
Most of us live.
Some of us LIVE. Britt Skrabanek is one like this. She’s a life enthusiast, and for the unitiated, that doesn’t mean she runs with the bulls or skydives (without that goofy guide guy strapped to your back, either.)
(She doesn’t do those things, but she could.)
Britt is classic and new all at once. She writes to live and lives to write, always hopeful, never satisfied, forever pushing her own boundaries and exploring the outer reaches of others’. She’s been with me for much of this blogular journey.
Her page, Britt Skrabanek, bears her name because it bears her words – the professional side, the novelist side, the dreamer side, and sometimes, more than one of those.
I’m honored to honor her as a #GirlsRock interview. #GirlsRock is my conversation with compelling women who do cool things. Britt certainly qualifies. Please give her a warm CD welcome, and be sure to visit Britt Skrabanek (the page, not the girl) soon.
Although, you *could* visit the girl …

CD: When you were little, what did you think you’d grow up to be?
Britt: My favorite stories tend to strike an interesting balance between love and war. I read all kinds of fiction because as a writer, I find just about anything interesting. But, my favorite stories invariably are the same – a romantic WWII story that is written lyrically and honestly.
Examples are All the Light We Cannot See and The English Patient. I recently finished the latter and I was floored by the intensely beautiful story Michael Ondaatje masterminded. I mean, when you read this…
“There are betrayals in war that are childlike compared with our human betrayals during peace. The new lovers enter the habits of the other. Things are smashed, revealed in a new light. This is done with nervous or tender sentences, although the heart is an organ of fire.”
…you feel something and you go somewhere. That, to me, is winning the writing game.
CD: When have you felt you were winning the writing game?
Britt: Oooh, that’s a toughie but I’m going with the truth here and saying…never.
I don’t believe writing is that cut and dry anymore, that there is winning and losing. Every high point meets its match at a low point, like spending years writing a book to publish it (win!) and see sales peak at 22 downloads on the weekend it releases (lose!).
Writing is like the most humbling teeter-totter you’ll ever play on. The ups and downs are constant.
For me, trying to chase that winning feeling with writing only leads to disappointment. Then, the doubt comes—and the thought of giving up is right on doubt’s heels.
Writing isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about loving it or not loving it. If you love it, do it…just write. If you don’t love it, find something else you love doing. Life truly is too short.
CD: Tell us about a time you loved writing most.
Britt: Ah, man. There have been so many awesome moments, but one particular blog post stands out to me.
When I found out my mom had breast cancer again, I immediately wrote a blog and published it. I needed the emotional release, but I also wanted to tell her all the things I couldn’t say on the phone when she gave me the news (obviously, I was shell-shocked).
I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, uncensored, without it being a two-way conversation. I wanted to let it all out and ask my kind community to send her good vibes—I wanted to give her strength somehow.
[See Britt’s post about her mom, here]
That may seem like an outlandish idea to some, that a blog could have the power to do all of that. But, it did. I think it was my aunt that read it first and told my mom. The post was shared throughout my community and hers, and it continued to ripple beautifully.
Writing is so very special in that way. Writing allows us to unleash the words we might never say out loud. It allows us to be more bold with our ability to love.
CD: Britt, thanks so much for sharing your story with us. What advice would you give to girls who like to write, and want to do more of it?
Britt: Write constantly…doesn’t matter what it is. Growing up, I wrote in my journal every night about what I was feeling and thinking—as an emotional release more than anything. Often it was gibberish, but it helped me work through a lot of the tough stuff. I “talked” about things that I would have never said in real life to anyone.
The only time I ever wrote anything official was in school when it was an assignment, but there were always stories inside my mind. I never thought I would write one novel, let alone four.
There’s no point in trying to BE a writer, trying to be whatever that image of success is in your head. If you love to write and you’re writing, that’s what makes you a writer. And when you embrace the beautiful simplicity of it all, it feels awesome.
Britt does rock. I enjoy her posts. She is also very supportive which is appreciated, especially on those days when you wonder if anyone is actually reading your blog.
Ummm…cricketmuse rocks too! You’re always very supportive of me as well. Grateful for my awesome blogging community! 🙂
We don’t mess with junk on our blogs, do we Britt? Good stuff.
The blogging community is the largest group of friends I’ve never met. Thanks for your posts and comments.
They’re the most, Crick.
Good to have a good writer believe in you, right Crick? Kinda like you.
You say the nicest things.
Especially when I’ve been fed.
Such an honor to be a part of your #GirlsRock interview series, Eli! Also an honor to know you as a friend. 🙂
The honor’s all mine, Britt. I couldn’t wait to share this interview.
As always, great interview. Girls rock! I love your end quote… as I apply the same philosophy to pretty much everything, mostly running. If you run and you’re running you’re a runner.
Oh, I bet she’d like the book “Light Between Oceans” if she hasn’t read it yet. It’s WWI and romance.
Hey, Stomperdad! I’m a runner and yogi too, and I agree that concept can apply to pretty much everything. I’ll definitely check out that book. 🙂
I would love to get in to doing some yoga, but a) I’m not sure where to fit it in my day and still run and b) where to start 🙂 I just finished the book. It was really good!
I think yoga’s easier with a bald head, probably.
Helps me stick to the mat…
Plus, no lice.
HA! There’s definitely that…
Even disc golf. Kind of.
You should do a book post, brother.
Hmm perhaps. I’m a better reader of books than writer of books already written.
Glad you liked it, Eric. Plus that’s how I see cheese. If you eat cheese and you love it then … well, you’re a cheese. Eater. (Doesn’t sound as fierce.)
If you like pizza and you’re eating pizza, you’re a pizza eater!
Sound logic, my man.
wonderful post and it is all about the simplicity, you are so right. i happened to write about simplicity today as well, and fully believe in a simple approach to things.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the complexity, isn’t it? Simplicity is key I’m noticing, more and more. 🙂
I wish simplicity wasn’t so complex sometimes.
I’m still so distracted by the Valentine’s Day sweets on your page, Beth.
🍩🍰🍪
Awesome post! If only we could bottle simplicity to inject when life starts running away from us! Nice to meet you Britt!
Let me know if you figure that simplicity bottling move! Nice to meet you too, Kisma! 🙂
You should check Tiffany’s joint out, too, Britt.
You’d love her stuff, Tiff.
Nice to meet you Britt. I look forward to reading more.
Britt would dig your words, too, Court.
Nice to meet you, Court! 🙂
this was great
Glad you liked it!