July Monthly Update
What I’m reading, what I’m working on, and where I've landed
Reading List
Kin by Tayari Jones
I have been a fan of Tayari Jones ever since I read An American Marriage and saw her speak at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon. The story has stayed with me, and I was thrilled when I saw her newest release. Specifically, this is what I wanted to get from it:
Friendship as a foundation: I’m writing a story about a lifelong friendship, and have struggled with friends being supportive of each other when their own wounds get in the way. I wanted to see how a brilliant writer tackles this, and I was not disappointed.
Southern setting: Some of my favorite stories are set in the South. You have the connection with nature, the interweaving of family and found family, and a hint of gothic moodiness. Also, now that I’m living in North Carolina, I wanted to immerse myself in the history and culture.
Favorite aspects of the book: the tenderness of the friendship, beautiful writing, heart-wrenching moments
Prompt: What stories stayed with you, long after you turned the last page? Why did they impact you so much? Alternatively, what have you been craving to read that you just have not found yet?
Manuscript Corner
Last month, I gave an update that I was firmly in research mode. I’ve made good progress in both the amount of reading that I’ve done as well as overcoming a signifiant personal hurdle. I wrote about my struggles with reading in this article, so if you relate to that, I suggest you check it out. Maybe there’s a kernel in there that you can apply to your own process.
Last week, I finished* reading The Berlin Wall by Frederick Taylor, and this week I am re-writing my notes so that the information sinks in. My next step will be to dive into more personal narratives such as Stasiland and Marzahn, Mon Amour to get the stories that don’t come across in a history text. That’s important to me because I’m not writing a political thriller—I’m writing about every day people living in a restrictive world.
Prompt: What was the silliest thing that you found yourself looking up, in service to your writing?
*Note: I’ll admit that “finished” means that I read the most relevant parts, which was about half. Instead of striving for perfection, I’m calling this good. I have to remind myself that this is not a dissertation!
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Life Update
We arrived to North Carolina! Last month, I gave an update that my family and I moved from New York down to the Raleigh area. Every morning, I’ve been greeted by the sun, the warm air, and the sweet scent of pine. It reminds me of staying in the high desert around Bend, Oregon when I was a kid, except much more humid, which my skin doesn’t hate.
One of the benefits of living in this area is the connection to nature, and I’ve been taking walks multiple times per week on the verdant greenways around the area. I’m fascinated by the differences in trees, and can’t wait to geek out with some library books once I get a card.
Prompt: What does this summer look like for you? Is it hopping with activity, getting outdoors, and staying out late to eat ice cream for dinner? Or is it slow mornings, and lazy afternoons lounging with a Sudoku by the pool?
