Gifted Achiever Richard Kelly Kemick

An Underachieving Note: We’ve underachieved again. Summer is waning and\or peaking depending on whether you are going back to school or not. And we are, well, crazy busy with the details of life while fulfilling important family duties. And so, we bring you an incredible interview with the guy whose notebook is described as “off putting with serial killer vibes.” We love him. You love him. Here he is…

In this episode, Pat and James have a wide-ranging discussion with Gifted Achiever and author Richard Kelly Kemick. His most recent book—Hello, Horse—is a wonderfully unique collection of short stories that features a coterie of ghosts, nuns on ice, and an above average number of dogs while exploring the mirage of authenticity and the impact of decisions we make—for better or worse.

In a word, Richard is brilliant and funny (yes, I know, that was two words). As but a taste of the topics Pat and James explored with him:

* Pen or pencil?

* His writing and publishing process, which includes his fair share of rejections (something we all have experienced).

* The pleasure of working with a fabulous old-school editor.

* Moving up the rejection ladder.

* Can an arts community become too dependent on grants? And can funding abundance disconnect the artist from their audience?

* Our favorite authors and books.

* Why the writer/creator must work harder than the reader/viewer/audience.

* When applying for a grant, have an idea not an emotion.

* Rejection is just another step forward.