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News: NY Press & Interview with GirlHabits

Since I’ve been busy with a project at work, I’ve had just one publication this month:

    Putting the F in F Train, New York Press, August 4

Plus, Carolina Baker over at GirlHabits interviewed me, and it was great fun!  Here’s the write-up.

News: July Publications

In case you missed them, here are the pieces I published this month.

    I’m Sick of Hearing About Motherhood, The Frisky, July 26

    I Hate Reading About Music, The Nervous Breakdown, July 25

    I’m Competitive, CNN Living, July 24 (Originally published in The Frisky, June 29)

    He Leaves His Imprint on Me Still, The Nervous Breakdown, July 11

News: CNN Living

My friends just alerted me that my Frisky article from last month, “I’m Competitive,” is now on CNN Living.

Haters, come and get it.

June publications

In case you missed them, here are the pieces I published this month.

    I’m Competitive, The Frisky, June 29
    Ghosts, The Nervous Breakdown, June 21
    I Want to Be Like My Dad, The Frisky, June 18

Annie Dillard Award in Creative Nonfiction

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve won Bellingham Review’s Annie Dillard Award in Creative Nonfiction!

It’s a real honor to be associated with a prize named for one of my favorite authors.  I read An American Childhood back in high school and was amazed – I’d never read anything like it before.  Not just an autobiography but interesting and quirky thoughts about science, art, and just growing up.  I still reread it occasionally.

My essay, “An Old Man on the Frontier Loses His Horse,” will be published in the Spring 2011 issue of the Bellingham Review.  I believe it will be online for a while but also available for ordering.

News: May Publications

In case you missed them, this month’s pieces. . .

Wrinkles in Time, The Nervous Breakdown, May 23

I’m Not Beautiful, and That’s Okay, The Frisky, May 18

Drawing Our Own Ghosts, Matador Life, May 17

Displaced, The Nervous Breakdown, May 9

Dear Mom, You Were Right About Everything (Almost), The Frisky, May 7

News: The Frisky, TNB

Work, April 21, The Nervous Breakdown

I Love Celebrating My Birthday Alone, April 19, The Frisky

News: Matador Life, TNB, The Frisky

The latest. . .

How the World’s Worst Boss Set Me Free, Matador Life, April 15

Love, Chinese Style, The Nervous Breakdown, April 8

Dealbreaker: He Said I Needed Grooming, The Frisky, April 8

Dollhouse: Mind, Body, Heart

I wrote this essay for a Dollhouse contest sponsored by Smart Pop Books.  I didn’t win – oh well! – but here’s the essay in full, as well as a list of the winners.  Congrats to the winners!


The first time I watched Dollhouse, I thought it seemed eerily familiar. The spacious rooms, the nice-looking people having lunch, everyone trying to be their best. Then I realized: the Dollhouse was my office.

For over ten years, I worked for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. At our peak, we had three buildings within four square blocks, each with its own cafeteria. We had our own branch of a major bank, a mailroom, and a doctor on the premises. We even had yoga.

All of our needs were met. We never had to leave.

I loved it. The place was like a second home. Every day I knew where I was going and what to expect. I’d take the same bus every morning, sometimes with the same people. I’d pick up a coffee and go to my floor where my desk and computer were waiting. I’d log in and check my email, my calendar for any meetings. I’d do my work. I’d do my best.

Last year, I quit my job to move to San Francisco with my boyfriend and write full-time. I enjoyed the idea of freedom more than the reality. For the first month, I wandered around like a dumb show. What would I do about lunch? My workouts? What if I needed a doctor? I had no health insurance and no one to take care of me. I wondered if I wanted back in with company, back with, essentially, the Dollhouse.

(Continued)

News

I just noticed my latest Frisky article, “I’m Glad My Husband Cheated,” is now on CNN’s website!

I was wondering why I suddenly got some new comments.