San Francisco Writers Conference

I'm on faculty, so stop by and say hi! 

Flash Fiction on the Danube!

I am thrilled to be an Author Host on a river cruise down the Danube from March 31-April 7, 2027! Cruise over here for more info!

Revising CONFLAGRATION

I'm not a crier. Still, I'm sitting at Roast & Toast, editing, revising, playing with the chunks and blocks of text, and all I want to do is lie down and sob.

Eleven years ago

I found out I was pregnant.

Best news ever.

Back through time

I co-led a tour of John Muir Elementary School, where Baz goes, this morning. I felt like I was walking backward through his experience: here's Room 9, where he goes to fourth grade with Ms. Rosenthal. Here's Room 3, where he had third grade with Ms. Iglehart. There's Room 5, Ms. Hong. And on and on. Ultimately we were at Mr. Tomavi's class, kindergarten.

"The fourth graders are coming to read to our class today," he said.

"Say hi to Baz."

"I do most mornings."

He has decided he is a frat boy. My kid. Wonders never cease. 

Brenda's French Soul Food, Oakland

 

Today's writing

If someone had told me what to expect from life, I would have wrinkled my forehead hard. I might have bitten my lip, and certainly I would have wondered how I could have wriggled out from under Father Fate. But there is no such chance. We are written, inscribed, in the Book of Living, and that ink is invisible to all but the author.

"That time I went to Boston"

That's one way to put it, babe. Another way to put it was that we had just started dating and you went back to see your ex-girlfriend.

Sometimes the past still pisses you even, even two decades gone. 

Rachel Louise Snyder on Renee Good

"That 'dude' was a peace offering, a reaching out to show we’re not like those other women, the kind who don’t know about cars or home repairs. We’re not weak or uncool. We’re not hysterical or overly emotional. We’re not into drama. No. We’re just like you, dude."

Read it here. 

Dave Matthews, "Crash Into Me"

You've got your ball, you've got your chain
Tied to me tight, tie me up again
Who's got their claws in you my friend?
Into your heart I'll beat again

Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock and sweet you roll
Lost for you, I'm so lost
For you

Oh, when you come crash, into me
And I come into you
And I come into you
In a boy's dream
In a boy's dream

Touch your lips just so I know
In your eyes, love, it glows so
I'm bare-boned and crazy
For you

Oh, when you come crash into me, baby
And I come into you
In a boy's dream
In a boy's dream

If I've gone overboard
Then I'm begging you to forgive me, oh, in my haste
When I'm holding you so girl
Close to me

And you come crash into me, baby
And I come into you

Oh, hike up your skirt a little more
And show the world to me
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show your world to me
In a boy's dream
In a boy's dream

Oh, I watch you there through the window
And I stare at you
You wear nothing but you wear it so well
Tied up and twisted, the way I'd like to be

For you, for me, come crash into me baby
Come crash into me, yeah, yeah
Crash into me
Crash into me
Crash into me
Ooh-whoa, ooh-whoa

I'm the king of the castle
And you're the dirty rascal, crash into me
Just crash away baby

Oh no, the less I see the wave come and crash into me
I see the wave come and crash into me
Crash into me (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hey
Da, da, dum, dum, hey, yeah
Da, da, dum, dum, hey, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Memphis, 2012

 

First picture of us together

My 30th birthday. Adam got way drunk. Chaos ensued.

Mindfulness Cards

It is sometimes said that our increasingly digital lives disconnect us from being physically present in our bodies. But this is only true if we allow ourselves to disconnect. A simple way to sty connected while you're online is to bring your attention to how your hands and fingers engage with your devices. Observe what the sensation of typing feels like. Feel the weight of the phone or tablet. Notice the different textures you experience, from the smoothness of the screen to the hardness of the buttons. By paying attention to your physical experience of technology, you can become more physically present.

The boys

Purple Rain

I remember dancing with Baz to this song the day we found out Prince died. 

Question Seven

I only counted six questions. Maybe I'm missing something!

Happy New Year! Shit in the world is crazy right now, and I hope you're hanging in there, whoever you are. 

Question Six

Is there anyone you need to forgive in 2026?

Yes, and I'm not saying who.