Kate Meadows, a returning HippoCamp speaker, is going to give writers an introduction to how they can use visuals to map out their stories. Thanks to Kate for participating in our Q&A!
Tell us a little about your involvement this year at HippoCamp.
I’ll be running a breakout session where we get into the nitty gritty of creative mapping. Creative mapping is a fascinating tool, and there are so many ways to use it as a resource for story planning and structure! I’m excited to show some real-life examples of creative mapping and get into the brains of some of the greatest writers of our time.
Our motto is “memorable creative nonfiction.” Tell us about one of the more recent memoirs, essay collections, or individual essays you’ve read and why it was memorable.
I am in the middle of Jessica Bruder’s Nomadland, and I’m so impressed with the reporting and the way she weaves fact with narrative. I also recently finished Educated by Tara Westover. Her story is powerful for its uniqueness and grit, of course, but I also appreciate how she simply tells her story chronologically. She lets the story speak for itself.
What made you decide to participate in HippoCamp this year as a speaker? If you’re a returning speaker, how did your past experiences encourage you to want to come back?
HippoCamp has become almost a tradition for me – one weekend a year to get away from the demands of daily life and focus solely on creative nonfiction. I love that, during my getaway, I can meet with lots of others who, like me, love and are fascinated with the genre. I love designing and presenting workshops and talking all aspects of writing with other folks. Most of all, I love building relationships with writers and helping others to have those “aha” moments with their own writing.
What’s going to keep you busy between now and HippoCamp? (Ex: what are you working on, any exciting trips or events, etc.)
Right now, I am busy with client work – editing and offering feedback on manuscripts, content writing and “creatively mapping” websites for clients. (See what I did there?) I have to admit I’m a bit lost these days when it comes to my own writing. I’m having so much fun working on writing for others that my own work has, for now, taken a back seat.
Since you’ll also be attending the conference, when you’re not wearing your “speaker hat,” what are you most looking forward to learning or doing?
I’d like to clone myself for the 10:30-11:30 a.m. hour on Saturday 8/14, for John Teske’s, Karen Carnabucci’s, and Athena Dixon’s breakout sessions! I don’t know how I’m going to choose among those three workshops. I’m also eager to connect with new friends and hear what projects people are working on.
We love introducing Lancaster to attendees. If you have been here before, what would you recommend to other attendees?
This will be my third HippoCamp and my third time in Lancaster. As an out-of-stater (I’m coming from South Dakota, which is practically like another country), I think simply walking the streets of Lancaster around the Marriott is a must! There is so much to see and do. I still wear the earrings I bought from a local artisan a few years ago. They are made out of upcycled gift cards.
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Thank you again, Kate! We LOVE hearing that you’re still wearing some locally made earrings!!
To learn more about HippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers and see our full list of speakers and sessions, visit the official conference website.
