Stuff about "Laura Hurwitz"!
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The Easy Chair
This week on The Easy Chair: Part One of an anti-holiday holiday short story: "Seasonal Work" by Laura Lippman. Grifter Gary and his four kids- three biological, one his step-daughter- take part in an annual holiday scam that’s working so far. Take off for a new city at Christmastime. Pretend the gifts you pretended to buy got stolen from your minivan. Local news coverage and a trusting public take care of the rest. Gary’s stepdaughter, narrator of the story, is a willing accomplice. Or is she? Tune in to hear me read this quirky, honest, unexpectedly resilient tale... to be continued next week. Today's episode is brought to you by Brooklinen. I just got my new Brooklinen comforter and slept like a baby for the first time since I was a baby! Brooklinen has some great gift ideas for this holiday season. If you go to brooklinen.com and use promo code chair, you’ll get $20 off your first order, plus free shipping. Go on, make yourself or someone you love blissfully happy! 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
Steph Spaulding and I are back with another episode of the podcast for writers, Mightier Than the Sword! We discuss the disciplined practice of writing. Is it a labor of love, or more like pure labor? Writing on retreat is one thing, but integrating a writing practice into life on a regular basis presents a set of unique challenges. Steph and I talk about how to start, how to keep the writing flow going, when to push, when to be patient. Join us for this entertaining (and hopefully enlightening) episode. Writers: we encourage you to write to us with questions, tips, insights, you name it, at [email protected] with Mightier Than the Sword in the subject line. Next week: it’s a rare treat: a whimsical and slightly twisted Hurwitz progressive story, written whilst on our family vacation on Nantucket. It will possibly offend and definitely delight you. This week’s episode is brought to you by Squarespace. I chose Squarespace to create a fabulous website for Jake’s Mom’s Cookies, my side hustle chocolate chip cookie biz. (thanks to daughter Hannah for her gorgeous photography and web design). See what I mean: https://www.jakesmomscookies.com. 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: Part Two of Seasonal Work, by Laura Lippman. This is the continuation and conclusion of Lippman’s poignant/painful short story told by Kyle, the 14 year-old stepdaughter of Gary, a con artist. The plan is in motion. The family has relocated to Baltimore, and the scam has begun. The kind social worker who comes back to check on Kyle and her siblings turns out to be something quite different. Who’s been playing who? It’s a surprising turn of events in this light and mostly dark holiday tale. The end of the story is a shocker, and you’re going to want to tune in what happens. This is a holiday story unlike any story you’ve heard before. This weeke’s episode is brought to you by Rothy’s flats, the perfect shoes for women and girls! I love my Rothy’s. They’re comfortable, stylish, and sustainable ( incredibly, they are made from recycled plastic bottles, but they are comfy as any show you're ever worn). Go to Rothys.com and enter promo code chair for free shipping, and no minimum. I guarantee you’re gonna love your Rothy’s, just like I do. 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
Welcome to a two part introduction to the indie folk band Honey Magpie! Rachael Hurwitz, Kati Moore and Pippa Hoover are three talented singer/musicians/songwriters from North Carolina, and in these back-to-back episodes, they visit me at my sweet little Airbnb in Carrboro to talk about their songwriting influences and their backstories and their creative work, both individual and collectively. Kati performs her song “Moonbreak” and names a surprising influence- The Red Hot Chili Peppers. (link to lyrics of all three original Honey Magpie Songs here) .The episode engages an interesting discussion about whether a great melody or great lyrics come first. Then…check out Kati, Pippa, and Rachael’s wonderful song lyrics. And don’t forget to join us next week for Honey Magpie, part two. Our sponsors this week: Ritual, the transparently healthy once a day multi-vitamin that has been keeping me going strong all winter, and for 10% off your first three months, head on over to ritual.com/easychair. Quip, the go-anywhere electric toothbrush that guides a thorough clean and will give you the healthiest smile ever. Go to getquip.com/easychair and get your first refill pack free. Also, Brooklinen, the five-star luxury sheets I LOVE. Indulgent, without the middleman mark-up! For 10% off your first order and free shipping go to Brooklinen.com, promo code chair. 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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Jake's mama joins us to discuss protesting, parents, and her new novel! This episode is brought to you by BlueApron.com, MeUndies.com, and TaxAct.com 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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Jake's mother joins us to discuss parenthood, religion, and Jake's biggest fears. This episode is brought to you by NatureBox and Casper! 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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Jake's mother joins us to discuss ex-girlfriends, gay boyfriends, and getting into Yale. This bonus Thursday episode is brought to you by Ring.com, Squarespace.com and TrueGrowers.com! 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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In this episode, Jake's mom joins us to discuss text messages, ex-girlfriends, and if Jake was always like that. This episode is brought to you by SquareSpace! Build your own website/online store in just minutes! It's easy and cheap, especially if you use coupon code "Jake." 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
