What inspired you to write The Dive Reflex?

This essay was formed in response to a prompt Mark Doty gave while I was attending the Writing by Writers Tomales Bay workshop. Part one of the prompt was to recall a significant location and write a description of it for five minutes, relying on all five senses; part two was to write about an entirely different topic that associatively connects to the first. I wrote about the Waukesha public pool because it was the first place I learned how to swim, and water has always been this charged space of mystery and belonging, safety and power for me. The second topic I wrote about was wearing an eyepatch as a kid to strengthen my vision, which on the surface seems totally random, but relates to underlying questions of perception and vulnerability I was trying to grapple with throughout the essay.

Was there anything unique or striking about the writing or research process?

It’s always a thrill to look back and notice where intuition takes over during the writing process–I’ve found the most significant memories and moments of understanding shine through when I give myself permission to wander. This can sometimes be nerve wracking during the initial drafting because it’s not always clear what material will be useful and what might be interesting, but doesn’t serve the project. There’s a bit of a push and pull going on between the subconscious and the intentions a writer lays out.

I was shocked, for example, when my mother found a way into this essay. When I wrote the first draft a few years ago, I’d been exploring themes of childhood/family at length in my writing, and actively wanted to shift focus. I wanted to write a love story about my then-boyfriend (now-husband), and this essay is certainly that, but it’s also about risk, fear, and the wisdom I inherited from my mother, who inherited wisdom from her mother in turn. When considering how women pass along knowledge in a family–especially innate, non-rational knowledge–this essay becomes another kind of love story, one about heritage. I couldn’t tell one without mentioning the other, even briefly.

Have you read anything recently that you’d like to recommend to readers?

Recently I’ve been reading a lot of coming-of-age novels for inspiration while I work on my first book. Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino, Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson, The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe are a few recent favorites.

Where can we learn more about you and your work?

Website: kayleighnorgord.com
Instagram: @kayleighnorgord