Called a freelancer today to see if she could proofread a graphic novel for me. I usually use e-mail to correspond with freelancers, but for some reason this morning (probably due to cool sunshine after big rain last night) was feeling a little gregarious, so used phone. And as I was describing job, silence from her. So [...]
Two Thursdays ago
I was nauseous all day. It would be my turn that night to introduce three writers at a reading, one of them V, my professor from grad school, and as with all events that I agree to attend or coordinate and then come to dread when the date nears, I waited till the last [...]
For days after the reading and panel discussion, she’s been shaping an imaginary speech, lengthening it at every traffic light, during lulls in her office, where somebody might, if they were not in such a hurry to pass by, see her at her desk staring at an untouched manuscript, murmuring to herself. She’s been imagining [...]
A week ago: At the last minute came another chance to do a reading of somebody else’s work. So: took it. Read about two pages of Ma Jian’s ”Where Are You Running To?” from the anthology of international fiction by Wordswithoutborders.org. And was satisfied at the end. Not with the reading itself—hadn’t had time to practice aloud, as had decided only [...]
On Friday, went to listen to several wonderful writers read from novel by dead, very rightly celebrated author. Friend who arranged reading had asked me to read alongside said wonderful writers. No way, no how, said I—not worthy, plus afraid of embarrassing self with unfamiliar Spanish words sprinkled throughout text. No matter how much practice beforehand, will inevitably [...]
From midnight to three a.m., got self ready for reading tonight. Printed out piece at least five times, rearranging sections into sensible order onto blank white wall with tape, and made sure to cover portion of wall with scuffle mark where television had once sat so fatly. Then read aloud from first page to second, [...]
A busy month coming up. Two proofreading projects have landed in my lap, with about three more soon on the way. My mother wants to speed her solution up when all I want to do is lay low. And now, just as my asthma has faded and my nose has stopped dripping, I’m feeling the start of another cold [...]
Dear Felicia,
Last night, I forgot about the chilly world for fifteen minutes. You stood up there like a goddess in the café, reading scenes that became more and more harrowing, your voice strong and at the same time tender, vulnerable. Scenes. Such a strange word for real life, for memoir—but apt, too, and succinct at [...]
A loud solitude occurs at one o'clock in the morning.
E-mail me: loudsolitude (at) gmail (dot) com.
Surprise me: Amazon wish list.
