KATE WALTER
Dating is rarely simple, but it can be particularly tough after a bad breakup. Kate Walter, whose writing has appeared everywhere from Ms. to The New York Times, delves into the emotionally and financially challenging end of a 26-year romance in Looking for a Kiss: A Chronicle of Downtown Heartbreak and Healing. Called “the queer, low-budget Eat Pray Love” by author Susan Lander, it follows the NYC-based Walter as she does yoga, attends a gay affirming church and dates at 60. “Writing about my life and reflecting upon it helps me understand what has happened,” she says. “Penning the memoir was cathartic and part of my healing process.” What it wasn´t was easy. “It took three drafts to find the right container for my story, and then it took a while to find a publisher. But I persisted. I needed therapy (my lesbian shrink is a character in my book) to push through my fears about publishing intimate details. If you believe in your project, keep going.” Something else that was important was her weekly writing workshop, which provided “invaluable feedback and moral support.” Walter suggests other artists find a similarly encouraging community. And to those facing heartbreak after a long-term relationship, she offers the following message of hope: “You can heal your life and land in a better place.” -GH
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