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Writing new definitions

–The Reading

The Fireside Follies reading at Brooklyn Fire Proof was a success: I decided to read the NYT essay, which was great, because I’d originally written it to be read aloud. People laughed where they were supposed to laugh. Bushwick Daily covered the event, and posted photos, here.

–Collaborations continue.

No matter what I write, visually my thoughts come out of the printer looking the same: black text on white pages. Seeing new pages is always comforting, to print something is to complete one more step in the writing process–first draft, finished work, whatever. But with the move across the country, everything I was looking at was new, so I wanted to look at things in a new way, too. So while I continue to write essays that tell deeply personal stories, I’m also having a lot of fun doing other things creatively, too. In the next month or so I’m playing with making a zine, starting a new blog, and possibly even a piece of art. WIth words, of course.

–The Memoir.

Melissa Febos was one of the readers at the Fireside Follies reading; she read an excerpt from her memoir, Whip Smart. It’s an amazing book, her writing has really helped me think about the story I want to tell, even though my story is very different. So, I’m still structuring the book, and it’s a slow process. An essay featuring some of the material is close to being ready. I’ve got some free time coming up around the holidays, and I have a lot of catching up to do.

–The Beast

Katarina, who created the blog Bushwick Daily just this year, asked me to be part of her photo essay series, and Quel Beast offered to style it. She was thinking minimal, low-key, sort of serious–maybe even black and white. He was thinking–outrageous, colorful, over-the top. It’s funny that their visions were so different, and ultimately she got shots of both. I don’t think it would have worked as well, if it had been only one or the other. Life is serious, and ridiculous. At least, my life is. Here’s the story

–As always, please email me feedback or ask me to read your work or work with you. When I have time, I love working with and for other people.

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A lot going on…

New writing
I’m working on a couple of short profiles of artists I like. It’s fun to ask people what they do and why they do it. I have three new essays nearly finished. (So close!) I’m happy with their progress.

Other stuff
Late in August I received a great belated birthday present. An author and human I admire sent an email to let me know he loved my recent essay. Loved! He also said, “Stay on the brave path.” Wise words for anyone.

New York bursts with the harvest of culture in September. In one week’s time I’m hoping to attend LitcrawlNYC events, a reading by a favorite writing teacher, the Brooklyn Book Festival, a Susan Shapiro-hosted event, and at least a dozen gallery openings (first fall art season).
I’m looking forward to a couple of ongoing volunteer opportunities. These will support my goal to get out of the house, and help me put down roots in my new city.
I’m reading great words, and I’m spending far more time than I used to connecting with writers and artists to discuss and share our works in progress. I’d like to lead a regular writing workshop in the future, but for now, the informal connections are helping me stay focused.
New opportunities to collaborate, to edit, to assist continue to arise spontaneously, and I welcome these. As time allows I’m happy to read others’ work and offer my feedback. I’m not sure when my own reading may be, hopefully I’ll have news on that soon.
Writers love feedback. If you have any, please send it along. Thank you for your interest.

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A great time to be writing in New York

Some great things have been happening since “The Accidental Older Woman” appeared in Modern Love. 
The New York Times chose my essay to be part of its Learning Network blog. The essay is compared with a poem selected by the Poetry Foundation as part of its Poetry Pairings project.  
I was invited by a fellow Third Ward member to read in a local reading series he curates, and I’m looking forward to participating next month. 
I’m writing a new essay. 
I am re-editing the so-called “Prince essay” and seeking the right home for it.
I am still open to more partners and collaborators and projects. 
And there’s a lot more coming up. It’s a great time to be writing in New York.

 

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What I’m up to

Thank you for your interest. Here’s some of what I’m up to:

Writing a memoir 
Writing and reading new essays
(No, really, I promise. There are a lot more stories coming up. Stay tuned.) 
Finding my way around the NYC literary community. (Where, when? Invite me, I’m new.) 
Looking for the little, quiet story inside the story
Available for co-writing, ghost-writing and editing collaborations 
Interested in meeting visual artists for play dates: people to write with, to write about, or to explore with; to create narrative using shape, color, and design, as well as language. (Co-conspirators, brainstormers and collaborators welcome.) 
Loving my new home; I wake up every morning with the sun when it floods my room’s very tall windows. And yes, I tend to oversleep on overcast days.

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