Q&A w. presenter/creator Maude Garrett
“Create as if someone will one day be paying.”
I have been thinking a lot about happiness lately. What it takes to get it – and having spent so much of my life without it – what it takes to keep it. I’ve realised that, for me, happiness primarily comes down to two things:
1. The opportunity to work on anything I am passionate about.
2. How few times I am obligated to do things I don’t want to do.
Beyond basic human needs — that’s it. Creation may be the endorphin rush, but ‘not doing things’ is the quiet baseline of happiness that hums soothingly in the background.
I love working. In fact, I don’t really consider writing work per se. Even when it’s hard, it still feels like such an inexplicable privilege to do this for a living that it never really feels hard. Perhaps that is a product of growing up in a working-class Welsh town, where most people were just grateful to have a job – much less a career, and much less a career in the arts. I love getting to do this. Getting to. Any time I wake up and spend the day sitting in a fancy coffee shop, drinking excessively priced coffee, and getting paid to make things up… it's just the best. The absolute best. That’s one reason I don’t believe in writer’s block. It feels like an existential problem for the soft and the affluent.
To me, getting to do what you want, the way you want to do it, is winning — no matter the outcome. If that’s true for you, then congratulations on being an absolute baller. It is for this reason that I tend to admire people who not only do what they love, but who have carved out a niche entirely their own. This month’s guest didn’t just create her own niche — she did it twice.
For those new to this Substack, every third newsletter features a special guest Q&A based on the Proustian Questionnaire — a series of confessional-style questions by the novelist Marcel Proust. This is a snappy spin on that format, where we pose twenty questions on art, habits, and a creative life to talented artists and creators making their mark. Our fourth guest is presenter, content creator, and pun queen extraordinaire — Maude Garrett.
After getting her start in her native Australia, Maude relocated to Los Angeles and quickly became the go-to host for outlets like BBC America, Nerdist, and Rotten Tomatoes, and garnered a reputation for her sharp wit and red-carpet charisma. Comfortably nestled somewhere between journalist and enthusiast, Maude brings a personal, whimsical energy to her interviews, with the seamless back and forth of fast friends on their second cocktail.
In 2012, Maude launched Geek Bomb – a digital platform celebrating “geek culture with intelligence, humour, and heart,” covering everything from gaming and comics to sci-fi and pop culture commentary. Over the course of a decade, Maude grew Geek Bomb into a vibrant community and championed girls and women becoming more active in these spaces. She recently revamped Geek Bomb into ‘Maude’s Book Club’, pivoting to monthly sci-fi/fantasy picks, author Q&As, and live discussions. As Maude puts it:
“Geek Bomb nearly always had an iteration of a sci-fi and fantasy book club throughout the years – and I recognized that out of all the topics we covered (playing/watching/reading), that not only did reading hold the smallest audience, but it was also my favourite thing to discuss. I felt that gaming and film/tv were so oversaturated and books were often neglected, so I wanted to put all my energy behind a single endeavour to encourage more people to read books!”
This is arguably what sets Maude apart: not only was she ahead of the curve on the importance of building a platform, but everything she has built comes from a place of authenticity — not a reactionary leap onto whatever trend is thirstiest for the algorithm.
It goes without saying that many of the spaces Maude operates in – gaming, comics, genre fandom – are male dominated. What doesn’t go without saying is how often those spaces are openly hostile to women – especially to women who have dared to build something, and usually because of boys who have built precisely nothing.
To carry on regardless – to work, play and thrive in these spaces – is an act of quiet defiance. It is also the act of an absolute baller.
Kris
The Artist’s Gym Q&A w. Maude Garrett
1. What is your idea of professional happiness?
In the current entertainment climate I've been facing - actually working makes me happy. With Covid, then two back-to-back strikes, LA has been hit hard with budget cuts and project droughts. Busy means I'm happy!
2. What was your greatest fear when you began your career as a creator?
Luckily, my biggest fear didn't emerge when I was just beginning. I started my career before Facebook had even made it to Australia, so social media was barely a blip of existence. If I wanted to read something negative about myself, I would have to visit a forum! The fear I face as a creator today is the lack of context people require to form judgement and even verbal abuse. The mantra is "Let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story", and when that 'story' is your livelihood, it can be frightening.
3. What is your favourite quality in yourself as a creator?
I absolutely love interviewing. I love making someone feel so comfortable that they're confident to share powerful stories. When interviewing celebrities for movies, I'll often get 4-5 minutes to conduct the interview - which is roughly three questions, four if they're not chatty. To be able to create comfort in that time is very difficult. I think a lot of it comes from intention - I'm not out to exploit the talent for juicy gossip or confrontational angles. I'm there to have a fun time, and that can be a lot less threatening.
4. What is the trait you most deplore in your work?
I believe to be truly successful in this era of full-time 'Content Creators' and influencers, it can require narcissistic tendencies. To put yourself out there, broadcasting your life and opinions as worthy of attention and to NOT get affected or even deterred by the sludge of negative comments. This insight is backed by living in LA and attending many of the influencer events... I've seen some shocking behaviour.
5. What is the quality you most like in another creator?
The other side of the creator industry in LA that I've appreciated is the art of lifting others up in collaboration. There (was, perhaps) an air of abundance that comes from a plethora of opportunities.
6. What is the trait you most deplore in other collaborators?
That they don't get as bogged down in the process as I do.
7. How do you deal with your successes?
I feel wonderful for a day, and then the bar then raises slightly and it's straight back to it.
8. What do you consider the most overrated quality in a presenter?
That high followers automatically equals talent and skill.
9. Have you ever lied or willfully deluded yourself about your career/work?
I wouldn't say I necessarily have imposter syndrome, but I think my subconscious delusion that this career seemed relatively easy popped when I started experiencing rejection... 13 years into my career.
10. Which other talent would you most like to cultivate?
The art of staying interested in the specialty topic a decade later without it feeling like an expectation or a chore.
11. If you could improve one thing about yourself as a creator, what would it be?
The will to continue to do it. Oof, that DOES sound bleak!
12. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having a relatively successful and productive career for over 15 years.
13. What is your most treasured memory of your craft (presenting or content)?
My peers recognizing my effort.
14. What do you regard as the lowest moment of your career and how did you deal with it?
I'm currently experiencing it, so will keep you posted!
15. Who is your favourite hero in fiction (and why)?
I can't believe I'm saying this, but a lot of anime give me hope, focus and drive. There's such a strong dedication to being the best and giving your all, that it's actually infectious.
16. Who is your fitness/athletic hero in real life (and why)?
Mothers who are juggling it all.
17. What is your workout routine?
I walk for 90 mins a day with my dog, and add in HIIT, Pilates, strength, and cardio throughout the week.
18. What are the pitfalls of being a creator that nobody ever tells you?
How certain negative comments can leave permanent scars.
19. What are the most important habits/skills to develop as a creator?
Instead of 'dance like no one is watching', it's 'create as if someone will one day be paying'.
(Editor’s note: This. Is. Brilliant.)
20. Do you have a working philosophy?
It's scribbled on my white board! JUST DO THE DAMN THING.
You can become a member of Maude's Book Club and follow Maude on Instagram, TikTok or join her on Discord.
Very interesting read Kris. As someone who considers themselves "non-creative", do you think it's possible to develop creativity over time? If so, how would one get started?