Sign up for tomorrow's "Somatic Sometimes" in-person class, Friday August 15, 4:15 p.m. in 222 SE 8th Ave, PDX. For a 20% off coupon code: TINYLOVE20
Hello Reader,
At a Livelihood Northwest business networking event, there were name-tags with cute fill-in-the-blank prompts. Mine said “I have been thinking a lot about…” I wrote “community.”
In 2020, I took my first essay writing class with author Emilly Prado which led to the first essay seed for what, five years later, and a couple hundred pages in, I admit is a book in progress.
In 2021, I wrote for two weeks in author Jami Attenberg’s “1000 Words of Summer,” an annual writing accountability challenge. I wrote the start of what would become “The Rats Survive,” an essay published in 2022 by Roxane Gay’s The Audacity.
In 2022, a text message from Emilly encouraged me, in the midst of a very challenging personal time, to follow through on applying for grad school. As of 2024, I have an MFA in Creative Writing at Randolph College (best decision ever).
Jami Attenberg shares on personal accountability and community, “There is no grand mystery. Just show up for yourself, decide what is important to you, and then begin.”
Last month I saw Jami speak at Literary Arts. I chatted with her about the book project I plan to finish a solid draft of this year. She signed my book with “Finish it.”
This roller coaster summer, I am grateful for my personal creative discipline which includes noticing how to support my body-mind for a sustainable creative practice.
I am grateful to support people as a somatic coach and facilitator with somatic and creative practices to carry forward.
I am grateful for co-accountability weekly check-ins with Margaret Malone to lift up our writerly dreams; a DIY writer’s retreat with friends where I dove deep into my book (thank you Evan, Acamea, and Margaret); and for dear loved ones who we celebrate each other’s wins and witness our heartbreak.
When we feel safe in community, we can show up vulnerable, imperfect, brimming with dreams made more possible in each other’s presence.
Reflection
Who and/or what makes your dreams (for your life and the world) more possible by their presence? Can you nourish that connection a little bit today?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
Sign up for tomorrow's group class, Friday August 15, in-person at REVEAL Healing Arts at 4:15 p.m. PT. Class will last an hour. Coupon code: TINYLOVE20 for 20% off. I have a couple fully funded spots if you need one, just message me.
I’ll be performing music at a Songwriter’s Circle, curated by Kjirsten Tornfelt on the early evening of August 17, outside on the back patio of Replicant Bar & Bottle Shop at 7033 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR. It’s a super sweet outdoor space, with delicious cocktails including NA drinks, and vegan pizza, snacks, etc.
Community & Care
Writer humans I love: Margaret Malone, author and writing coach. Acamea Deadwiler, author and writing coach. Emilly Prado, author, DJ, speaker and consultant. Evan Mallon, writer and Randolph MFA community liaison.
Kaia Wilson has a new Substack called Miscellgayneous that includes delightful comics and Homoscopes. Kaia is not only an inspiring musician in Team Dresch, but also a certified dog trainer who changed our life with our sweet but reactive dog.
Job themed resources: If you, like me, are suddenly unemployed, whether due to lay-off's, budget cuts, the political climate, etc. maybe these resources will be helpful. Severin Wiggenhorn's newsletter Climb and Pivot on job search and career growth advice; Suleika Jaouad on Self Employed, Self-Exhausted; Dua Lipa's Service 95 on how to get a job in the arts. I loved this post on 16 Workplaces That Break Autistic and AuDHD People, And what to try instead! Sam Vander Wielen has a great book about online entrepreneurship, as well as a great podcast. Also a few tips on how to protect yourself from a toxic boss.
Soft Pants for Your Mind
Mal Waldron’s song “All Alone.”
MARO's soothing music, Tiny Desk Concert.
Here’s a pizza poem because poetry is everywhere, plus a reminder to come get vegan pizza at my music show on August 17 at Replicant Bar & Bottle Shop.
Humor piece on Ten Good Reasons to Become a Writer.
Notes & Citations
https://livelihoodnw.org/
https://1000wordsofsummer.substack.com/p/what-i-know-about-accountability
Let’s resource! Let’s play! Let’s happen to notice, together.
In peace,
Vanessa Micale
Founder of Poderosa Voz LLC
(she, they, ella)
P.S. You can show your support by sharing this micro-newsletter with a friend, or you can send me a digital tip and treat me to a pastry.
P.P.S. Sharing resources is one of my love languages. Is there a resource related to somatic and creative realms you want to see or you know of? Hit reply and let me know.
