I can well understand why Paris Review published this. So deadpan honest and also illuminating about how to take the bits of criticism that work for you and leave the other behind. I have so admired your pursuit of being a better writer. We should all work so hard—me, that means me.
Thank you, Glenda. But really, you work so hard, both at your own writing and at promoting other writers. For instance, your work with/founding of Jane's Stories Press Foundation! https://janesstories.org
Well, I did for a lot of years. I’ve retired from JSPF. New people have taken over. Now, I promote other writers and do interviews, prompt examples, and reviews at my blog weavers-knot.com. When I feel like it! Soon, I’ll have a Substack, too. Be sure and send me something on anything you want to promote!
Oh, Sandra. So, so good, and amazing to hear you read it. Confirms my suspicions that although feedback can be helpful, a lot of the time we know what we’re doing. Love.
Thanks for listening, Tricia. It's so fun doing the audio recordings. I'm not an actor by any means, but I do get to put some expression into the words.
My Withered Legs is an excellent essay on publishing work when it doesn't fall into mainstream concepts. I am guessing some publishers also tell African American writers to be "more black" in their writing? I'm glad you were able to sort the kernels from the chaff and keep going!
I love the line..."even the straight-up, blithely unaware ableist comments are valuable—they clarify the cultural context in which I’m writing and publishing."
I could not put this down. Mesmerizing. Powerful. Liberating!
Thank you, Maggie! I love the "liberating" reaction.
This is an excellent essay. I was moved as I always am by Sandra Lambert's work.
Carol Anne, you are such a supporter of my writing. I so appreciate it.
A gem of an essay. ❤️
Thank you, darling wife.
I can well understand why Paris Review published this. So deadpan honest and also illuminating about how to take the bits of criticism that work for you and leave the other behind. I have so admired your pursuit of being a better writer. We should all work so hard—me, that means me.
Thank you, Glenda. But really, you work so hard, both at your own writing and at promoting other writers. For instance, your work with/founding of Jane's Stories Press Foundation! https://janesstories.org
Hearing you read this made me smile, laugh, swoon, groan then roar! What a treat!
Oh, Boaz, you know I like to make you swoon.
Well, I did for a lot of years. I’ve retired from JSPF. New people have taken over. Now, I promote other writers and do interviews, prompt examples, and reviews at my blog weavers-knot.com. When I feel like it! Soon, I’ll have a Substack, too. Be sure and send me something on anything you want to promote!
Oh, Sandra. So, so good, and amazing to hear you read it. Confirms my suspicions that although feedback can be helpful, a lot of the time we know what we’re doing. Love.
Thanks for listening, Tricia. It's so fun doing the audio recordings. I'm not an actor by any means, but I do get to put some expression into the words.
My Withered Legs is an excellent essay on publishing work when it doesn't fall into mainstream concepts. I am guessing some publishers also tell African American writers to be "more black" in their writing? I'm glad you were able to sort the kernels from the chaff and keep going!
I love the line..."even the straight-up, blithely unaware ableist comments are valuable—they clarify the cultural context in which I’m writing and publishing."
Yep.