Dear Writers, Half a dozen times, I’ve had the great honor of studying in person with the great Ann Randolph, an incredibly talented performer and brilliant teacher. I first went to Ann when I was working on my mother-daughter story and thought (erroneously) that it should be a play. I was leafing through the Esalen catalogue, when I came across her workshop, From the Page to the Stage. On a whim, I signed up and what I experienced there was far more exciting than I could have imagined. Ann put all of us right on the edge of comfort zone—and then pushed a little further. The result was electric, creative, raw and fun. So I kept going back to study with Ann again and again. Now Ann, like me, has made the transition to online teaching and she’s got a great new offering that I wanted to ... [Continue Reading]
Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #108
In the wake of the murders in Atlanta this week, I wanted to send out some resources and information that illuminates the wave of anti-Asian violence taking place in the US—in the time of Covid, last week and historically. Here’s some resources/info about anti-Asian violence, now, in the time of pandemic and historically in the US: A short interview with representative Judy Chu of California about why this is a hate crime and not just about the shooter’s sex addiction (7 minutes): Click here to access this resource. For a brief historical perspective that ties to current violence - PBS NewsHour, Mar ... [Continue Reading]
Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #107
ARE YOU READY TO RE-EMERGE FROM YOUR COVID BUBBLE? I can so relate to this cartoon. In fact, yesterday, I wrote a piece about my Covid agoraphobia. As I watch people around me get vaccinated and start to move through the world differently, travel, see their kids and grandkids and visit together inside homes, I feel some anxiety arising. I'm 64 and 2/3 years old--I don't fit into any of the categories to get vaccinated so I am waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Eager to get vaccinated as I watch everyone around me get the shot. I don't want to try to jump queue (I am a teacher for instance, but not in a classroom), but it's hard to wait. I've gotten on every list I hear about...but there just isn't enough vaccine yet. And yet I'm also anxious about getting vaccinated. I'm not ... [Continue Reading]
Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #106
Laura's Wednesday Morning Writing Practice Class Has a Few Rare Openings Available...
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Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #105
Dear Writers, You may have noticed these past few weeks that my biweekly pandemic resources haven’t been arriving in your inbox each Monday and Friday the way they were before. I produced more than a hundred editions of these resources, dealing with self-care, politics, racism in America, social justice, and writing, but a new arrival in our family, seven-week-old Luna, a yellow lab pup, has taken over our lives. The time I used to have to listen to podcasts, scour the Internet for resources, read articles, go on social media, and read email has been sharply curtailed. Instead, Karyn and I have been trying to teach our new family member how to pee outdoors, why she shouldn’t bite us, and what a leash is for. We love her, but as everyone told us, having a puppy is just like having ... [Continue Reading]
Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #104
Coronavirus & the Pandemic Response How COVID-19 “Passports” May Soon Be Changing How We Live and What We’re Allowed to Do COVID-19 ‘immunity certificates’ could restore our lives — or divide us. Proof of vaccination is gaining popularity in some business sectors and governments. From the San Jose Mercury News. Click here to access this resource. Coronavirus: Leadership During Crisis with Anthony S. Fauci Anthony S. Fauci, MD, is chief medical adviser on COVID-19 to President Biden, and has served under seven U.S. presidents. As director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), ... [Continue Reading]
Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #103
Coronavirus & the Pandemic Response What If You Never Get Better From Covid-19? - The New York Times Some patients could be living with the aftereffects for years to come. Recent research into another persistent, mysterious disease might help us understand how to treat them. For any long haulers out there. From the New York Times. Thanks to Karen Zelin for the heads up. Click here to access this resource. Election and Politics The Great Divide Two friends, one of whom is relieved Biden is President, and the other who believes the election is stolen—try to keep up civil conversation: [Continue Reading]
Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #102
I’M SPEAKING AT A FREE RECONCILIATION SUMMIT Some of you may or may not know this about me, but I’ve been fascinated with the topic of reconciliation for years. My mother and I were estranged for years and ultimately made peace with each other. That is the subject of my memoir, Wholehearted, and was the subject of my 2000 book, I Thought We’d Never Speak Again: The Road from Estrangement to Reconciliation. I’m fascinated by what keeps people apart and what makes it possible for them to make peace with each other--or at least inside themselves. I’ll be a speaker at a terrific free event, hosted by Yasmin Kerkez, at the end of this month, January 26-28: Moving Beyond Family Struggles Summit. I’m one of a number of excellent speakers providing myriad free resources helpful for anyone ... [Continue Reading]
Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #101
Politics and Writing Biden chooses Amanda Gorman as youngest known inaugural poet Tomorrow’s Inaugural Poet is a Young Black Female Writer Award-winning Black female writer Amanda Gorman, 22, is set to become the youngest inaugural poet in memory when she recites her work at President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration Wednesday. Thanks to Nancy Hofmann for the heads up. Read in The Hill: Click here to access this resource. Social Justice Social Justice and America’s Habit of Denial Denial Is the Heartbeat of America. All of what we saw at the U.S. Capitol is part of America. But what’s also part of America is denying all of what is part of America. Actually, this denial is the ... [Continue Reading]
Helpful Resources in a Time of Uncertainty #100
I can't believe this is the hundredth set of resources I've sent out during this pandemic. Phew. And we're still in the thick of it--to say the least. I'm thankful for my routines, for my classes and the oases they provide, for my students and their passionate honesty, for nature and my ability to walk and swim. To move forward with my own goals--in whatever small ways I can control things (or try to!). But I'm also exhausted--as is almost everyone I talk to. And here's why: Below, I remind you about the reconciliation summit I'll be part of at the end of this month. And then I move on to today's resources. You'll see that I've included several of the best things I've read (or listened to) in the aftermath of the January 6th insurgency at the capital. Several of the pieces ... [Continue Reading]
