know the difference between your wants and real needs, and to learn to be grateful (and responsible) for what you have, even your breath and body. My artistic mother had different, but similar advice, e.g., to see the beauty in you and around you. They aren't the first humans to share these simple sentiments, but like many people in their generation and earlier, they actually used them as guidelines for navigating the easy and difficult times.
Staying in place has given me an opportunity to notice the subtle shifts in the woods and hills around me. A meadow on a nearby ridge has become greener, the bees have moved from one flowering plant to another, and an owl has returned to our neighborhood. I feel more intimate with my surroundings and pace of life.
For reading during this quiet time, I've returned to reading and reflecting on the poetry in the two anthologies that I co-edited with Ravi Nathwani. Now, as the restrictions on staying at home are lightened, I'm beginning to notice the reappearance of signs of summer. This area where I live is Coastal Miwok land and now called Marin County has had a couple typical summer days where there is a foggy chill in the area. Perfect reading weather is ahead. Thank you for this question to spark my pondering.
Kate Vogt
With COVID-19, I've scaled back my writing time and shifted it to reading poetry, walking in the woods near the apartment where my husband and I live near San Francisco, CA, and being quiet as much as possible. That has given me the space to be more attentive to my bi-monthly HEARTH reflections and monthly newsletter, and caring the readers of my existing books, e.g., live readings of ancient poetry.
Kate Vogt
Thank you for this question. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on how I get inspired to write. I'm always trying to find what is unsaid. That is, the space between the words, the thoughts. Some might say that I am looking for the voice of the heart-mind.
As evidenced by my books, I am inspired by our universal wisdom and its remembrance offered by our mother earth and the early peoples' prayers, verses, poetry, and songs. There is wordless love springing forth from the land and sky and the timeless knowingness shared by our wise human ancestors. My inspiration also comes from knowing that grief, sadness, vulnerability, joy, resilience, and survival resonates with all beings, and resurfaces through the forms of our arts, language, music, and even everyday living.
As evidenced by my books, I am inspired by our universal wisdom and its remembrance offered by our mother earth and the early peoples' prayers, verses, poetry, and songs. There is wordless love springing forth from the land and sky and the timeless knowingness shared by our wise human ancestors. My inspiration also comes from knowing that grief, sadness, vulnerability, joy, resilience, and survival resonates with all beings, and resurfaces through the forms of our arts, language, music, and even everyday living.
Kate Vogt
"Our Inherited Wisdom: 54 Inspirations from Nature and Poetry" came from my friends who continually urged me to publish another book. They wanted something simple to feed their soul. I'm a daughter of wheat farmer Bob Vogt who fed thousands of people and animals through his work, so loved the idea of being able to "feed" others with personal insights and timeless poetry from sages and poets from around the world. My hope is that is will nourish you and your good works in the world.
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