June was a busy month for me: I led my annual Apart and Yet a Part writing workshop at the Collegeville Institute, gave a presentation on Thomas Merton and solitude at the biannual International Thomas Merton Society conference, dipped into Wisconsin to see where my grandmother was born and raised, did an interview with Talk Radio Europe, and appeared in conversation with fellow writers Judith Valente (at Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver), Pat Hannon (in Portland), Laura Laffrado (at Village Books in Bellingham) and the incomparable Kaethe Schwehn (at Content Bookstore in Northfield, MN).
It would be hard to choose which of these events was the most exhilarating. The writers in the Apart workshop were talented, engaged and inspiring. I always love being with the Merton folks, who are smart, dedicated, and hope-filled people. And it was deeply meaningful to see where the grandmother I loved so much lived her early life.
I especially enjoyed the book events with dear, kind friends who are also excellent writers and conversation partners. For a taste of what those appearances were like, you can watch the video below of my wonderful interview with Kaethe Schwehn. Thanks to Kaethe’s great questions and lively personality, the event was both deeply meaningful and terribly fun.
After five months during which I made over 25 appearances, I’m taking a break for the next couple of months, hoping to do some new writing. I have a few events set up for the fall and will post about them later. Now, though, I’m heading up to the islands for some much-needed R & R.
Happy Summer!
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