Glimmers: February 2024

A Monthly Roundup

Last time: Big Writing News

Photo by Sander Weeteling on Unsplash

“I trust so much the process of noticing the glimmer, even if I don’t know what it means or why I’m noticing it.” —Pam Houston

Hello! This is monthly collection of glimmers, an idea inspired by author Pam Houston.

Because I like to reflect and curate my thoughts. Because I like to empty out my brain (and whatever daily notebook I’ve been using for quotes/scraps/glimmers).

Because I feel called, if you will, to share the books and podcasts and newsletters and poems that I find restorative or inspiring or odd. Because I hope you will find them helpful (or at least interesting), too. I’m hoping you will share what you have found each month, too (wherever you do your sharing).

To elaborate on what Pam Houston means by “glimmers,” (as shared in her piece, “How I Write”):

For me the whole process begins with Henry James’ advice: A writer should strive to be a person on whom nothing is lost. So my first task is to pay strict attention—with all of my senses—to whatever moment I am in. What I am trying to be alert to are things that have for me a kind of shimmer of resonance around them, things that, were I with a trusted friend, I would say, “hey, look at that!” or “did you hear that?”

I call these writing-worthy objects and events “glimmers” when I teach, although I don’t love the word glimmer because it suggests prettiness, and often these things are anything but. The word glimmer does correctly suggest how momentary they can be, how sleight. The feeling of resonance—of recognition—that accompanies them is also often momentary and subtle, so at the same time I am paying strict attention to the world, I am also paying strict attention to my internal reaction to it.

Here are my glimmers from February.

Mildly obsessed with spiderweb stained glass lately

A poem

“Make No Apologies for Yourself” by Glenis Redmond

Not only am I sucker for this kind of repetition in poetry (see my “because” lines at the beginning of this post), but I was extremely fortunate to hear Glennis Redmond read this poem at the TYCA-SE conference in Greenville this week.

“and just because people die
does not mean they don’t walk with you daily”

Definitely got a little teary eyed with these lines.

A quote

“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our life.” —Toni Morrison

I’ve been a fan, if you will, of Toni Morrison’s Nobel Lecture for a while, but it especially lingered near the surface for me this month. “We do language.” I’ve been saying it like a mantra.

A book

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

I’m comfortable with saying I’ll read anything Ling Ma writes. I loved her novel Severance and now her short stories, full of speculative, surreal magic, have rearranged my brain.

Note: I am a Bookshop.org affiliate and may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links.

I don’t read nearly as many story collections as I used to, but I want to. As author Matt Bell says, “Keep yourself fed, keep your diet varied, keep putting enough art in so that art keeps flowing back out.”

A Substack

T.M.I (Too Much Internet) by Kelley Greene

You know that feeling of finding a person whose brand of humor matches your own and you feel seen? It’s such a good feeling. I am new to T.M.I, but it has already brought me so much laughter. Please read and enjoy!

Note: I met Kelley earlier this month at AWP—catch a glimpse of me and a glorious onion ring tower in her conference recap.

A Pinterest Delight

I recently delighted in the odd gifts that the Pinterest algorithm holds for me even after not logging in for a year. I’ve been making a secret board full of book cover inspiration (!!!), so my latest recommendations are better than ever.

Here’s my favorite this month:

Cute and terrifying

I have a soft spot in my heart for Kewpie dolls (hi, mom!) and my novel is named Doll Parts, so… nice job, Pinterest. Sheer perfection.

A thank you

I again wanted to thank everyone who helped me celebrate my book deal news. And thank you for being here, for reading! Friends, family, coworkers, and complete strangers have reached out in wonderful ways (even if I’m still a little bit in shock). I can’t wait to share the rest of the process with you and eventually send you a book cover reveal and a pre-order link.

I invite you to subscribe to Mourning Pages so that you don’t miss any updates. Creativity is nourished by community, in this case especially.

And now, in the spirit of transparency, allow me to share the most common question I’ve been asked so far about my book deal (and the answer to that question).