Like Oprah, She’s Serious About It: Interview with E. Katherine Kottaras

Featured Writer at Flint & Steel

How did you discover Medium and how long have you been writing here?

I first learned of Medium years ago — I had created an account and read many pieces for a while. Last summer, I started to get my toes wet in writing and sharing here, but I didn’t feel compelled to share until I found myself laid up in bed for weeks with debilitating hip and back pain. I suddenly found that I wanted to — no, I needed to — write again. Though I’ve written and published for years, including two YA books and other projects for kids, I’d been having a bit of a dry spell.

And so I posted my first real piece:

What are you reading, listening to and/or watching these days?

I recently finished Matrix by Lauren Groff, which was magical and empowering and all kinds of mind-boggling. I’ve been reading a lot of non-fiction and RE-reading poetry (since I’m currently teaching it.) My current top reads are Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski, D.M.A., which has provided me with much needed emotional support and clarity during this difficult semester and Nature Poem by Tommy Pico, a collection of work that I find absolutely entrancing.

I interviewed picture book writer extraordinaire, Karen Yin, just today, so I’ve also been reading her beautiful book, Whole Whale.

I hadn’t watched TV in months since the semester has been so very intense, but the past few weeks, I’ve been able to catch up on shows and movies that have been on my to-be-watched list for a while, including Bridgerton, The Gilded Age, and The Eyes of Tammy Faye. (Thumbs up to all three!)

What is around you while you write? Describe the places you like to write, using all the senses.

Currently, I am reclined on the couch with an Anabelle movie playing on the TV, my kiddo beside me drawing on the iPad, the pungent scent of Romano cheese from their dinner plate, and it’s freezing in here because the heat wave is giving my daughter (who is often plagued by migraines) a headache, so I’m also covered in many layers of sweatshirts and blankets.

Glamorous, I know!

I wrote a piece about how I write that was published a while back on Flint and Steel. I often draft while I walk — there is something about movement that I find more inspiring than stillness for generating ideas.

In fact, I’m leading a 7-week Writing and Yoga Generative Workshop this coming May and June! It’s one of my favorite classes to teach, and I’m so excited to offer it again!

What is your guilty pleasure(s)?

Oh gosh, I guess — and I feel especially guilty since I live in drought-plagued California — showers. I’m with Oprah on this one. “Bathing is my hobby,” she says. “I’m serious about it.” (Though I don’t have a hand-carved tub out of marble and onyx that was carved to the shape of my body. And tbh, I’m a little jealous.)

I do have a shower timer so that I can limit myself because, seriously, the drought here is BAD.

What must be in your fridge (and/or cupboards) at all times?

• Delicious dark chocolate from either Alter Eco or Theo
• Peanut butter
• Crisp apples (either Gala or Honeycrisp)
• Dandelion greens (boiled and served the Greek way)
• Ice cream (McConnell’s or Ben & Jerry’s are my faves)

If you could travel anywhere right now where would you go? (in the perfect bubble where money, covid, and the world is not an issue)

Well, last night I dreamt that we traveled to Hawaii, so that’s definitely at the top of my list.

If I was awake and my conscious mind were choosing the destination, however, I would love to be in Greece, where my family is.

Tell us about one of your Medium articles that you loved writing, that you are the most proud about?

I wrote this poem about four months before I started writing on Medium — while I was out on a walk in Burbank — I typed the first draft into my phone with my thumbs. I wrote it for myself, but I’ve been so incredibly touched by readers’ responses to it.

Tell us about your favorite Medium writers, ones you read on a regular basis.

Ohhhh so many! ❤ YOU, of course, Ellie! ❤

I’ve been collecting my top reads in monthly lists — there are just so many great writers here! Here’s my most recent Top Reads for March:

And your favorite Medium publications to write for and why?

YOURS, haha. (And thank you for supporting my work!) Also:

Thank You Notes. Prism & Pen. The Orange Journal. The Power of Poetry. Wholistique. Educate.

Where else can we find you outside of Medium?

And I’m on most of the social medias: IG, YouTube, FB, LinkedIn, Twitter, or at katherinekottaras.com

You can also Check out my new series, Yoga with Eleonora on YouTube, which helps kids of all ages calm their minds and bodies so they can respond to and communicate their feelings in healthy ways. Here’s the most recent practice:

We are releasing a new one every other week — so please keep an eye out for more!

Thank you for hosting me, Ellie! I respect your writing as well as the work you do to support other writers — this is such an honor!

-Katherine

E. Katherine Kottaras holds an M.A. in English and an M.S. in Kinesiology with a focus on Integrative Wellness, and she is a contemplative writer and holistic teacher, having worked at the middle, high school, and community college levels for over two decades. She is a yoga teacher, personal trainer, and health coach while also living with invisible illnesses and neurodivergence, and as such, she is passionate about mindfulness, bodily self-determination, and health equity. As the queer daughter of an immigrant, Katherine believes that holistic and inclusive approaches to expression, healing, and growth should be accessible to all.

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