Stuff about "Micah Hurwitz"!
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The Easy Chair
This week’s episode: “Learning to Dress My Mother” by Australian writer Rosemary Jones. Rosemary has written a moving micro-memoir about the shift in roles between her mother- a former word-loving historian, now an octogenarian with Alzheimer’s- and her. Guaranteed, tears will mix with laughter as Rosemary recounts the assumption of her new role: handmaiden. She wasn’t raised to be one. Unless, perhaps, she was. Next week, it’s Shoulda Swiped Left Episode 17! Hannah and Jake came home for the holidays where they got a chance to really catch up on any number of things, from relationship status to real estate investment. Stuff is happening. It’s a great, high-energy episode. If you have a dating story, send it along to [email protected] with Shoulda Swiped Left in the subject line, and we will happily share it (anonymously, of course!). If it’s writing advice you seek from me and Stephanie Spaulding, just put Mightier Than the Sword in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week, it’s Mightier Than the Sword #3! Co-host Stephanie Spaulding and I have a question from a new writer about blogging. Does vetting- something artists in every form turn to, before launching their creative work into the world- have a critical place in the blogger’s universe? Stephanie and I weigh in. Our fears, insecurities, and tendencies to wear our hearts on our pens might surprise you. What makes for a successful blog post? How do we feel when our message is overlooked but our grammar is nitpicked? Find out. This is a freewheeling episode. I go off on tangents, and Steph reins me in. I think this is what they call co-hosting chemistry. Writers out there- ask us questions! Give us your opinions! Stephanie and I are here for you. Write in to [email protected], with Mightier Than the Sword in the subject line. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week’s episode: Blog Jam. I picked some of my favorite posts from my nearly eight-year-old blog, Lolliblog, ranging from funny to reflective. My blog isn’t thematic or even consistent, just the daily musings of a woman who lives to write and is trying her best to put into words the three Es- experience, emotion, and existence. How did I feel about my daughter Eliza's penchant for dressing like her brother? Is it true that the best piece of prose I ever read was written by some high school student on her college application? Do I think that Lizzie Borden ax murdered her parents? And what, or whom, comprises a playdate from hell? Tune in. You will be surprised, but you won’t be disappointed. Promise. Daters: Email me and Hannah at [email protected]. com to have your dating story shared (anonymously) on the next episode of Shoulda Swiped Left, with “Shoulda Swiped Left” in the subject line. Writers seeking or offering insights: write to me and Steph Spaulding, same email address, with “Mightier Than the Sword” in the subject line. We ALL want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week, Stephanie Spaulding and I are back with Mightier Than the Sword, the bi-monthly advice podcast for writers. In this episode we welcome our first guest: author, essayist, and poet Cameron Gearen. Cameron joins us remotely from her hometown of Chicago with insightful, practical advice on how to deal with the bane of every writer’s existence: writer’s block. Whether the case is chronic or acute, Cameron, Stephanie, and I offer up our go-to prescriptions. A useful takeaway for every writer suffering from this frustrating affliction is guaranteed. Cameron’s brilliant collection of poetry, Some Perfect Year, was recently published, so she knows what she's talking about. It’s a fun and enlightening conversation. And, if you have any writing questions, please send them our way at [email protected] with “Mightier Than the Sword” in the subject line. Stephanie and I would love to feature them on an upcoming episode. Next week: new writer, new story! I’ll be joined by writer Danny Stone. He’s got a great story to share. Shoulda Swiped Left is up after that. Hannah and Jake will be checking in to tell of on-line dating developments in Hannah’s life. Do you have a dating story you’d like to share? Send it along to [email protected] with “Shoulda Swiped Left” in the subject line. We want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week, I pass the microphone to Stephanie Spaulding, who guest hosts “Safe in the Black Sand,” by author Danny Stone. (Actually, I wind up taking the mic back because Danny’s story and the conversation it sparked were impossible to resist). In Danny’s lyrical and haunting novella, protagonist Jax’s transgender sister Angelica is the victim of a brutal hate crime. To save Angelica, Jax must descend into the chaotic miasma of his father’s hallucinatory brain, to a place where profound, necessary, and all but forgotten truths are buried. "To forget is not to delete". Trust me: you will not want to miss this story. Next week, It’s Shoulda Swiped Left, with Hannah and Jake touching base on dating developments. The week after that, it’s another episode of Mightier Than the Sword, where Steph and I offer tips and insights to writers. Stories for Shoulda Swiped Left and questions for Mightier Than the Sword go to [email protected]. Be sure to put the intended podcast in the subject line. We want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week marks the return of "Mightier Than