Experiments in the Art of Mastering None
When I think of what it means to “have taste,” my mind immediately conjures images of outward refinement: a shirking of excess, an elevated coolness, and a curtailing of expression, culminating in just the perfect amount of artistic and intellectual snobbery to satisfy one’s professional and social circles. I don’t particularly like that my mind … Continue reading On Taste
I have a difficult time conceiving of my creative and intellectual abilities, or anyone else’s, in terms of distinct aptitudes. I think, instead, that our skills and proclivities are constantly evolving, unfolding, and overlapping in such an untidy fashion that, to define ourselves by a series of clear-cut abilities (and inabilities) can not be only … Continue reading In the Middle
This isn’t a post about beauty standards or body image. It’s a post about coping with the reality that we—both women and men—are constantly subjected to an array of internal and external standards regarding our physical appearance. Some of those standards matter. Others aren’t deserving of our attention (even though ignoring them can be easier … Continue reading Appearances Matter.
I shall call myself the madam of a house of literary prostitution. – Anaïs Nin I am the chattel of the sensual, mistress of the ecstatic, servant of a ripened imagination. I shall call myself a seductress, a courtesan of temptation. I am a voyeur of the most violatory order. I am a maker of … Continue reading Pillow Talk #2: Madam
Several years ago, when I was applying for graduate school admissions, I visited a former English professor asking for a letter of recommendation. We had a nice meeting, and during our chat, he made a remark about his students that was puzzling enough, to me, to have made an indelible impression: “All of the English … Continue reading On Choosing Your Mentors
Until now, I have shared with you a number of my thoughts on creativity, intelligence, and on the balancing act required to live a thoughtful, creative life. What I have not done is share any of my creative work with you (at least, outside of that required to design a blog post). Writing is, undoubtedly, … Continue reading Pillow Talk #1: “Tangerines,” an Erotic Vignette
It is true that the majority of wisdom is gleaned from experience. It is also true that experience is the bitterest of all teachers. But, for those of us who can’t shake the urge to continually experiment with new ideas—to take them out into the world and “test them out” or “try them on for … Continue reading For the Experimenter in All of Us
