Sandy’s away for the next several weeks, and when I’m not working on paid writing/presenting gigs, I’ll be deep into revision of a portrait of Ann Lipow, a librarian pioneer. My goal is to pull the essay from where it is — ordinary stuff, clomping along in ugly brogans — toward creative nonfiction: lithe, on point, and silver-quick. (Notice I said “goal” and “toward,” so that when it’s obvious the essay still needs more work — the saddle-shoe stage, I guess — I won’t devolve into a puddle of self-loathing.)
My local writing buddy (the two of us comprise the Greater Leon County Literary Writing Circle) is taking off for Tin House, manuscript in tow, so I have both a lull and an obvious deadline. It’s my second serious revision since graduating last fall, aside from a fair amount of writing done for an essay, “California Mon Amour,” a memory of California I tackle now and then.
But on Sunday nights I will set down my quill and lean back to enjoy the live production of…
I’m sorry I missed the debut, though delighted I have podcasts to download and enjoy whilst mincing the tarragon today.
Meanwhile, how, how, how did I miss this? Surely I’d have been at least modestly competitive for the “older yet emerging lesbian essayist formerly of large urban areas and now living in the Southeast” category. Admittedly, I probably could have read about it in Lambda Book Report… it is on my list of things I will treat myself to in better times, a list with very few clothes but many books and magazines and a handful of twinkly gizmos.ĆĀ Anyway, I’ll put it on my alert list for 2008 and hope it is an annual event.
Posted on this day, other years:
K.G.,
Thank you so much for the shout & for tuning in. Hope you enjoy the shows!
Cheers, Felicia
Good luck with your essay. I love creative nonfiction. I think it’s one of the highest forms of writing. I was accepted to Tin House but could not afford it. Your mention of your friend going has me feeling jealous and sulky. But I only write poetry. Who wants to read a poetry manuscript anyway? Certainly editors/publishers are not chomping at the bit to do so. š
The interview with Karen Abbott, author of “Sin in the Second City,” was terrific! Felicia, you have a great interviewing voice and style, and you did your legwork before the story. I’m hooked (uh… no pun intended)!
Dana, I’m jealous of my friend, too… that’s allowed. š I don’t begrudge her the experience… I just want one for myself.
Thanks! I absolutely loved her book and am only sorry that we couldn’t do a walking tour (we were going to be in Chicago around the same time to do a chat and video tour of the Levee district). It didn’t end up happening but I definitely want Karen back!
Cheers, Felicia