I don’t write here as often as I think about writing here and sometimes that’s because I get in my own way. I want to make things perfect and tidy. Life is not perfect and tidy. The creative line is a jagged and meandering one.
Since I last checked in, I’ve been working on another draft of what I hope will turn out to be my second memoir. The story has shifted and deepened and sometimes feels like a knot I’m constantly attempting to untie, but it’s getting closer — at the very least I’ve learned something in writing it.
Two poets have recently been keeping me company: Tracy Rice Weber, in her stellar collection, “Tools and Ornaments,” and Carla Rachel Sameth in the divine “Secondary Inspections.” Both write with a balance of humor and heart and wisdom and have an unerring ability to write about personal experiences in such an expansive way that I, as a reader, couldn’t help but feel that my own experience was being seen and heard. We’re all in this together. (Thank heavens.)
Catch Tracy Rice Weber in conversation with the lovely poet, Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and artist, Christi Harris here. Art and Poetry!!
I took a break from writing and headed down to the Broad with my beloved pals, Ann Faison, Elizabeth Saveri and Mary Ore. All three are brilliant writers and artists and I’m so grateful always for their friendship and community. Check out Ann’s amazing podcast, “Are We There Yet.” It’s a deep dive into adolescent grief and I can’t say enough about how much these conversations have nudged me to think, feel and sort out some of my own feelings. You can read her writing here. Elizabeth Saveri paints on plastic bread ties and tiny squares of wood. She has documented all the trees in her neighborhood and many of the stones. Check out her Instagram.
`A few Saturdays ago, my dear husband and I headed downtown for a painting procession and poetry reading. We walked from MOCA to the Geffen Contemporary and everyone took turns carrying the paintings by Senon Williams. The magical Ari Salka read some poetry. A few days later, I visited their studio to see some work in progress. Always incredibly inspiring!
I’ve been teaching an online class for Story Circle Network and it’s been super fun to dig into creative non-fiction with some wonderful writers. We talked about how a story finds us and played with some ways to keep our narrative alive and moving on the page.
I saw both Laurie Anderson and Charo in concert. These powerhouse women reminded me that there’s no reason to stop making things and nothing to stop us from supporting each other.
The sky today is gray and blue and the clouds roll back and forth across the sun. It was raining this morning. Hailing this afternoon. Rainbows seem extremely possible. You never know.
When I was in college, my brother and I got together and gave my dad a Walkman for Christmas. For his birthday the following year, I gave him cassettes of Laurie Anderson’s “Mister Heartbreak” and “Big Science.” He wrote me a thank you note. (And reminded me not to forget I owed my brother money!)
Thank you, Dad.
Nice to catch up here, Tanya. So many wonderful links to check into all shared in a voice that never fails to catch me and make me smile.
Love this! Thanks for sharing the art and inspiration and the reminder that it's always messy and it's never ending and beautiful.