Last month, I prepared this article for Kathryn Vercillo, author and curator of Create Me Free, a publication “Where Art Meets Psychology and Creativity Thrives.” Similar to a few of my dearest friends, Kathryn crochets as a form of therapy, using textile arts to untangle mental health. The article was well-received as being helpful to others who manage depression. 🙏
This month, I am journeying to Writing by Writers. I am taking Root Bound, the novel I’ve nudged into mostly being. The workshop is hosted by Pam Houston! In 2020, after I decided to get more serious writing fiction, Pam became my biggest author crush. (Caveat: I’m kind of a book slut and have several crushes now;). Her intensely personal and earthy memoir, Deep Creek, carried me through months of the pandemic. Cowboys Are My Weakness accompanied me on a post-pandemic beach vacation with my mom and sister. So much fun! I am honored to have such an amazing author and MFA professor to lay eyes on my work!
If it seems like I’m busy or a little out of touch, it’s because I am! I am continuing to edit for UXPA International as well as teaching yoga and mentoring student-teachers of yoga. I am also beta reading (a third time!) for NY Times Bestseller Boo Walker, as well as beta reading 4 manuscripts this month for my writing pod at Writing by Writers. I actually LOVE beta reading! 😎
Sometime this month or next, I will be revisiting Lullabies for Metal Beasts and deciding how to proceed with my next Magical Western Substack series. I love the idea of reproducing Lullabies, making a sequel including new tech(!), or crashing everything and starting anew with a story idea that came to me… like… last night in my sleep. A wander, a young man navigating America’s modern-day confusion, lands a job at a hot springs resort, and discovers a commune full of love… and secrets.