Cate Rubenstein, featured in the Authors Guild’s Member Spotlight, describes writing as a “release, a pressure valve of sorts” that helps her articulate complex thoughts and emotions.
She emphasizes the medium’s role in preserving fleeting moments and fostering human connection, noting that “we want human connection with other imperfect minds more than we want perfect technology.”
When asked about overcoming writer’s block, Rubenstein recommends physical activity, saying, “Movement beats anything. Just get going! Exercise gets the blood going, even just going for a walk and changing scenes visually.” She advises stepping away from the page to return refreshed.
Rubenstein’s preferred writing schedule depends on inspiration: “If I’m inspired—I will wake up early and still be writing well into the night, nonstop, never moving. If I’m not… nothing can make me. Unfortunately.”
She cites Ernest Hemingway’s advice as the most impactful: “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know. Just write the truth.” Rubenstein believes truth makes writing infinitely more interesting than imagined narratives.
Regarding the modern literary landscape, she remarks on a “sense of nihilistic impending doom that’s artistically freeing,” reflecting both the challenges and creative possibilities of today’s age.