Are You Busy Writing Your Heart Out?

If not, maybe you need role models.

First, a shout-out to my colleague Diane Gottlieb and her vibrant and inspiring WomanPause blog. I’m particularly fond of this interview with Seattle-based writer Priscilla Long who just published Dancing with the Muse in Old Age—one of the most important books I’ve read in a long time. It changed my way of thinking about getting older, and it inspired me to adopt Priscilla—and other octogenarians like her—as my role model.

I’ve been thinking about older writers a great deal recently. Today, I finished listening to the audiobook version of 68-year-old author Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead—a stunning retelling of Dickens’ David Copperfield set in Appalachia at the height of the opioid crisis. Kingsolver’s at her very best with this novel . . . it’s witty and heartbreaking with scathing social commentary and a romantic ending worthy of Jane Austen.

After teaching at the Terroir Creative Writing Festival last weekend, I had lunch with a poet and filmmaker named Marilyn Johnston who’s a couple of decades older than me and doing phenomenal work as a poet in schools and prisons. She’s winning all sorts of contests and fellowships for her creative writing. I’m adopting her as my role model, as well.

I’ve been thinking about my own mother—a journalist and author--who would have turned 76 on May 14th, and who spent the last months of her life sitting up in a hospice bed writing short stories and making notes for her second novel while working on a screenplay. Her devotion to storytelling reminds me of this quote by J.D. Salinger, who’s writing from the perspective of an older brother to a younger sibling in Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters:

“When was writing ever your profession? It's never been anything

but your religion. Never. I'm a little over-excited now. Since it is

your religion, do you know what you will be asked when you die?

I'm so sure you'll get asked only two questions.' Were most of

your stars out? Were you busy writing your heart out? If only

you knew how easy it would be for you to say yes to both questions.”

Readers, I hope that today, you’re busy writing your heart out.

What I’m Publishing

Ah, but I’m not allowed to tell! All I’m allowed to say right now is that my dear agent sold my new nonfiction book proposal to a truly lovely publishing house and editor.

While we’re working out the details, I’m on assignment for a profile of a triathlete with Down syndrome, for an article about State Park recreational passes available to foster families around the country, and for a profile of two cat psychologists. Life is not boring.

Where I’ll Be

·        This Saturday, I’ll be at Wordcrafts in Eugene teaching: May Write Club: Rainbows, Unicorns, and Guts on the Page – LGBTQIA+ Storytelling – Wordcrafters in Eugene . There’s still space available for tweens and teens. Join me!

·        At the beginning of August, I’m presenting at the annual Willamette Writers Conference in Portland. I’ll talk about “The Art of the Query Letter” as well as “Biplanes, Juggling Clubs, and My Naked Great-Grandmother: The Joy of Historical Research.”

·        I’m teaching much of the same at the Southwest Washington Writers’ Conference on September 8th and 9th, including a Master Class on “How to Write Personal Essays for Magazines and Newspapers.”

·        Teachers, librarians & homeschooling parents, I’m always available for a free 20-minute Zoom with your kids if you’re reading one or more of my novels. I promise entertainment and inspiration. Last week, I taught first-graders three different owl calls along with how to use sensory details in their writing. Email me at melissahartsmith(at)gmail(com) to set something up.

A Few Cool Resources for Writers

·        Speaking of writing conferences, this! The Pros and Cons of Attending a Writers’ Conference | by Susan Poole | Apr, 2023 | The Writing Cooperative *Remember always to contact the conference director to ask if you can volunteer before or during the event to offset the registration cost.

·        This article might resonate with some of you; I do some of my best writing when I’m out running trails. How about you? Cardio-drafting: Writing During My Morning Workout - Cliff Lewis (diymfa.com)

·        Thanks to writer Emma Ewing for emailing to alert me to this smart article:  How to Make Your Writing More Sensitive - and Why It Matters (websiteplanet.com)

·        Hey, think TikTok’s just for twerking teens? Think again! This is a lovely piece looking at the connection between the social media app and empathy. Opinion: I’m 63 and I don’t want to lose my TikTok - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

·        And this is just delightful: The Secret to Never Writing a First Draft - The Open Notebook

Conferences, Residencies, and Calls for Submissions

·        Y’all, consider submitting a piece to The Keepthings. Former Oprah editor Deborah Way maintains a gorgeous online magazine focusing on objects we keep to remind us of our dearly departed. A year ago, she published my piece about this plastic alligator.

·        I’m intrigued by the title of this article: Submissions Series: Weirdest Lit Mags to Submit to (telltellpoetry.com) A glance at the list tells me that if The New York Times doesn’t take my piece about cat tongue-shaped chocolates, one of these editors will!

·        I attended a panel during the AWP Conference in March about fellowships and grants. This is free money. Why am I not applying for? One of the panelists recommended this book which I suspect will be incredibly useful. Did you know there are grants for science fiction/fantasy writers over 50? How about creative writing grants for people with disabilities? Thousands of grants exist to fund you, the brilliant writer. Spend a bit of time applying for a couple, won’t you?

That’s all for now. Let me know if you have any fascinating links to share, and I’ll include them in my June newsletter!

Much gratitude,

Melissa

P.S. Here’s me at my booth during the Oregon State Library Conference bookfair!