Life cycles/work cycles

Themes that return

Since I was in utero, Maine has been part of every summer. And so, this being August, I look forward to our northern pilgrimage.

Fishing village nearby.

Writing themes are not so different. There are those to which we keep returning. For me those themes center around music, in particular, and more generally around love and death (a few small topics).

I share with you my eight minute mini “TED talk,” After Viola, that I gave at my 45th college reunion a few weeks ago. In it, I traced my (rocky) journey from music to writing. My talk presages some of the themes in my upcoming novel, DUET FOR ONE. I hope my talk resonates with you. My writing draws upon experience, the good and the bad.

Picture taken my freshman year, referenced in my “TED talk.”

I worked for thirty years in social and racial justice before becoming a full time writer. There are returning themes in my life in social justice as well.

Last night, I heard an amazing story on NPR’s All Things Considered about Lateefah Simon, now running for Congress in Oakland, CA. I am proud to say that Simon was one of our earliest grant recipients during my tenure as CEO at the Butler Family Fund, and we were one of her earliest funders. We supported her work to protect teenage sex workers and bring them off the street with housing, education, and jobs. Simon is an inspiring advocate, and guess who her mentor was? I really encourage you to listen to this story, it says so much about both Lateefah Simon and Vice President Harris.

Lateefah Simon

The last ten days have renewed my commitment to work for a stronger, more inclusive democracy. This election is about a vision for our future: widening human rights, racial justice, greater inclusiveness, increasing opportunity, reproductive justice, combating global warming, lifting up our queer and trans neighbors, welcoming immigrants and refugees, honoring people of color, and creating a fairer playing field. Let’s not get bogged down in minutiae, our democracy depends on us. If you’re looking for how and where to volunteer, try Field Team 6. And here’s a wonderful list of organizing groups on the ground to support, compiled by our local neighborhood group NOPE Neighbors.

I am delighted to share my interview with Paul Cody in the Washington Independent Review of Books about his searing book, WALK THE DARK. As I wrote, Cody is “that rare author who writes with economy and clarity while simultaneously ripping your heart out with emotional truths.”

I hope to lay low for August and will look forward to being in touch in September.

From my house to yours, I wish you a beautiful and peaceful rest of summer.

Love, Martha

P.S. ICYMI here’s last week’s newsletter: Weaving connections