This is part two of my interview with Paula Whyman, author of the new book, “Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop,” in which she documents her attempt to restore 200 acres of retired farmland while wearing the wrong footwear, getting conflicting advice, and having essentially no idea what she's gotten herself into, but finding her way through it anyway.

Today I'm talking with Paula about what I call inner stuff, trying to bring the thoughts, ideas, and attitudes that affect your work out into the light.

We unpacked:

- Making the switch from fiction to non-fiction–and how that changes the conversations you have with readers to be less about the work, and more about you

- How working as an editor can make writing harder

- Allowing yourself to blurt, stare off into space, meander, and walk away

- Editing and revising as procrastination

- How writing about failure is more interesting than writing about success

- Staying active and strong as you get older

- A love letter to scientists

- Why planting native plants in your yard is so impactful

- Her favorite cheesy 70s songs

Connect with Paula at paulawhyman.com.

There are new Finding the Throughline episodes roughly every other week–hit “subscribe” so you know when the next ones drop!

For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.

Thank you for listening!

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[Paula Whyman, inner stuff]: Why “writing what you know” is misguided advice Ep 1183

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