Writing Group meetup tomorrow
Plus a roundup of recently published student writing, and 5 other things
I went away this week for a few days to stay at a family member’s temporarily empty home and per usual, my goal was to finish all the things. A day in, I allowed myself to admit that my high-minded goal might not get met, but that I was gaining clarity on several projects, making space in my mind, existing and living, fucking around and finding out, all important tasks! I wrote and thought a lot—and thought about just how much of the writing process is thinking, and challenging one’s own thoughts.
Which is to say, this was supposed to be a list with a bunch of fall events, including a seminar on the writing process I’m going to hold at the end of this month. But now I’m hopping on a plane home and can you believe it— I don’t have my entire fall calendar in order just yet!
I will send some reminders about September class offerings likely on Monday, along with the link to join our Writing Group live zoom— during which we can talk about our lofty fall writing goals and about finding ways to let the process stay a little unruly, disorderly, at the same time. If you know you want to join us for that, you can upgrade your subscription below (be sure to select Writing Club). You’ll also get to come to our virtual retreat in mid-November, and chat with us each week.
I usually like to send a big list of fall classes and such way ahead, but I’m going to try taking it month by month this season, and see how that goes.
For now, I’m excited to share some fantastic writing published recently by students/writers I have been working with!
Caitlin A. Smith, a pediatric surgeon, on her experience as a child-free woman at Huffpost:
With every unsolicited comment made to me over the years, the lens through which the world sees my life has been made increasingly clear: A woman’s worth is based solely on her willingness to reproduce — not on her intelligence, her work or her contributions to society. My ability to perform lifesaving surgery, my community, my family and all my other aspirations — seem to count for little when I answer “no” to having kids.
Rachael Rifkin on the rise on non-nuclear families at Good Housekeeping:
The self-reliant nuclear family has never been a sustainable model, and has historically not worked for certain groups, like BIPOC, low-income, queer found family and polyamorous folks. Yet the vision remains an ideal that our policies and laws are organized around, though that is starting to change with more states legally recognizing and protecting multi-parents and other diverse non-nuclear family structures.
It wasn't that long ago I was preparing to talk to my daughter about getting her period. Unlike my own mother, I wanted to be proactive. I put together feminine hygiene supplies and an age-appropriate book into a shoebox. I think I put some "fun" things in the box, too, like hair ties and lip gloss. That's something I would do because I either read about it in a magazine or a book.
When I sat on her bed with her, I told her that I wanted to give this to her because, unlike my mom, who didn't talk to me about such things, I wanted to talk to her. She responded by tossing the box on the ground, saying, "I wish you were more like your mom." It felt like she punched me.
Caitlin Gorman on the dance between autonomy and paralysis in motherhood at Pangyrus:
We are on borrowed time, he and I. I am resigned; my body is not entirely my own, won’t maybe ever be. Still, by the next morning, as I again attempt to extricate myself from the weight of him, the pins and needles will come, reminding me that, in some ways, I’m entirely alone.
Natalie Serianni on taste and grief at The New York Times:
On sabbatical in New York, I entered a small bagel shop and ordered a toasted sesame with plain cream cheese. “Nope,” the woman behind the counter said, writing my order on her pad, ripping it off and handing it down the line. “You’ll have the scallion cream cheese.” Stunned, I waited in silence until my altered bagel arrived. Each chewy, delicious, scallion-filled bite brought tears to my eyes. The woman’s honest care reminded me of my mother who died more than two decades ago. At 48, I still savor the feeling of her tough and tender love whenever it reappears.
For those who have asked: at the moment, I don’t have any availability to work with writers one-on-one, but if space opens up next month or later this fall, I will keep you posted.