Leap Into Truth
On Instagram I shared the quote below from the first draft of my book. The quote comes from the chapter in which I come out to my parents. When I was searching for the words to describe what it felt like to come out, I thought of bungee jumping. Not just the idea of a leap of faith. But actually a feeling I hadn’t expected when I went to jump. The feeling of leaning out over the edge, right after you lean out but before you start to fall – a single moment of instant regret and then instant surrender. Here is the full quote from the book…
My biggest fear about coming out
I have realized while writing this book that from an early age I had an incredible fear that being gay would destroy my life. I carried that fear with me through childhood into my adult years where, when I finally decided to give in to gravity, to come out, that telling this secret would separate me from love—the love of my parents, my family, my friends... anyone and everyone that made up my world.
Only in writing this book did I realize that all that time I had an even deeper fear. The biggest fear I carried from the moment I knew I was different was that my life would become something I hated. And this is a question I don’t hear many people talk about. “When I come out, will I like who I am?”
What Do You Want to Hear More About?
I’m writing here because I want to connect with you about the kinds of things we both care about. I have some things I’d love to share with you, but I’d love to know what you want to hear more of. What do you wish you knew more about?
In this blog post is a short survey about the kinds of things I could share about my book, my journey writing the book, and more. Would you take a minute to fill it out?
How to Remember When Writing a Memoir - Part 2
How does an author remember all the things they put into their memoir? In this post I share what I actually do to remember the stories that will come together to be a book. Spoiler alert, it doesn’t come easy.
How to Remember When Writing a Memoir - Part 1
My friend Sarah and I were talking over Instagram about how memoir writers can possibly remember all the things they put into their books. We were having this conversation because a tex-mex restaurant famous for their signs, El Arroyo, posted a sign to their instagram that said, “WHENEVER I READ A MEMOIR IM LIKE HOW DID YOU REMEMBER ALL THAT.” We were also, of course, having this conversation because I’m writing a memoir.
Why am I writing a book?
I’m currently sitting under the waving green leaves of a silver maple tree trying to think of why I love to write and why I am writing this book at all.
Episode 11: A Mom Returning Home, a Cyber Security Contractor and a Leather Kween --- Kristina, Stephanie and Chewey
You and Me and Everyone We Know is an audio diary made by everyday people living through the Covid-19 pandemic. In today's episode, Kristina from Episode 2 updates us on her family's 24-hour decision to return home from Germany to South Dakota. We also talk about backyard chickens and how thirsty someone can get in coronavirus isolation. Press play to listen to the latest episode! Press play to listen to the latest episode
Episode 10: A Father in Jordan, a Grocer in London, and a Hairdresser in Minneapolis --- Ramzi, Kelly, and Tanya
You and Me and Everyone We Know is an audio diary made by everyday people living through the coronavirus pandemic. In today's episode, we talk UX design, alter egos, Austin, Texas, fearing for our grandparents, ginger tea and pumpkin squares. We also talk about how important it is to be social in the time of social distancing and about making art in quarantine. Press play to listen to the latest episode!
Episode 9: A Mermaid, A Peace Corps Friend, and My Aunt Nanete - Leanna, Shannon, and Meg
You and Me and Everyone We Know is an audio diary made by everyday people living through the coronavirus pandemic. In today's episode, we talk UX design, alter egos, Austin, Texas, fearing for our grandparents, ginger tea and pumpkin squares. We also talk about how important it is to be social in the time of social distancing and about making art in quarantine. Press play to listen to the latest episode!