The Writing Life: Connection and Community

Writing can be a lonely business. I am inspired by other writers, creators and cultural workers. I love the exchange of ideas and support that happens through friendships between creators. Art is symbiotic. If a work of art catches fire with me, it will fuel my own work. If I share my enthusiasm for this work, more people will learn of it, and it will inspire them. If I let the creator of the art know how much the work inspired me, it helps them to know that they are not alone and that they are working on something that is meaningful to another person. To me, this is the role of art, to establish connections, to inspire conversation and more art, to forge strong ties within a community.

A few years ago—I think it was during the second lockdown from Covid 19-- I found out about the literary podcast, Between the Covers, hosted by David Naimon, mainly because I was a fan of another podcast where he was a guest,  Commonplace with Rachel Zucker. I went on to listen to a two-part, in-depth conversation between David and Natalie about Postcolonial Love Poem (Part one and part two), and I was hooked. I become a regular listener, even supporting the Patreon for the show, and commenting on the interesting notes and links he shared with supporters. Then because I was curious about all the work that clearly went in to the podcast, I asked him to be on the Small Machine Talks, the podcast I hosted for AngelHousePress from 2016-2023. Here’s our conversation.

This year, when I told David about my editing service, he generously offered to do a promotional spot on Between the Covers, and I’m pleased to say, here it is, as part of the latest episode: Diana Khoi Nguyen : Root Fractures, which I’ve just started to listen to, and am already drawn in by the origins of  Ghost Of. In the promo spot, David quotes from two of my testimonials from fellow poets, Rob Thomas and Manahil Bandukwala. I am grateful to David for this promotion of my editing service and to all who have written testimonials.

Twenty years ago I joined an organization called the Erotica Readers and Writers Association where I met several amazing writers and editors, such as Remittance Girl and Lisabet Sarai. Lisabet went on to become my editor for my collection of short erotic fiction, Coming Together Presents Amanda Earl.

This year when Matt Jones, a former Ottawan and dear friend now residing in Paris, invited me to do an erotic writing workshop, I contacted Remittance Girl and Lisabet Sarai to ask for advice and tips. I hadn’t been in contact with either of them in years, and they were generous in providing thoughts and advice on the workshop.

Today, Lisabet features my Hem-Press published pamphlet, Trouble, a long-poem about a lust affair on her blog, Beyond Romance. I am thrilled and thankful to Lisabet for this chance to talk a bit more about Trouble, and highlight to audiences I haven’t reached before, possibly finding more kindred connections.

I am grateful to have made so many friends in my near quarter century of working as a writer and cultural worker. These friendship and connections are invaluable to me, enrich my work and my life as a maker of art.

I suppose if I had any advice to budding writers and artists, it is to find your home among kindred spirits. In my case, I am drawn to fellow whimsy-makers, artists, publishers, editors and literary organizers who lift and amplify others, especially those whose voices have been erased from the literary and arts canons. I am extremely fortunate to have these good people in my life: as friends, fellow artists and cultural workers.