Katie Cossette
Why did you submit to trash to treasure lit?
I found the journal on Twitter and I was getting rejection after rejection (a couple more here, couple more there) and I thought "Well, one of these stories must be at least trash-worthy."
How would you describe your writing practice?
When I am in the mood for writing, I seclude myself in my bedroom and I try to make it as quiet as possible, maybe journal a bit beforehand to get my head clear. Then I try and make myself laugh or freaked out by what I write. Sometimes, though, I'm not in the mood and I force myself. It could be at work, on the metro, anywhere, and I try and write anything even if it's bad.
What is the biggest thing that stops you from submitting work to lit mags/journals/publications?
Either not thinking it will fit with their style or there's a pay-wall, which I think a lot of writers struggle with.
Do you think the writing industry has an impact on your confidence in your work (good or bad)? Why?
I do. It's definitely made a positive impact on my confidence and also on my output because if it wasn't for the group of people I've surrounded myself with then I don't think any of my stories would have been fully realized or written down. It also helps to follow what's going on in the writing community, sometimes it's a boost of confidence or motivation. If I see someone getting publication after publication I think, "Well, my stuff is really good too so if they can do it so can I."
When do you start to doubt a piece that you are working on?
Before it's even written, which is the hardest part. I just read a Leonard Cohen quote where he says you can't trash a verse/a piece of writing before it's written and how true that is. It's only by forcing yourself to painstakingly write each terrible letter and word that it makes something that might actually have merit. To push past the doubt, I try to tell myself that no one but myself will be seeing the piece unless I seek someone out (which works 50% of the time because I'm my biggest critic).
Once you trash one of your pieces, what makes you come back to it (if ever)?
When I'm feeling nostalgic I'll take a leisurely stroll through my Google Docs and if something catches my eye I'll reread it. Either I'll cringe at myself and close my laptop for the day or I'll start making tiny edits and tell myself to come back to it.
How many pieces do think you have currently in your 'abandoned' folder?
Definitely at least 10 (I'm only counting prose here because if I were to consider poetry I'd never finish counting).
What is the ultimate reason that you trash your work?
If I don't find the writing sounds right or if I, as the writer, don't find it interesting and that there's no way to salvage it.
Is there anything that would stop you from trashing your work? (More education in writing, more publications/less rejections, a change in the industry, etc)
I don't think so. Sometimes you have to trash work in order to make room for the work that really speaks to you. Even if I became the next Stephen King (my idol), I would still trash work because not everything that we write is supposed to be good.
What writing advice have you been given that has changed your perspective on how you treat/view your work?
Well, definitely the Leonard Cohen quote I mentioned already, but also that I have to write for myself and one special person. I write to make myself laugh or creeped out and if I manage to make my desired reader laugh or throw up as well then I'm floating on air. That special person happens to be my boyfriend, a very willing participant.
If you have any upcoming work (books, publications, features, art, etc), feel free to mention them here, so that we can support you!
One of my favorite poems is soon to be featured in Pixie Lit magazine's first issue so keep an eye out for "Circle Time."
Katie Cossette (she/her) is an English Literature student based in Montreal, QC. Her work has been featured in Scribbles magazine, Trash to Treasure Lit, and is forthcoming in Pixie Lit magazine.