the Sword," the advice podcast for writers. Co-host Stephanie Spaulding and I field a great question from Eric, an astrophysicist/aspiring writer Stephanie met recently. Something is holding Eric back from taking the writing plunge: he finds the challenges of character development and believable dialog intimidating. Stephanie and I reveal our personal go-to strategies for creating believable characters who use authentic dialog, some orthodox, some decidedly less so. Some might be a little freaked out about a few of our borderline stalker methods, but that’s okay. Just like love and war, when it comes to writing, we figure all’s fair. Tune in! Next week: it’s a short story. I’m not sure what it will be about or even where it’s coming from, but I have no doubt you’ll love it. And please, keep those writing questions coming. Email me and Steph at [email protected] with “Mightier Than the Sword” in the subject line. On-line daters with stories to tell me and Hannah, same email address, but “Shoulda Swiped Left” in the subject line. We ALL look forward to hearing from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week's episode: “Sook’s Karaoke Palace” an as-told-to-me synthesis of real-life, real-person anecdotes. I’m excited to finally emerge from my post-Trump creativity slump, plus, I really love how the narrative came together. It begins when Dan and his college buddies move off campus to an apartment belonging to Sook, a woman of Korean ancestry, indeterminate age, and endless surprises. Sook can shrug off the blood stains on the rug and doesn’t hesitate to break into Dan’s apartment to test the smoke detector. Dan’s and Sook’s relationship is one that is difficult to explain, and impossible to forget. Next week, we’re back to Mightier Than the Sword, the advice podcast for writers. Stephanie Spaulding and I cheerfully offer advice and support. The week after that- it’s Shoulda Swiped Left, the podcast where Hannah and I dish about on-line dating and related topics. Jake is coming home for his cousin’s wedding, so he’ll be here to talk to Hannah in person. To recap: Those with writing questions, email [email protected] with Mightier Than the Sword in the subject line, and those with sharable dating debacles, same email address, only Shoulda Swiped Left in the subject line. We ALL want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week: Mightier Than the Sword is back! Stephanie Spaulding and I discuss our post-teaching summer plans, which for me includes following my agent’s directive and revising two manuscripts. I admit I am daunted, but itching to get started. Stephanie is eager to begin the process of self-publishing her collection of short stories. It’s the perfect moment to discuss a topic of great importance to many aspiring writers, namely, how to best get written work out into the world. Does the traditional publishing route, with an agent, seem like the best fit, or is self-publishing the better option? It’s an enlightening glimpse into the rapidly expanding, increasingly agile world of publishing. Next week: Okay, I blew it. Hannah and Jake were together for their cousin’s wedding this weekend but things were too hectic for them to sit down and talk about dating stuff. Never fear; I have a gorgeously haunting short story for you by a gifted emerging author Deborah Zervas. And please, those with writing questions and/or insights, write to me and Steph at [email protected]. We want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week on The Easy Chair: “P.R. Story” by Deborah Zervas. Yes, P.R. may be the acronym for Public Relations, but in this case the initials are for the island of Deborah’s grandparents’ birth, Puerto Rico. Steph Spaulding and I first heard Deborah read this at a coffee house in New Haven and were absolutely blown away. Deborah has woven a profoundly poignant narrative tracing what it means to return to the place you have always known by heart. She tells this memoir piece in two languages, English and Spanish, spanning three generations and two cultures. What emerges is a deeply personal account, lyrically expanded into a resonant human truth about longing and belonging. Listen. Escucha. Next week: it’s a return to Mightier Than the Sword! Steph and I discuss the pros and cons of writing retreats. Okay, fine, just the pros. The following week it’s Shoulda Siped Left. Hannah and Jake are back after a hiatus to talk about what’s up, on-line dating wise. News and insights abound! If you have questions/advice about writing, or a dating debacle you’d like to share, email us at [email protected]. Seriously. We want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
On The Easy Chair this week: Mightier Than the Sword is back, and Steph and I talk D.I.Y. writing retreats. Summer is the perfect season for writers both professional and aspiring to snag some time to work on their writing projects, and taking off to a remote, ideally idyllic location solo or with fellow writers is the best idea ever. Planning retreats takes some forethought and planning. Steph and I speak from our own fabulous writer’s retreat experience. We’re here to share strategies about retreating- how to get where you want to go, and what to do when you’re there. Hint: it’s NOT all work and no play! And FYI: S’mores are involved. Next week: Shoulda Swiped Left is back, with Hannah and Jake. In the meantime, we want to hear from you! If you are a writer seeking or sharing advice for Mightier Than the Sword, or a