August 6, 2024 is the pub date for my next book of essays. Tentatively titled, Caregiver Confidential: True Confessions of an Ambivalent Caregiver (titles can change sometimes), it is a collection of essays I wrote while caring for my dad in our home. Some of them are funny, some are sentimental, some might seem a little…er…dark. But all of them are true and they recount what my experience was during this time. A year seems a long time to wait to publish a book, but there’s a lot to do—including adding another 4,000 words or so! I’m back with She Writes Press—thank goodness—a book like this needs a publisher with heart and integrity and SWP has both—and more. So—stick around and I’ll let you know as soon as I do about updates, cover reveals and if I get to keep my title! (I kind of like it—what do you think?)
Writing classes & groups at Writual
I took a little break last month and have yet to plan any classes for this month either. I’ll be honest, no one is breaking my door down to sign up for them! Is it because I’m not offering what you need? Is it because summer is a bad time for classes? Is there something you’d like to see or a better time? Let me know. Meanwhile, as evidence for why I keep doing this—offering classes, facilitating writing groups, holding retreats (more on that below!)—here is a sample from a recent writing group prompt. I just love what comes out of the writers who attend my workshops and classes. It’s my addiction. As long as people show up, I’m going to hold the classes. I mean…read this! One little 10-minute writing prompt brought out this incredible mini-journey through this writer’s mind. Fascinating!
Prompt: What’s 1 thing about your writing?
Only one? C’mon now. Okay, okay, this prompt. Concentrate. Boil it down. Condense it. Fold it into an origami crane and let it float upstream. Watch it wistfully as it dodges past rocks and spins in the eddies. Eddies? What a word that is. My youngest cousin’s name is Eddy. When he was very little, he could be easily bribed with ice cream. I remember when he was getting toilet trained. His Mom, my Aunt Rosemary, motivated him with chocolate ice cream from Rice’s Ice Cream Parlor up the street. Now Eddy is, of all things, an editor. He is the rather important editor of the University of Vermont Medical Journal. He collects antique typewriters. At one time typewriters were used for, you know, writing.
So, there’s one thing in there, somewhere. I hid it among all the other things.
~ Trudy Swenson
A Day of Her Own - Women’s Writing Retreat
Finally! An in-person writing opportunity! Writers know how important it is to protect their writing time. It’s not always easy. A Day of Her Own Women’s Writing Retreat will be an opportunity to escape everyday demands and distractions and invest in individual creativity and include time to converse with other writers and share work. Bring your latest project and renew your writing commitment at this day-long sabbatical.
For more information or to register, click here.
Please contact me with any questions!
Other Writers, Other Books
I mentioned this writer once before, but I’m going to shout her out again. In her latest newsletter, she wrote a little bit about how she became a writer and was asked the question: What kind of writer are you? Not if you are a writer, but what kind. I liked that phrasing because it underscores what I believe about writing and that is that everyone is a writer. That question assumes one is and then asks what kind. I like that in a question.
So, if you like food and travel—and writing—then Carole Bumpus is another She Writes Press author you should get to know. Carole has written a number of books that take the reader through the French and Italian countryside, meeting people, tasting delectable meals and learning about the culture of every town she visits with her intrepid fellow traveler, husband Winston. You can read more about her here and sign up to get her monthly newsletter. The links to her books are below or on her website:
Savoring the Olde Ways series -
* Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table (Book One)
* Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table (Book Two)
* September to Remember: Searching for Culinary Pleasures at the Italian Table (Book Three)
Fast Fallen Women - 3rd in the Fast Women Series edited by Gina Barreca - Available September 5th!
I’m sure I’ve mentioned this book…because I have an essay in it. But every time I say that, I can hardly believe it because look who’s in it with me! Jane Smiley, Amy Tan, Caroline Leavitt, Darien Hsu Gee, BobbieAnn Mason, Irene Beckerman—the list goes on! There are 75 women writing essays about a time when they stumbled, but got right back up, thank you very much! So please go out and grab this book and support women writers everywhere! xo
Whew…that was a lot. I hope you stuck with me to the end, because I have some inspiration for you. Another member of one of my writing groups sent us this quote from the London Writers’ Salon:
“Self-doubt can be an ally. This is because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), "Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?" chances are you are.
The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.”
– Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
And if you’re visual, here’s a little more inspo . . . in case you need some extra. (Turn up the sound!)
Thanks for being here.
xo
Cindy
I love the photo of you and your so young looking Dad! What a treasure, and of course, brings back the memories to your next book. I look forward to reading it once its out. And thanks for the acknowledgement of my books. I so appreciate it!