What pure, surreal, strange and magical love this was, to sit and chat with Vanessa Shields about BREATHING IS HOW SOME PEOPLE STAY ALIVE.
Where I talk about how Hollay Ghadery is the yin to my yang and how the boook launch was as magical as it was because of her and Cayley Britghtside.
Where I talk about what I wore to my book launch, no vintage blouse because I wore it to Heidi von Palleske’s launch, my current obsession with Simon’s department store, and the expensive blouse I purchased from Jennifer Glasgow.
Where I talk about what I read: the story that has the most funny bits in it. Sure, a woman abducted and thrown in the trunk of a car is hilarious!
Where I talk about the publishing process and how Michael Mirolla has basically changed my life; stopping drinking and the ultimatum I gave myself to get this book published or move on.
Where I talk about writing through grief and not putting it all together in my head.
Where I talk about ploughing through my MFA with little kids and getting it done in the shortest time possible. “Declaring a radical experience,” as Vanessa says.
Where I talk about not missing my full-time job, and how this community helped me get the book published.
Where I overshare my fears and the overwhelming self-doubt that goes into knowing people will read my book, and the vulnerability of knowing writers are going to read this book.
Where Vanessa talks about the “cool kind of growth happening’ with the connected characters.
Where I talk about where these stories come from.
There is so much more to this fun conversation.
If you’re not following Vanessa Shields, please follow and check out her writing.
Click on the photo to watch the video.
A writer. 