Kate DiCamillo — On Nurturing Capacious Hearts

Creative Sources

Kate DiCamillo shares the enigmatic nature of storytelling, emphasizing that inspiration often emerges from unexpected places. She describes the creative process as akin to walking with a divining rod, where ideas surface mysteriously, guided by an inner childlike wonder 1. DiCamillo reflects on the importance of maintaining a sense of curiosity and openness to the world, drawing from the works of authors like Ursula Le Guin and Rainer Maria Rilke to illustrate how transformative attention can lead to storytelling magic 2.

It's kind of like walking around with a divining rod in your hand, and you think, here. Here does this. And then a word will appear, and it's like, yeah, dig here.

--- Kate DiCamillo

This approach allows her to weave stories that resonate with both children and adults, capturing the essence of life's complexities.

   

Transformative Attention

DiCamillo highlights the power of reading as a transformative act that fosters connection and imagination. She argues that reading is not passive but an active engagement with another mind, offering a sanctuary from the overwhelming noise of modern media 3. This active listening through literature allows individuals to explore life's beauty and challenges, providing both hope and truth to young readers.

Reading is a means of listening. Reading is not as passive as hearing or viewing. It's an act. You do it.

--- Kate DiCamillo

By paying attention to the ordinary, DiCamillo believes we can rediscover wonder and connection, much like a child marveling at the world 4. This perspective encourages embracing curiosity and courage, themes prevalent in her stories.