Being inspired by the moon is as old as time. Writing about or around the moon, the same. The thing I strive for is to find a new angle. A new way to write about it that hasn’t been done before. I suppose all good writing stems from that–how can I spin it and steer it with a fresh take? That is what my newest work in progress is about–a 12 year old girl named Corelle who is tasked with saving her town. With the help of the moon. And then some. This novel is falling out of me in disorganized chunks. I always start with an outline, and sometimes I can stay on track. But most of the time, my brain just wants to detour. So I go with it. Then I piece it all together later. Back to the moon. She is huge and bright some nights. Other nights she is modest and simply tickles the sky like a feather. I’ve learned so much about her history and landscape too from: “The Moon Book” by Sarah Faith Gottesdiener. Science and art meet. It’s a wonderful resource. 

We’re all transitioning to fall, except for my friends here who live in Australia. I see you! What are your rituals or routine?. For me, something as simple as changing tablecloths marks the new chapter of the year. Our summer as a family was extremely active, and now we start to slow down in certain ways. In other ways, we amplify. Once the heat dissipates, I breathe more deeply. I know I’m not alone in that. Do you look forward to spending more time with family? Friends? Will you have friends closer, or will it be impossible with your daily schedules?

Lately, I have been really re-examining Dolores O-Roirdan and her vocals. The Cranberries. She is really important to me and my past. I find The Cranberries to be one of the most underrated bands. Her vocals are both painful and soft, stabbing and whisper-like. She rocked, then she comforted. Zombie is just a hit. Dig deeper, if you want to see. At the end, I will attach an example of her genius. She created up until the end of her life.  

I want to boost and give a major shout out to Kathy Curto this newsletter. Her book, “Not For Nothing” is a quick and really rich read of the memoir flavor. Buy it on Amazon or through her press, Bordighera Press. She writes about her childhood in NJ as an Italian-American, and it’s never quite what you’d expect. Which always means a winner for me. As a reader, I love to be jolted and taken by surprise by the author’s truths. No holding back, or I will put the book down. I couldn’t put this book down. There are uncomfortable truths and lovely sketches of what it’s like. 

Be well this fall and I will see you soon with many updates on my debut, “Italian Bones in the Snow” by Vine Leaves Press, 2/22/22. If you aren’t subscribed to my newsletter (I only send it every couple of months, click on the subscribe button on my website) xoxoxo

Here is Dolores. She was a diamond and I miss her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6diWXbIXCU
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Elaina