I am not a writer, am I?

This is a blog for writers who don't know if they're writers

Spoiler: 

You are.

I am not a consistent writer. All the writing podcasts and advice books etc, etc., say you need to develop consistent writing schedule and remain vigilant and rigorous and all these things that I 100% absolutely am not and do not. And maybe that is the marker between success and mediocrity- but do I need to be successful to be good and take joy in what I'm doing. Nah.

Is this an excuse? Probably, but it's also real life. Look, I've written 4 books, 3 of which I may someday publish, and 2 chapbooks, 1 of which is published. I'm 38. Has anybody noticed my writing outside of my friends and family? Not likely. 

Sometimes I wonder why I keep doing it. What's the purpose, if it doesn't make a broad impact? In a capitalist society, are we good at something if we can't make a living on it? 

That is a resounding yes. Look, art and writing and poetry, and all the textile arts, these have been around as long as human history. We have written human history because of us, for fucks sake. It's taken me decades to deprogram that academic snobbery (and it's probably still hanging in there in the dark, un-swept corners), but we don't need all that shit to create works of beauty, works that embody our lives and our hearts. 

I am a writer. I don't write when I'm supposed to... I don't write how I'm supposed to, but I am a writer. I am a writer. I am an artist. I am a musician. I am an athlete. I am my own validation (but like, it's cool if you want to validate me too, I'm a Virgo and a person and I like that shit).

Are you also a writer or an artist. It's okay to say that. Don't demean it, don't denigrate it. You get to own this. If you write, you're a writer. If you're taking a break from writing, you're still a writer. You are a writer.

So here are some tips from a
Not-Famous-At-All Writer 

Who Has These Same Struggles

Please feel free to add any in the comments <3 

1. Create through and with fear. Look, it would be wildly unrealistic to say that you can create without fear. If you've ever started a massive writing project, there's a really good chance you've struggled with it: fear that you're not good enough, that you're faking it (hellooooo imposter syndrome), that it's a waste of time, that nobody wants to read it, any number of things. Creation is also sitting with those fears, holding them gently, and knowing that they are not your truth. Accept them as a part of your narrative, but you don't have to hold them as your reality.
   
   
2. Take a break from creating and live your life. You breathe new life into your words with new experiences, new feelings. A break is just time to till the earth and plant the seeds.
   
   
3. Don't give up. Woof, this one is hard to write, because I super want to give up on this novel and I've been talking about finishing it for years but it just feels so hard and big and I don't know how to do it. Butt in seat, fingers on keyboard, love and forgiveness to myself.
   
   
4. Get constructive feedback from other writers. On your work, but also on your progress. It helps to have somebody who knows what struggs you strugging and can speak to it. Cultivate your writer/artist friends.
   
   
5. Share your finished products with your friends and family. Your voice deserves to be heard and you are wonderful and goddamn am I SO PROUD OF YOU FOR FINISHING THE THING. HOLY HELL, THAT'S SO AMAZING AND HARD AND POWERFUL.
   
   
6. Own your creation. Say, write, sing that you are a writer. Know that deep in your big, squishy, wonderful heart. Keep saying it. 

I like lists. I hope you liked this list! And don't forget- if you like this content and want to support my writing and read supporter-only content, you can buy me a cuppa at ko.fi. You can also purchase my chapbook & audible of poetry, a record of night at Amazon. If you're so inclined, you can also follow my author page at goodreads or follow me on Twitter. 

Please show me some love and leave a comment, review, or rating on any of these platforms! Have an awesome day, my friends.

knock knock

Who's there?

It's me, ya Kit! And my chapbook from 2013, a record of night, is now available all over the place. I just discovered this when I googled it randomly today. 

Catch me at Indiebound

Catch me at Books-A-Million

So hey, you can buy them there, too! So buy my poetry, y'all. It's pretty decent, ok. And SOON THERE WILL BE AN AUDIBLE NARRATED BY THE INCOMPARABLE E.M. KNOWLES... SO YEAH.

Okay.

Love y'all. Keep on NaNoWriMoing!

Rambling about Greek Myth Podcasts and other things...

Okay, so I've binged all of the Nightvale Presents that I can and I'm currently listening to a podcast called Let's Talk About Myths, Baby. This podcast is delightful. The podcaster, Liv, is hilarious and I love hearing interpretations of mythology that read into the very dudely narratives. I just listed to her mini myth about Daphne and rant about Theseus. Let me tell you, I was giggling over my salad, by myself, in a room filled with colleagues.

This was probably the least weird thing I did today.

During her retelling of Daphne, I made some connections that I'm sure I'm not the first to make. Current theory: The Goddess Diana? SUPES GAY. Her "virgin" followers? SUPES GAY. My next story perhaps based on her or Daphne? Possibly. Alternate interpretation? Supes Ace!

While I was thinking these thoughty thoughts, it sparked a memory. Long, long ago, when I was in JCL (that's Junior Classical League to you non-nerds), I did submitted a painting of Daphne for a contest. It did not win. I was really butt hurt about it. But apparently I really resonate with that myth, so I think that alone warrants more exploring.


