The Thaw
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In Iowa, a sign of the seasons was the giant pile of snow in the Hy-Vee parking lot, which grew bigger as the winter went on, twice my height and spanning several parking spots. When spring came, the mountain began to melt, but it took months to fully dissolve its tight, cold core.
The thaw is here. The ground is softening. Things that have been locked tight are starting to loosen. A few weeks ago, I began having random ideas about the novel I haven’t touched in a year. While brushing my teeth or examining a daffodil, thought bubbles form above my head. What does she realize when X happens? What if I start a new part after the last scene I wrote? I have a simple name for this spontaneous appearance of writing-related thoughts: I call it writing.
Emboldened by vaccinations, we are slowly emerging from our cocoons, trying out once again what it means to be in the world. One of my bad habits is rushing, which perhaps is why this song and its above lyric have been running through my mind. I’d like to rip the Band-Aid off, to hurtle forward and put the snow mountain behind me. But it takes time to reopen a thing that has been so solidly closed. I’m not sure exactly when I’ll crack open my novel, but I’ve learned to trust the timing—the moment will come. Till then, I just have to be patient, wait a little longer for what I know is already on its way.
J.
Last call for Storytelling, which starts Tuesday, April 13th through the Carrboro ArtsCenter. This class will be in-person and outdoors, giving us a chance to safely share our stories. I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to interact with students face to face, to hear stories and voices that are new to me, to facilitate new friendships and reconnection with ourselves. If you’re itching for some novelty, join me. I can say with confidence it’ll be more fun than anything you’ve done in the last year.
Creative Writing for Teens
This summer, I will be teaching two week-long creative writing classes for teens through the Durham Arts Council, one in-person (July 12-16), one virtual (June 21-25). Perfect for any teen who wants to spend a week writing their brains out and having a good time on the page!
Content roundup
I miss the world of art. I miss museums and movie theaters and concerts. I am tired of experiencing art alone, of listening to audiobooks through headphones, reading books alone, watching movies with my husband and the cats. But some art is better than no art, and I have come across some genuinely good pieces lately.
Films: Promising Young Woman and Moxie (content warning for both: sexual assault). I’m also really glad I’ll get to see some Oscar Shorts soon.
Books: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (novel); How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones (memoir); Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Alison (craft book on fiction writing). I also enjoyed a piece in The Sun called Nesting by Ira Sukrungruang.
Podcasts: Wheels Off talks to artists about their creative process. The Julia Cameron and Maggie Smith episodes are sheer delights.
Blog: Tony pointed me toward former publishing executive Jess Brallier’s blog. This round up of quotes about writing from famous authors hit the nail on the head.
To Go Poems
There is no doubt that as we exit our homes and re-enter the world, we will find many things changed, including our bodies. In honor of a recent study that suggests the pandemic and stay at home orders led Americans to gain an average of 1.5 pounds per month, I offer you some poems about weight.
The Weight by Linda Gregg
The Weight of Sweetness by Li-Young Lee
homage to my hips by Lucille Clifton
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