Writing About Congratulations…

Time erodes friendships — some strengthen and some dissolve.

I recently published an essay — What I Wrote Was Congratulations What I Meant to Say Was — about the weird false intimacy that is perpetuated through social media, the historical context that often shadows it, and the words we can no longer say.

I’ve been creative writing for most of my life, but only recently began pushing my fragile little constructions into the light. For the past two years, after work and on weekends, I’ve been pursuing an MFA through the low-residency program at Pacific University, volunteering at an historic literary magazine, The Northwest Review, and mentoring young writers through 826LA. I’m fascinated by how with how the past shadows the present and want to help readers imagine a different future – less dystopia, more hope.

Last month, I published an essay about alcohol and abstention in the Washington Post; last year, I wrote about “Stranger Things” as therapy on Scary Mommy. Now, I’m honored to be published in Hippocampus alongside a group of incredible writers! Please click here to read my essay and the issue (for free).

And, if you’re so inclined, I’d love to know what you think of it. Thanks!