So anyway, listen to that podcast. It rocks. Hope everybody is having a marvelous Monday! May inspiration strike you before the first cup of coffee!

I would like to have a word with you

It's still Pride month! 

love, live, resist, drink coffee, write.

Cheers, Queers!

It's time for the last installment of the audios from a record of night. I hope you enjoy these tidbits. I had a lot of fun recording them!

As always, if you like what you hear please stop by Amazon and purchase my chapbook and/or leave a review.

A few words for you...

1. Easley River Road
2. Bur Oak Tree

Now go out and spread all the sparkly eco-friendly glitter while you speak truth to power. 

A few words, dear reader

Happy Pride, all month!

Gay agenda: eat fruit, drink coffee, read poetry, make out with gorgeous people.

I hope this post finds you well! I have finished editing my audios from a record of night and would love to share them with you! Grab a cup of coffee, some headphones, and join me for a journey into the awkwardly narrated audio files of K. Steitz.

And hey, if you like what you hear, please stop by Amazon and pick up my kindle chapbook or leave a review! A few words from you can really help others find my poetry.

After much ado, a few words for you, my dear reader...

1. When we die
2. Telescope
3. In the process, everything

Thanks for your support! Keep an eye out for more hella queer posts and more audio recordings this month!

Happy Pride- Let's get gay!

Happy Pride Month, y'all!

 Here is a picture of my perfect chihuahua taking a nap. Don't say I never gave ya nuthin!

What super queer poets or fabulous trans, non binary, or ace poets do you like to read during pride? 


Meanwhile, in rainbow-studded update land, I am recording a few poems from a record of night (you know, that chapbook I wrote). I'll share them a little bit later, when I've done editing. Keep an eye out!

(psst. Gratuitous plug incoming: want to support a queer poet this month? Buy my chapbook or leave me a review at amazon.com! Thanks, readers!!)

easley river road

This is a poem from my chapbook, a record of night. This almost-sonnet was written about a tryst with a married man (shock! gasp!) who was separated from his husband but was still remarkably unavailable. If you don't pine for a few emotionally unavailable humans in your college years, can you really say you went to college?

If you're interested in reading more of my poetry, please check out my chapbook at Amazon!

Don't forget leave a review and rate the chapbook at Amazon! It will help raise visibility and your feedback means a lot to me. 

when we die

This is a poem from my chapbook, a record of night. My soon-to-be ex-wife and I didn't talk much about what would happen when we died, but I thought about it. I find the idea that I could be a part of feeding the plants and integrating fully with the natural world after death to be very soothing. Our ashes won't mix together after death, but I still enjoy reflecting upon my ashes mixing with the roots of a chicory.

If you're interested in reading more of my poetry, please check out my chapbook at Amazon!

Don't forget leave a review and rate the chapbook at Amazon! It will help raise visibility and your feedback means a lot to me. 

telescope

This poem is from my chapbook, a record of night. This poem was started on a night with a clear sky, full of stars, and a cold longing for a dear friend who was very far away.

If you're interested in reading more of my poetry, please check out my chapbook at Amazon!

Don't forget leave a review and rate the chapbook at Amazon! It will help raise visibility and your feedback means a lot to me. 

In the process, everything

This is a poem from my chapbook, a record of night. I was inspired to write this poem by a jar of honey I had left in my mud room/writing room. The room was not as well insulated as the house, an add-on where a porch used to be, and I found myself staring into it as the seasons progressed. It was like staring into a bonfire or candle flame.

If you're interested in reading more of my poetry, please check out my chapbook at Amazon!

Don't forget leave a review and rate the chapbook at Amazon! It will help raise visibility and your feedback means a lot to me. 

Remember that time I published a chapbook?

No? I forget sometimes, too. But I did! Did you mean to check it out but forget about it in the flurry of daily life? Now is your chance, my friends.

I'm reviving the chapbook! a record of night is available on Amazon! This chapbook contains my favorite poems that I wrote during college and my soon-to-be-legally-over marriage (angsty divorce poems not currently forthcoming). If you are into nature imagery, love, and longing, this chapbook is for you!

Over the next several weeks, I'll share with you some of the poetry contained in the book. If you like what you hear, please share the images or buy the chapbook (buy the chapbook!).



Don't forget leave a review and rate the chapbook at Amazon! It will help raise visibility and your feedback means a lot to me. 

at Planet Comicon in Kansas City

I don't talk about my comic-nerd side very often on this blog- I save it mostly for my tumblr, but I have an announcement!

I was invited to be on the Out in Comics: LGBTQ Trends in Popular Culture panel (room 2503A) from 2-3 pm. Please come check out all the amazing panelists and watch me say things confidently that I instantly regret. Jokes, jokes, I'm sure it will be years before I regret them. Or when I'm trying to go to sleep and I can't remember if I said something or didn't. But I promise, I will definitely say them with a great deal of confidence.

My doodle blog can be found at http://foonalina.tumblr.com