Story Works Round Table | Conversations About Craft

SWRT 275 | Craft and Conscience with Kavita Das

·34 min·3 clips

Kavita Das reveals how her policy background almost made her writing unreadable.

The episode is part two of a conversation with author Kavita Das about her book 'Craft and Conscience'. Das begins by addressing the balance between being compelling and truthful in writing, drawing from her background in social change policy. She explains how she had to adapt her writing style to engage readers without compromising on issues. Das distinguishes between fiction and nonfiction, noting that nonfiction has a higher bar for factual truth, while fiction relies on emotional truth and narrative context. She discusses the concept of cultural appropriation, arguing that most people can write about most things if they approach it with compassion, sincerity, and thorough research. Das emphasizes the importance of including authentic voices from within communities in research. She outlines guiding principles from her book, such as hitting pause to examine motivations and considering the intended reader. Das shares a personal anecdote about writing an essay for The Atlantic that went viral and led to negative online comments, highlighting the need for writers to prepare for backlash. She also talks about the pressure on marginalized writers to explain backstory and the tension between writer, reader, and subject. The hosts, Alida Winternheimer and Kathryn Arnold, engage with Das's ideas, noting how her framework provides practical tools for writers. Das mentions her upcoming workshops and teaching engagements. The conversation concludes with reflections on the value of Das's book and resources for listeners to find her work.

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