Leah Kaminsky
Interview by Madeleine Dore
&
Photography by Annette O’Brien
This interview was originally published in my column for Domain
Leah Kaminsky: Author and physician
Physician and author Leah Kaminsky doesn’t make time to write, she takes it. “I grab it whenever I can – I have been known to finish the final edits of a book with the toilet lid down and the bathroom door locked,” she laughs.
With the release of her latest novel The Hollow Bones earlier this year, Leah is now on the tail end of publicity and reconnecting to the heart of her writing work. “That requires time and solitude.”
Having the dual careers as a physician and a writer have worked in tandem, providing both inspiration and respite from the other.
“Writing can be a fickle gig, and I think my work as a physician grounds me – and I also think writing helps me as a doctor to see that a patient is way more than just a sore throat walking into the room.”
In particular, writing her book We're All Going Die strengthened her relationship with her patients and broaching the subject of mortality.
As Leah reminds us, it’s a subject that can help bring focus to our daily lives and clarify our values and what we want to achieve in our lifetime.
“There is so much I want to do but the clock is ticking, so I am learning to say no to things I don't want to do or aren’t important to me.”
A day in the life of Leah Kaminsky
morning
I am not a morning person – you don't talk to me before I've had my tea or my coffee! My husband is up early, squirrelling around and feeding the rabbit, the cat, and the dog, so by the time I crawl out of bed at around 8am, I just have to throw done a piece of toast and a coffee.
I work four days a week at the practice in Elwood and leave the house about nine. I cut it pretty fine, I've always been like that.
When I'm working from home and have a writing deadline, I will procrasti-bake, tidy up or fold laundry. I'm very scattered until it gets to a point where I finally say to myself, “Leah, sit down and focus.”
There is this space I get into with my writing where time stops and it all begins to gel – there is no replacement for that feeling.
If I am writing a first draft, I usually need quiet and solitude, but if I am editing or researching I can do that with dogs, cats, bunnies, and kids around. When I was a young mother, I used to fantasise about having a room of my own, but now the kids are starting to move out, some days it can feel too quiet!
Midday
If I'm working at the practice, I'm lucky if I fit in lunch because I'm always running late. If I'm at home, I’m always up and about getting something from the fridge or baking or snacking on nuts.
Afternoon
On days If I’m at the clinic, I usually finish around three or four in the afternoon.
I try to swim a couple of times a week, but I sometimes I will come home and the couch looks so comfy, so I might have a little nap in the afternoon instead.
If the kids are around in the late afternoon we will start cooking dinner together – I'm a really slow cook so it takes ages.
Evening
We always have dinner together and chat about the day. My husband is very good at tidying up after dinner.
My first writing teacher, Carmel Bird, once told me:, “If you want to be a writer, my dear, give up the house work” – and you can see I've done that! The place is clean, but I don't care if I've got a ‘home beautiful’.
Set at least an hour where you don’t check social media or emails. I’ll often put my computer away and hand write initial drafts – that process of writing in longhand brings me back to a calmer place and I don't feel as distracted.
Bedtime
I’m a night owl and will often be up past midnight reading or watching something with the kids if they're around. They introduced me to binge-watching, which I find to be a nice outlet after an intense day of researching.
I get a lot of ideas in the shower, so I'll put my pyjamas on and go to the couch and start writing. I usually crawl into bed at midnight or one.
““There is so much I want to do but the clock is ticking, so I am learning to say no to things I don’t want to do or aren’t important to me.””
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