15 Comments
User's avatar
Amanda N's avatar

Makes me think of this James Baldwin quote: "Every writer has only one story to tell, and he has to find a way of telling it until the meaning becomes clearer and clearer, until the story becomes at once more narrow and larger, more and more precise, more and more reverberating.”

Expand full comment
Mary Carroll Moore's avatar

Always loved this quote.

Expand full comment
Kari Luna's avatar

"Same agony and joy, same neuroses, same exhilaration." Ha ha! Loved this! I've been circling old themes a lot lately, too, and it's exhilarating! It cracks things open. Thanks for writing this -- you're right. Feeling freer in the work helps me feel freer in the world. Doing a little #1000words starting tomorrow for a week because that also helps me feel free. Excited for your book and events!

Expand full comment
Mary Carroll Moore's avatar

After three novels I seek an definitely see repeats in my work. But mostly along the lines of repeating themes. Stuff I never get tired of probing like the concept of found family outside our biological one or the different kinds of love relationships women can have for and with each other. What it takes to build a family. All this echoes in my work and it’s pleasing to see those echoes.

Expand full comment
Jami Attenberg's avatar

Yes. It feels good to see their return, right?

Expand full comment
Mary Carroll Moore's avatar

Definitely. They’re good friends. Life journeys.

Expand full comment
Susanna Schrobsdorff's avatar

Congratulations Jami, don't know you but feel like I do, and it's a pleasure to see such a robust book tour! Yay.

Expand full comment
Jami Attenberg's avatar

Thanks!!

Expand full comment
Timothy Deer's avatar

"whatever, it’s free, so not that sorry" legit LOL.

I love how we can free ourselves with our own thoughts. Here's to more of that!

Expand full comment
Barb Natividad 🇵🇭🇺🇸's avatar

The novel I’m working on began as a short story many years ago. Then it turned into a memoir, then it turned into a novel!

Expand full comment
Jami Attenberg's avatar

that sounds so invigorating!

Expand full comment
Olivia Barry's avatar

Congratulations! 🎊 👏👏 Your book tour looks amazing. If I'm in NY in January, I'll be there. And loved this post, so agree with everything.

Expand full comment
Rosemary Porto's avatar

I wish you’d come to Boston. Please???

Expand full comment
Jami Attenberg's avatar

I can only go where my publisher pays for me to go or if an organization pays for me! That's how book tours work. :)

Expand full comment
Rosemary Porto's avatar

I know that you can’t pick and choose. I just would love to meet you and I won’t be in Brooklyn ( my hometown) in January. Have a blast on your tour! You deserve it.

Expand full comment