Today on The Easy Chair, “The Composition,” a short story by Chilean author Antonio Skarmeta. The story begins on one sunny spring day, when Pedro’s thoughts are on getting to school on time for once and scoring a goal in soccer in the afternoon neighborhood soccer game. Then, at the game, Pedro's friend Daniel’s father is arrested by the military junta because he is a leftist. The thing is, Pedro’s parents are leftists, too. When Captain Romo, a government officer, shows up one morning at Pedro’s school and assigns the class compositions intended to reveal parental antifascist political beliefs, with a prize going to the best (most revelatory) composition, Pedro puts his pen to paper. He really, really wants a new soccer ball. This is my kind of snow day: cozy inside and the chance to read this winsome, suspenseful narrative about what happens when the innocence of childhood faces the duplicity of oppression. Tune in! 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, I read the first chapter of my YA novel under consideration (working title, Sisterhood of the Porcelain God). Sophie is 18, a senior in high school, and her life should be poised for takeoff, but the eating disorder that has turned her life upside down since she was 13 makes forward momentum all but impossible. Publicly, she seems to be making progress, but privately, she is still locked in a fight for her life. This is the beginning of a difficult but important story. 30 million people suffer from eating disorders in the United States, and every 62 minutes, someone dies as a direct result of an eating disorder. Sisterhood is about Sophie’s journey. The road to recovery is marked by daily struggles for survival, and the people you meet along the way. Tune in! Let me know if you like what you’ve heard so far 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: co-host Steph Spaulding drops by crazy early on a Saturday morning to talk about the novels we just finished reading. Commonalities: we are both wearing pajamas and we both loved our books except for the endings, which leads to a discussion of endings in general, and how, for writers everywhere, constructing a good ending is one of the greatest challenges. What are the elements of a good ending? Why are good endings so hard to write? Are sequels proof that writers and readers alike resist endings? Speaking of endings, how will we end the podcast? Tune in to find out! Listeners out there: write to us with your favorite book, movie, or television series ending at [email protected]. We will happily share your endings on the next MTTS. 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: “In the Field." Returning guest author Deborah Zervas reads three vignettes about time spent in remote places. Her experience of the wild's simultaneous profound connectivity and separation inform her writing, and her words transport us from of the everyday home and comfort zone to magical terra incognita. It should be noted that during this episode Charlie, my newly-adopted Westie, is curled under our feet, listening avidly to Deb’s recounting, especially when she gets to the part about being pulled by a canine pack on a dogsled into Canada. For those of you craving more of Deb’s work, visit muse.deborahzervas.com to uncover a unique motherlode of creative brilliance. And hey- what could be better than a thick, fabulously rich multigrain shortbread square along with a cup of tea on a cool spring day? Answer: nothing. For this this month only, you can go to jakesmomscookies.com and order up some of my dear friend and talented guest baker Lesley Rowe’s “Not Your Grandmother’s Shortbread.” 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: “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 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 on The Easy Chair: It’s another epic episode of Mightier Than the Sword, the advice podcast for writers! Co-host Stephanie Spaulding and I welcome returning fellow writer Deborah Zervas, who is poised to launch her blog ( http://muse.deborahzervas.com ). Deborah is a designer and artist as well as talented creative and technical writer and deep thinker, so she is not one to just slap a blog up and hope for the best. When it comes to the process of building a blog, Deb leaves no stone unturned, and in this episode Deb walks us through her method. It’s interesting, informative, and as always when the three of us get together, lively. Join us for this episode dedicated to all things blog. And, as always: any questions or insights, shoot them our way at [email protected]. We mean it when we say 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.