(Spring is making an appearance in Berkeley).
I’ve a few pieces out in the world in recent days.
- My essay on Scarlet has found a wonderful home at Newport Review. Much thanks to Kathryn Kulpa for reaching out to me after spotting the essay, which was initially an exercise in grief more than a piece intended for publication. Writing the piece helped me feel better about Scarlet, and I am really happy it found a home out in the world.
- And this morning, I’ve a piece on a pick-up line up at Sundog Lit. I’ve had my fair share of bad pick-up lines (e.g., “Can I talk to you about my cancer?” and “I don’t care if you’re married–can I buy you a drink?”), so it was hard to choose just one. But I did. And in doing so, I wrote about something I rarely talk about in public: having my engagement broken off. (We got back together a year later, by the way, and we’ve been happy ever since). All the Men I Loved was inspired by and written in support of my friend Matthew Salesses‘ forthcoming book, I’m Not Saying, I’m Just Saying. All the pick up lines by all the contributing writers are compiled here. Also, delighted to say my piece is out alongside my friend Mary Kim Arnold’s pick-up line piece for Matt. She has a great blog, if you’re looking for another to add to your reading.
Hope you like and enjoy them.
80,000 words 
That piece about losing your dog was really moving. I had read it before and was moved again. In a way it is what I value about good writing, it is a preparation or a reflection on my own experiences. It helps us to live better, when we read good writing. I really believe that.
thank you for your kind comment. readers like you make writers like me, very happy.
Oh, man, two really great stories. Pick-Up Line was great, and the story about saying good-bye to Scarlet the Wiener Dog was just heartbreaking. I’ll tweet both.
thank you so much, Meghan!
I usually hit your blog when I am too tired to do anything but read it. And so I don’t have clever ways of saying how much I like almost everything you do, cuz I am tired. But I love your style of writing and your honest confrontation of life. Keep up all the excellent work, and don’t let the baby overwhelm you. Unless you absolutely have to (Which will probably be a lot of the next 12 to 95 years!)