Beautiful post Shelley. Connection is what has stayed at the top of my values list for over a decade - so appreciated reading your words about it and more.
The stories behind your chosen photos are powerful. I, too, love the ones you've chosen. And I always love your book club selfies - they share great joy!
I love the spirit and connection of this. Recently I read a new story from an anthology at a bookstore in Pomona. An audience member approached me afterwards and said he heard me read two years ago in Wrightwood. And he liked both readings. Which made me very happy and the long drive worthwhile.
I'm not surprised he liked what he heard both times. But still, a writer does not always hear herself that the listener likes it. So yay on him for telling you and yay on you for being there.
I find this piece so moving--the bravery of Pelicot, the joy of Liu, Agnes and the audience reaching for love--it's very inspiring how you're using these pictures to find another way through these stressful times
Really enjoyed this month's newsletter. I can identify with the difficulty in writing with sensitivity and heart, while the outside world is filled with violence and anger. It's hard to switch it on and off between writing letters and carrying signs! Thank you for the inspiration.
Love love this. Slightly unhinged friend over here - LOL. I look out at the world in the same horror, but writing saves me when I immerse in research or a story. When I discover how history repeats itself. See you in Beverly!
Right! It's a gift to be able to climb down into the research and emerge with something that helps me right now, in the present. It is weirdly healing. So glad we'll be paneling together in Massachusetts.
You're such a joy Shelley. I sincerely appreciate and love you. Shut lights on those beautiful Olympic women and my oh my! I’d love to be a part of the lovely women’s meeting someday.
It feels so much like community here and reading all of this gives me so much hope and light and that’s a rare thing to find in an essay. You’re such an amazing woman and it’s such a pleasure meeting you. I have this issue I’m hosting this Saturday about 50 words of self praise.
if you would kindly send a DM, I would love to share and have you with us.
"Not soft - open"... beautiful words. Thanks for them today ❤️
I guess vulnerability is the word I was circling. It's dangerous to be vulnerable. But scarcely anything comes to us unless we risk it.
Vulnerability whispered to me as I read your post. Loved your photo.
Preach!
Shelley, thank you for your beautiful, open-handed, open-hearted words. Very, very needed right now (by me and, I suspect, by most people).
Thank you Irena. I am so eager for your new book!
As always, I love the way you pull us into your thought process and deliver a lesson in positive thinking!
I definitely don’t want to imply it’s 100 percent positive thinking round here—it’s not!
Tears, smiles, and a sense of calm for me here in Ireland while reading this, Shelley. Go raibh maith agat.
Well that was a lovely phrase for me to look up!
You keep doing what you do you make a difference…thank you ❤️🩹
Thank you Lissa. It is nice to hear.
Beautiful post Shelley. Connection is what has stayed at the top of my values list for over a decade - so appreciated reading your words about it and more.
Thank you Deb. As you know, sometimes it is hard to keep connecting. The "return on investment" may not look so great. But it does feel great.
Wow girlfriend. A fantastic manifesto. I’m nodding, encouraged. Thank you!
Thanks Amanda. It is amazing how it can help to tap into someone else's joy. At least sometimes:)
The stories behind your chosen photos are powerful. I, too, love the ones you've chosen. And I always love your book club selfies - they share great joy!
The joy often comes as a bit of a surprise!
“Shame could change sides” — I love that!!!!!!!
Quite often the shame NEEDS to change sides!
I love the spirit and connection of this. Recently I read a new story from an anthology at a bookstore in Pomona. An audience member approached me afterwards and said he heard me read two years ago in Wrightwood. And he liked both readings. Which made me very happy and the long drive worthwhile.
I'm not surprised he liked what he heard both times. But still, a writer does not always hear herself that the listener likes it. So yay on him for telling you and yay on you for being there.
I do the same. Usually I’m wondering if my car might have been towed or how dark it is. 😊
So funny. I’m usually thinking, I don’t want to bother them.
That is so true. So many times after I read no one says anything.
You got me thinking—so often I slink away without registering my approval. Why?
I find this piece so moving--the bravery of Pelicot, the joy of Liu, Agnes and the audience reaching for love--it's very inspiring how you're using these pictures to find another way through these stressful times
Thank you Randall. Recently there have been such inspiring images creeping up in my timeline, just exactly when I need them.
I love your unginged smiley photos—so distant from the tentative look of the “I want to write books writer.”
Thank you Anita. You have a history of tolerance related to my unhingedness.
🤣
Really enjoyed this month's newsletter. I can identify with the difficulty in writing with sensitivity and heart, while the outside world is filled with violence and anger. It's hard to switch it on and off between writing letters and carrying signs! Thank you for the inspiration.
So glad it worked for you, too. Write on:)
You do have such an open heart.
And so do you. And your art.
Love love this. Slightly unhinged friend over here - LOL. I look out at the world in the same horror, but writing saves me when I immerse in research or a story. When I discover how history repeats itself. See you in Beverly!
Right! It's a gift to be able to climb down into the research and emerge with something that helps me right now, in the present. It is weirdly healing. So glad we'll be paneling together in Massachusetts.
You're such a joy Shelley. I sincerely appreciate and love you. Shut lights on those beautiful Olympic women and my oh my! I’d love to be a part of the lovely women’s meeting someday.
It feels so much like community here and reading all of this gives me so much hope and light and that’s a rare thing to find in an essay. You’re such an amazing woman and it’s such a pleasure meeting you. I have this issue I’m hosting this Saturday about 50 words of self praise.
if you would kindly send a DM, I would love to share and have you with us.