Writers on Writers-Jor-El Caraballo
*Welcome everyone to another installment of Writers on Writers. For the first installment, and to get an understanding of what I am after, please check out the collaboration I did with
I am a nerd that is fascinated with the creative process of others and have been musing for quite some time on how I could link up with other creatives. I will do at least one of these per month, but I’m sitting on some juicy posts so it probably will be more. :) With that said, I am so excited for you to get into today’s offering. I have followed timidly at first due to my shyness. So many insights and musings that resonate with me. Enjoy this interview. My questions are emboldened and answers are below each question.
What made you first take up the pen? Is there a certain memory you can go back to?
Writing has been with me as long as I’ve understood language. I remember when I was very young I had a notepad that I practiced writing in. I started with little poems and continued for some time. I wonder what ever happened to that notepad! I remember how easily my pencil would tear the recycled paper and the multicolored landscape illustration that graced its cover. Before I knew what writing really meant I think I understood it as an avenue to explore my inner world.
What is different about writing now, today, in these years?
When I was younger, I was very interested in poetry. I found the structure and imagery captured my interest and desire to express myself while shielded in metaphor and imagery. I now find it difficult to write poetry but am starting to revisit it as a reader.
These days, I find myself writing mostly in an essay format. Most of my writing is driven from a place to make connections and share information to help make the world we live in more authentic and tolerable. My background in psychology helps me understand so much about the human experience and our needs to make sense of the world…and ourselves.
Who inspires you? Could be writing wise or in general?
For better and for worse, people are my strongest motivators. On one end, it’s the stories of people I work with and encounter in life that help motivate me to share something I think could be helpful for others. I find it heartening to know that I get to be a part of people’s lives in this way.
On the other end, I’m attuned to the shadowy harm and brutality of this world, and the people in it. That difficulty inspires me to show and write about how we navigate life the best that we can.
What is one image that sums up your writing?
When I first started writing my newsletter the idea of “coffee and contemplation” summed it up well. I try to live my life mindfully and so I loved the image of someone sitting down with a full, warm cup of coffee, taking their time to be with my writing – rather than just reading it.
Take us into a bit of your writing process? It’s ok if its scattered…how do you begin?
My process is definitely scattered! While I’ve taken some writing courses in my lifetime, it’s not been a profession for me until the past couple of years. I find that I’m at my best when I have time to really settle in, often blocking off a couple of hours to wonder (and sometimes even wander too) and then draft. I’ve learned that, more than anything, getting out of my own way and not thinking too much often yields the best results.
I’m also a big fan of listening to classical music of instrumental jazz when I write. I find that it helps me slow down and become more connected with myself. This allows the words to flow more freely.
What keeps you writing?
I’ve also been so incredibly inspired by the other writers I’ve encountered in the past few years. I’ve previously mentioned that as I was writing my first book, The Shadow Work Workbook, I fell in love with books again as a reader. With that, I’ve been able to connect with so many talented writers by reading their books, and their newsletters here on Substack. I’m encouraged by the brave hearts that writers have. Their art and audacity continues to inspire me every day.
Give us a piece that you wrote that you are proud of.
I wrote a newsletter post last year called Finding Meaning Through Feeling and I really like how this passage turned out:
“Emotions speak to our subjective realities. That is, our feelings are experiences and sensations that occur in response to our environment. They reflect things that happen within our hearts, minds and souls, but also in response to the very real world in which we exist. Part of their beauty is that feelings can be so incredibly complex and layered, or so simple, that we talk ourselves out of our experience and use intellectualism as a crutch for not-feeling. We often wear poise and rationality as a badge of honor, making emotionality a weakling’s liability. The truth is much more complicated. Being human means we simply have, and need, both thought and feeling.”
*Thank you all for reading and engaging with this substack. I hope that you enjoyed this
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Thank you so much for inviting me in Robert 🙏🏿 I appreciate you!
Thanks to you both! This was a wonderful read—one of the things I appreciate about many in the growing culture of Substack is their desire and ability to highlight another writer’s work—a selfless and noble act of generosity. Robert, you are so good at this and Jor-El is a worthy writer to showcase!