person with an on-line dating story to share on Shoulda Swiped Left, contact us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week, it’s Mightier Than the Sword. Co-host Steph Spaulding and I show by example the leap of faith and specific intentions of editing in general, and peer editing in particular. We have swapped manuscripts for editing purposes, with different editorial goals for our work, and we walk you through the process of editing. Aspiring writers and editors, pay attention! Speaking of editing, in editing this podcast, I realize how insecure I sound. I think many of you out there will empathize with my plight- seeking editorial help and constructive criticism, but also deathly afraid to actually receive it. Our next Mightier Than the Sword is the follow-up to what happened with this foray into peer editing. It’s an honest look at a sensitive subject, but just so you know- Steph and I remain the best of friends. Writers with questions/suggestions, daters with stories/insights, email us at [email protected] with the appropriate podcast (here’s a thought-use acronyms!- MTTS or SSL) in the subject line. Hannah and Jake and Steph and I want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week on The Easy Chair: “Matricidal Maniac” by none other than Mightier Than the Sword co-host and gifted, ever-popular writer Stephanie Spaulding. In this tale, which we want you to note is 100% fictional, honest, Christine’s excruciatingly embarrassing mother travels to Manhattan to spend time with her daughter, and Christine’s annoyance explodes into an array of colorful death fantasies. Not that Christine wants to kill her mother- she knows where to draw the line- but maybe she wouldn’t mind if Mom was the victim of a bus crash, or an ice fishing accident, or a stroke. Parental relationships are complicated, and maybe, just maybe, what goes on in our heads is not the same as what goes on in our hearts. Stephanie’s deft story explores the interface between shock and hilarity. You will not want to miss one of my favorite Easy Chair episodes EVER. Next week: It’s Mightier Than the Sword, and Steph and I candidly share the results of our peer editing project swap. The week after that: Shoulda Swiped Left, with Hannah and Jake. Send writing questions/insights or dating stories to [email protected]. We want to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week: It’s a new episode of “Mightier Than the Sword” and Steph Spaulding and I process both the details and the aftermath of our DIY edit swap. Personally, it was a huge challenge to bring my newborn manuscript into the world and hold it out (even to a close and supremely competent pal) for a careful, honest inspection. Constructive criticism was what I sought, but dreaded. Steph is less of a head case and just wanted to make sure her about-to-be self-published collection of short stories was mechanically sound. Find out how we fared, serving as each other’s editor. Are we still speaking to each other? Is peer editing a solid or terrible idea? Tune in and find out. Okay, writers out there! Send us your questions and/or thoughts! If there’s any topic you’d like us to cover, let us know. Email us at [email protected] Next week: Shoulda Swiped Left with Hannah and Jake. I am not sure what this next episode will bring, but I can promise you it’s gonna be very interesting. Daters out there with stories to tell, send them our way at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
It’s Mightier Than the Sword, with co-host Stephanie Spaulding! Today we talk about one big writerly conundrum: when to abandon a writing project, when to push through and finish it, and when to put it on the back burner. We offer useful strategy and compassionate empathy to those writers out there who have ever questioned the worth of their work, which is to say every writer ever. We also discuss some tangential stuff, like the particular cruelty of summer viruses, the nightmarish start to every school year, and what fall is good for (I say apples). Tune in for this informative, frank, and funny discussion. And writers out there: we want to hear from you! Questions? Insights? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Easy Chair
This week, on Mightier Than the Sword I blindsided co-host Stephanie Spaulding with Elmore Leonard’s list of ten writing tips. Steph and I are both list-lovers, and the late Mr. Leonard has some pointers that bear writerly discussion. How we feel about opening with weather, using regional dialect, and the usefulness of prologues will be abundantly clear, not to mention overuse of exclamation points! Writers- if you have questions, suggestions, or anything you’d like to share, please email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! And yes, that exclamation point was absolutely intentional! The AWESOME new musical intro to The Easy Chair is by North Carolina indie-folk band Honey Magpie. The track is “Lost In the Woods” which was written and sung by my daughter Rachael. If you want to hear more from this talented band, you can find them on bandcamp, iTunes, spotify, google play, and amazon, or just follow this link: http://honeymagpie.com/ This week’s episode is brought to you by Squarespace.com. Squarespace is the best, period. Want proof? Check out jakesmomscookies.com. next week, when the site goes live. When you’re ready to launch your own website, be sure to use promo code easychair for 10% off. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.