Angela Harrington
A had a traumatic year of loss. I lost 3 people to cancer in 8 months.....
1. Tell us about yourself and your most current project/s?
My current published work is called Shattering Glass: A Story of Loss, Love, and Survival. I’m a college instructor teaching early childhood education. I’ve been an educator for about 20 years for varying ages. I’ve written most of my life but this book is my first published piece.
2. Where did the inspiration/idea come for this project?
A had a traumatic year of loss. I lost 3 people to cancer in 8 months and a break up that was very hard to move on from. During a therapy session we talked about how doing creative things helps process trauma. I thought about writing, had an idea of a story then went with it. There are parts of the novel that comes from real life experience and real conversations that I wanted to put in the novel to try and deal with.
3. What does the writing process look like for you?
Sometimes it’s talking to a friend about possible ideas, see what they think. Sometimes ideas will come to me and I’ll write them down. I’ll start thinking of how to begin the story and where I want it to go.
4. How do you handle writer’s block?
I step away from writing for a bit. Wait for inspiration to come to me or I’ll talk through things with a friend. Sometimes that helps to get past the block.
5. How do you feed your creativity when feeling drained?
I spend time with friends. Sometimes I go for a walk in nature. I find nature very inspiring.
6. What advice would you give writers who feel stuck or uninspired?
Talk through ideas with someone that can help. Jot down the smallest of ideas or thoughts. You never know where it will lead you even if it doesn’t make sense at the time.
7. Have you ever thought about giving up writing? If so, what pulled you back?
I have not. The need to tell a story keeps me going. Encouragement from others helps as well.
8. How do you keep your voice or ideas fresh over time?
I’m a new author so everything is fresh now. I have thought about this though. I just keep looking for inspiration from life. Conversations that I have or hear about, encounters that could serve as an idea.
9. What do you wish more people understood about the creative process?
That it is a process. Nothing happens over night. It takes time and you need to be patient.
10. What is the most honest thing you’ve ever written - and did it scare you?
I think my current book is my most honest. It didn’t necessarily scare me but I wondered what people would think about it and how much would they question came from my own life and what might be fiction.
Where can my audience find you and your work?
