take your heart in your two hands

"The main thing is this—when you get up in the morning you must take your heart in your two hands. You must do this every morning.... Say anything, but be respectful. Say—maybe say, Heart, little heart, beat softly but never forget your job, the blood. You can whisper also, Remember, remember." This gorgeous bit is from Grace Paley’s "My Father Addresses Me on the Facts of Old Age.” I need this reminder often. Maybe you do, too.

My birthday was Friday—53!—and it was a very good one. You all helped me crush my Amazon review goal (thank you so much!!), and I got to see my kids and grandkids, plus a long hike on a rainy morning. Bliss.

Today’s news is simple: first, we’ve got two spots remaining for Writing in the Dark VI, the workshop guaranteed to get you to the page and producing innovative new material no matter how hard that has been for you lately. This workshop is rigorous and fun, lively and supportive, inventive and intense, encouraging and inspiring. If you’ve had trouble starting, re-starting, or maintaining your writing practice this past year, this is the workshop for you. It’s craft-based and aims high but is not intimidating—quite the contrary. Join us if you can. Starts Wednesday!

Also, a truly brilliant writing mentor of mine was once asked what he wanted most from a piece of writing. He said, “to be devastated.” Me, too. And I’ll be talking about what that means, to be devastated by a piece of writing, why one would want that, and how to achieve it on the page, with the incomparable Sue William Silverman tonight at 6 Central. Hosted virtually by Madison’s iconic feminist bookstore, A Room of One’s Own. Free! Just register here.

That’s it for now. Lots of love to you all, and thank you for helping me reach another book launch goal. I am more grateful than you can imagine!!

Warmly,

Jeannine