I tried to read On Earth but gave up, thinking I’m old, the world is full of unread books, time’s too short for experimental novels, I’ll stick to comforting lady Brit Lit. I was wrong. Thank you.
what a wonderful missive to receive today! I'd been struggling with how to start a complicated story that involves two teenage boys with interracial tension (and in military families), and this prompt feels like a great serendipity to vault me into the writing process. Thanks, AC!
I recently discovered Ocean Vuong's essay, "In a House of Strangers," in a collection called "Love, Christopher Street." It absolutely floored me -- the way he writes with such grace and humility about being homeless in Penn station -- how he could see the humanity in his companions there. And then when he finds shelter by being the caretaker of an elderly woman, he shows her the same grace and kindness. Whenever I forget to be grateful, become too hard-edged and dismissive of others -- I re-read that essay and it puts me right in my head.
Anytime, Alex! And let me take the opportunity to thank you as well. You are as much a help to me as Ocean. When I'm sitting at my desk facing the screen and nothing's coming . . . I re-read your essay, "The Rosary." That piece is a master class in how to start with a muddy slum of a junkyard and make it into something beautiful and sublime, baby step by baby step. Thanks much! Jackie
On the subject of appreciating a writer’s work, I quite enjoyed How To Write An Autobiographical Novel. I thought it was a superb demonstration of how a collection of essays can come together to achieve an emotional full. Thanks for that! It taught me a lot about storytelling.
So good, thank you. I am currently deep into Henry Lien's new book Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird, which is all about applying kishōtenketsu to the stories you write, and boy is it eye-opening.
This is just great. So thoughtful and well conceived. I love it as a form of review.
Thank you Alice!
Thank you for reminding me of the gentle fierce brilliance of Ocean Vuong
Thank you for sharing. I loved On Earth but didn’t know anything about Vuong’s career (or poetry). Loved reading the interview questions.
I liked the questions also—thanks for reading.
Thank you for your generosity!
Beautifully insightful and useful. Thank you.
Thanks Amanda!
I tried to read On Earth but gave up, thinking I’m old, the world is full of unread books, time’s too short for experimental novels, I’ll stick to comforting lady Brit Lit. I was wrong. Thank you.
Thanks Lida, glad to hear it.
what a wonderful missive to receive today! I'd been struggling with how to start a complicated story that involves two teenage boys with interracial tension (and in military families), and this prompt feels like a great serendipity to vault me into the writing process. Thanks, AC!
I recently discovered Ocean Vuong's essay, "In a House of Strangers," in a collection called "Love, Christopher Street." It absolutely floored me -- the way he writes with such grace and humility about being homeless in Penn station -- how he could see the humanity in his companions there. And then when he finds shelter by being the caretaker of an elderly woman, he shows her the same grace and kindness. Whenever I forget to be grateful, become too hard-edged and dismissive of others -- I re-read that essay and it puts me right in my head.
It is such a good essay. I found the anthology. Thank you.
Anytime, Alex! And let me take the opportunity to thank you as well. You are as much a help to me as Ocean. When I'm sitting at my desk facing the screen and nothing's coming . . . I re-read your essay, "The Rosary." That piece is a master class in how to start with a muddy slum of a junkyard and make it into something beautiful and sublime, baby step by baby step. Thanks much! Jackie
Well that is lovely. Thank you.
I haven’t seen that essay, I’ll get it. Thank you for telling me about it.
On the subject of appreciating a writer’s work, I quite enjoyed How To Write An Autobiographical Novel. I thought it was a superb demonstration of how a collection of essays can come together to achieve an emotional full. Thanks for that! It taught me a lot about storytelling.
Thanks so much Sam.
Reading this reminded me of what I loved so much about Vuong’s first novel. Cant wait for Emperor of Gladness!
So good, thank you. I am currently deep into Henry Lien's new book Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird, which is all about applying kishōtenketsu to the stories you write, and boy is it eye-opening.
Oh, very cool. I will check it out.