Motherhood & Words

We rolled into Berkeley Tuesday evening after four days on the road, and Stella immediately announced, “I love it here. This is where I’m going to live.” I don’t blame her.

We spent Tuesday evening with my friend, the fabulous Mary Hill. I’ve gotten to know Mary’s family through her writing, but I’d never met them, so it was so lovely to be able to sit down and share a meal with them. Stella and Zoe and Mary’s daughter, Ruby, became fast friends.

And now we’ve commandeered Mary’s house while they are out of town. We’ve spent time walking the secret steps of Berkeley, and D and the kids explored the UC Berkeley campus yesterday while I was at a Twitter party at the Viva/Cleis offices yesterday. (It was so great to finally meet the wonderful Viva staff that got Use Your Words out into the world. I feel so lucky to call them my publisher.)

Then last night we met the wonderful Janine Kovac at her house for dinner. After dinner, Janine and I left our spouses and kids to fend for themselves, and we headed into San Francisco for my reading/discussion at Good Vibrations. I’d never presented in that kind of venue and it was a blast. Thanks to everyone who came out.

I’ve had a couple of interviews with local newspapers, which has been really exciting. Here’s Tuesday interview with the San Francisco Bay Guardian. And today’s interview with the Marin Independent Journal. Whoop!

Today, we’re headed down to San Jose to see D’s step-brother and his family. They moved out here last year, and the girls are dying to see their cousins again. So it’s a family day today, and then I’m back to the tour.

If you’re in the area, I’d love to see/meet you at the other Bay events I have in the next few days:

August 3 – 11 am,  Towne Center Books, Pleasanton, CA – Use Your Words Discussion

August 3 – 7 pm, Books Inc. – Alameda, CA – Use Your Words Discussion

August 4 – 10 am – 12:30 pmBook Passage, Corte Madera, CA – Use Your Words Workshop

August 5 – 2:30 – 4 pm, Use Your Words WorkshopO’Hanlon Center – Marin, CA. Contact Janine Kovac to register: janine.kovac [at] gmail [dot] com.

August 5 – 4 – 6 pm, Write On, Mamas Salon, O’Hanlon Center – Marin, CA Contact Janine Kovac for more information: janine.kovac [at] gmail [dot] com.

Happy day, everyone!

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Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

3 Comments

  1. Nancy on August 3, 2012 at 8:40 am

    Good morning, Kate. I enjoyed catching up on your tripe events.good work!



    • Kate on August 3, 2012 at 10:35 am

      Thanks, Mom! I hope you’re having fun on YOUR trip!! I’ll call you soon!



  2. Galit Breen on August 6, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    Oh, you’re at my old stomping grounds! Love!

    {And enjoy!}