did your partner build you a castle?
+ ethical non-monogamy ++ a day long writing retreat, chez moi +++ paella my way
It takes a minute to bring this note to you every week. I love when readers upgrade subscriptions to paid. So, here’s a discount in case you’ve been on the fence.
hey-ho,
We went on a day trip to Spain, to Gala’s Castle, built for her by her husband, Salvador Dali! It’s wacky and magical, of course it is. There’s a throne and a push button telephone! (I love picturing his mustache getting in the way of the receiver!) A Cadillac in the carport, a view of the beautiful London Planetrees from the kitchen window, an easy chair and an easel, slim elephants in the garden, and (trust me) a giraffe guards her tomb.
What appealed to me most, besides, well, all of it, was their rules for his visits to her castle. It seems even the wife of Dali (especially the wife of Dali?) needs her space! Can you imagine being married to Dali? I mean, I for sure he was delightful and electric at times, but one might need a break, no?
“I gave her a mansion built on the remains of a 12th century castle…where she would reign like an absolute sovereign, right up to the point that I could visit only by hand-written invitation from her. I limited myself to the pleasure of decorating her ceilings so that when she raised her eyes, she would always find me in her sky.”
My much-adored husband and I have been attached at the hip nearly non-stop on this five week trip. If it was within my financial wheelhouse, I would absolutely give him a weird and wonderful weekend chateau, and yes, I would call first to see if I could visit. (Which is just a roundabout way of saying, I’m going to stay home! We all need our space, right?)
We’ve been getting on famously except for a brief disagreement over a croissant! Don’t ask. Ah, life! Ah, travels! What a thrill.
Upping your subscription to paid is a mere 1.25 a week, far less than a cup of coffee, and for that you get all the read.write.eat. goods in your inbox every Thursday, plus my affection!
This week I’ll match all new subscriptions with a donation to World Central Kitchen to help communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
So, hit the red button!
me: match the funds to those struggling with food and water security in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene
write:
Look at this will you? Write is up top today!
Three opportunities to write with me!
Writers’ Day Spa 3.0! Let me tell you, each time we’ve gathered everyone has gotten words on the page, made new writer pals, and sharpened their writing chops, And I have felt a song in my heart! If you live in Portland, and you want to spend a day writing at my house in your slippers, eat delicious food, hear two mini craft talks, and have an opportunity to share your work, LMK asap. This is filling up! Shoot me a note.
Don’t be sad if you don’t live in Portland and can’t participate in the Writers’ Day Spa, because I’ve had an opening in my Autumn Essay Writing Class.
ONLY ONE SEAT/Autumn Essay Writing Intensive:
We will write four essays in five weeks. Participants will have the opportunity to respond to prompts based upon sample essays we’ve read, or to follow their own curiosity. Everyone will read a couple essays aloud and receive on-the-spot feedback. Each participant will also have the chance for a longer workshop of one essay draft, plus the opportunity to send me a revised essay when our class is complete for further editorial suggestions. We’ll also spend some time talking about where to submit your work.
Let’s be joyful warriors and write essays!
write 4 short essays (1k - 1.5k words)
read your work aloud to peers 2x for on-the-spot discussions,
submit an essay for longer workshop
submit to me, post workshop, a revised essay for my deeper editorial suggestions
read and discuss great sample essays
October 23 - November 20
Wednesday afternoons 5:00 - 7:30p pacific time on Zoom
$375.00
8 students max (only one spot left)
*** I have 2 spots in my weekly workshop available right now. Life happens, participant’s schedules change, they get new jobs in distant countries with pesky time zone shifts. If you’re looking for a weekly group of smart writers who are excellent readers and offer A+ platinum critiques, who are rigorous and committed to becoming better writers, and completing their projects, then this group is for you. We meet on Tuesday mornings, over zoom, from 9:30 - 11:30 pacific time. It’s very rare that I have openings in this workshop, so if it sounds like your jam, please let me know.
prompt:
I was reading the start of Lorrie Moore’s novella, WHO WILL RUN THE FROG HOSPITAL, and I fell in love with this very lengthy sentence.
“Though there are times, even recently, in the small city where we live, when I’ve left my husband for a late walk, the moon out hanging upside down like some garish, show offy bird, like some fantastical mistake—what life of offices and dull tasks could have a moon in it flooding the sky and streets, without its seeming preposterous—and in my walks, toward the silent corners, the cold mulch smells, the treetops suddenly waving in a wind, I’ve felt an old wildness again.”
Oh my gosh! I am lulled by this sentence. I love the phrase, “when I’ve left my husband for a late walk.” I mean, normally one simply goes on a walk, we don’t “leave,” and of course the fact that it’s a late walk let’s us know this narrator is out late at night, roaming the streets, yearning for wildness under a garish moon.
In the world of shrinking attention spans, I offer this antidote: the ten minute sentence. Why is it a great prompt? Because it makes you stay in the moment of one thought, one expanded sentence. Who knows where you will land? As you write, you don’t get the rest, the diversion of a period to let you move away from the moment. Please, do give it a try, and discover the surprising place you might land.
For your 10 minute sentence, if you don’t have a beginning in mind already, perhaps begin with the phrase:
I'm sorry I lied,
When she opened the door
I hate when people
Big fun, right?
read:
I am usually a serial monogamist when it comes to my reading life, but this month I’m practicing ethical non-monogamy.
Currently reading:
ANGEL OF ROME, by Jess Walter. My husband stole the book away from me before I could finish. We both love it. An amazing thing, all the men in the book are menschy. They aren’t perfect, and often start out with a troubling characteristic, but they just shine!
THE INTERESTINGS, by Meg Wolitzer, which I’m deeply enjoying. But, I set it aside briefly to pick up WHO WILL RUN THE FROG HOSPITAL, by Lorrie Moore, as I wanted to have something new to talk with you about. It is such a joy! Finally, I’m listening to HELP WANTED, by Adele Waldman, in preparation for our upcoming r.w.e. book group. All of it is so enjoyable! I feel I need a few more weeks of travel and reading just to clean up my nightstand.
And, waiting in the wings, THE WIFE, by Meg Wolitzer. I’ve seen the excellent film with Glen Close’s elastic and revealing face! But I want the sharp, acerbic interiority of the novel. Plus, the new Elizabeth Stroud, TELL ME EVERYTHING, which got a terrific review in the New York Times.
Check my read.write.eat. Bookshop Store, where you will find many of the books I've recommended in the newsletter. Buying books from my shop is a way you can be a friend to the newsletter.
The r.w.e. book group is a perk for paid subscribers and let me tell you we are a lively bunch!
In October we’ll be discussing HELP WANTED, by Adelle Waldman. The flap copy touts the novel this way: “Waldman brings her unparalleled wit and astute social observation to the world of modern, low-wage work. A humane and darkly comic workplace caper that shines a light on the odds low-wage workers are up against in today's economy, Help Wanted is a funny, moving tale of ordinary people trying to make a living.”
Go ahead, upgrade to paid and claim your spot. I hope to get to know you better!
eat:
You had me at sparkling sea!
We spent the day in Cadaqués, Spain. Sun, friends, gelato, the sea, and paella.
I hope you don’t think less of me for bragging, but my paella is better. I’ve started a new tradition of paella on Christmas Eve, and it’s damn delicious. Even thinking about it now gives me a small thrill!
Here you go:
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1½ pounds)
Salt and black pepper
2t dried oregano