Sage Tyrtle
Oyster River Pages: What is the most challenging aspect of your artistic process?
Sage Tyrtle: Shutting up the voice in my head that is always shouting variations on "How dare you think you're any good at writing?" It's... an ongoing process. *laughing*
ORP: What do you think is the best way to improve writing and/or artistic skills?
ST: I can't speak for anyone else, but for me it's writing with other people. Sitting alone in my office typing can't hold a candle to an online writing group in which we're all writing to prompts together, and then have the opportunity to share our work right away. Some of my best pieces have begun in exactly that way.
ORP: How do children influence your art and/or writing? If you’re a parent, do your children like your art and/or writing?
ST: My 24 year old son is my first reader and gives fantastic editorial advice. I was unsure at first, but after getting the same feedback on the same pieces from people much more experienced and much older, I've learned to trust his instincts entirely.
ORP: What does vulnerability mean to you as an artist and/or writer?
ST: In memoir, it's writing about the really hard moments (with, obviously, enough emotional distance). In fiction, it's writing about the parts of society that are scary or infuriating instead of staying in fictional places where I feel emotionally comfortable.
