‍“Meet the Teacher” offers a quick introduction to the talented writers who teach for The Porch. Today we welcome writer, editor, and creative coach Heidi Fiedler. She writes books for kids and essays for grown ups, and is the author of the book Quickening: The Art of Being a Creative Mother, which is available at helloheidifiedler.com. You can find her on Instagram and on Substack @heidifiedler.‍

Tell us about a book you've recently read and enjoyed. 

Last year I read more fiction than I have in a long time and it felt so good! Hum by Helen Phillips had me doing that thing where you’re racing to turn the pages because you want to know what happens, but you’re almost squinting, because it’s so tense. Ah! It’s so immersive. 

What’s one book or essay you return to again and again to help you think about writing, get inspired, etc.?

I read Tina Welling’s book Writing Wild several years ago, and it has stayed with me. She has a very specific take on writing that might not be for everyone, but I found it incredibly helpful. She takes readers baby-step by baby-step through the process, from having no idea what to write to writing a complete thought, which is something a lot of writing teachers gloss over, and she does it in a very organic, empathetic way. 

I am so inundated with noise that I crave silence in a way that I never used to. But if I need something to help me find my flow and put away my phone for a bit, I turn on the Beatfulness app. It’s super chill and carries me along. 

What is your favorite writing rule to break?

I’m never going to be someone who writes 500 words a day, and I think that’s probably ok. My life just isn’t conducive to that level of intensity or consistency. But I am still a writer, and I still make progress.

Music while writing: Y/N? 

I used to be a yes, but I am so inundated with noise that I crave silence in a way that I never used to. But if I need something to help me find my flow and put away my phone for a bit, I turn on the Beatfulness app. It’s super chill and carries me along. 

What do you love most about teaching writing?

It’s fun to share my love of picture books, but what I really love is helping other people see that writing is possible for them. It’s not just for Writers with a capital W. It’s for anyone who loves books and has a story to tell. 

For you, why does creative writing matter? 

For me, it’s about self expression. Even if I’m just journaling, I treasure the moments when I articulate a vague idea to myself. Then later, if I make those ideas public, I am so glad every time I hear from a reader who says “Me too,” or “You said something that I didn’t have the words for.”

Tell us why you pitched your upcoming class or classes. 

I love picture books. I love reading them. I love writing them. I love talking about them with other writers. They are their own unique art form, and I think there’s so much joy to be found in studying them and creating your own version. 

‍Share something that has inspired your creativity lately, other than a book.  

I’ve been inspired by people who are making small things that feel special. Not every project needs to be monetized or mass produced. Zines are a great example of this. Brattyxbre filmed a really inspiring introduction to zines if you’re interested in making one yourself.

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Join Heidi for "Finding Your Star: How to Write a Picture Book," starting March 3 and running for three weeks! 

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