Words Shape Lives

Years ago, I read a profile about a man, in an impoverished part of the world which could be anywhere, who owned a shovel. Because he had a shovel, he became the guy to call, in his community, when anything needed digging: Post holes, drainage ditches, shallow graves, deep graves, garbage pits, dirt-floor basements. If anybody was too frail, too tired, too busy or too rich to dig their own hole, he got the job. His life was shaped by poverty in a poor place, and by owning one item of use: a shovel.

Hey there! Two people have recently let me know that they would prefer a smaller workshop size. I understand. Here it is! Now is your chance to jump in. The beauty of a writing workshop being kept on the smaller side (4-5, instead of 8-9 or more) is that there’s more time to look at the work of each participant, more nights. It’s often possible to bring in work weekly, rather than every other week, for those who would like extra time, and to take a more leisurely approach to discussion.

I so appreciate those of you who asked about my recent trip! I flew to Palm Springs, rented a car, drove south through the city, out past the edge of the Mojave Desert, into the Sonoran Desert, near the Coachella Valley, past a town named Mecca, into the middle of what some might call nowhere, and others call home. It’s a place on this planet with a beauty all its own. The remains of the former resort town, Bombay Beach looked deserted, as I rolled in.

I’m getting ready to head over to the Bombay Beach Literary Festival. I look forward to it! Here’s an article, for more information: Their aims seem lovely. As novelist/memoirist, Gina Frangello, says, Perfect! If you know me, you know that approach aligns with my aims. Sunday was a blast, talking with those of you who joined the Zoom craft talk on considering audience. Thank you, for being there! Good ideas, good insights and a good time! I appreciate you.

Click on the photo, it’ll take you to Instagram, small piece of writing under the images…parts I & II…cool photos by Brent Hirak, clothing by Rosalee Rester, thank you to the site…it’s been fun! Sharing it. xo

When I host a mixer, I never know who will arrive—and I haven’t been disappointed yet. You all shine! You don’t let me down! Thank you to those of you who made it, and cheers to those of you who live farther away—and some who live far away and still made it to this event! I appreciate you all. Beautiful. Quick note: I’m getting ready to head down to Bombay Beach, for the Literary Festival…I’m on the schedule/off/will be back on…5:00, the 31st, reading with T. Greenwood & Stacy Bierlein.

Later today, I’ll be sending out a few (optional) handouts for those who have signed up for the craft discussion around questions of audience. The conversation will be this coming Sunday, 3/26, via Zoom. Join us? Consider Audience, Shape Your Delivery | monicadrake

Trigger warning: Blood…gore. Trigger warning: Dental! Trigger warning: Medical implements… Trigger warning: … Really, I’m using this list of possible warnings to create a little space on the page before an image, a pause… Not here to impose gore on the unwilling! It’s okay to…back out now…! :) We always carry along questions of audience, in our mind and hearts…Who will laugh along? Who will shake their head?

Hello! I look forward to talking, with those of you who have signed up, about the role of audience in writing. Writing can inspire work, shape work, making the process more natural, set the tone, define the character… March 26th, in the morning, PST! Consider Audience, Shape Your Delivery | monicadrake I’m going to send out a few handouts—because, well…with twenty-five years of experience as a college prof, I love offering excerpts and examples, things that I think about, content worth sharing.

Big shout-out of thanks to those of you who pre-ordered! I will be putting these in the mail very soon. This is the first time I’ve put together a small book. I couldn’t have done it without the help of Jen Wick (layout) and Brent Hirak (photographer). Huge thanks! And thank you to Stephen Graham Jones, for the words of support on the back! :) There’s something so nice about holding printed work in hand, a finished project, a little thing. I love how it turned out, and hope others do, too.