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Atartine's avatar

Stella!!! I went to a masterclass with Julian Lage (jazz guitarist) years ago and this reminds me so much of what he said about his creative process. He called it “window shopping”- just exposing yourself to lots of different ideas and skills and techniques and styles without putting any pressure to know exactly how you’re going to use them later.

Sue Burpee's avatar

A lovely post, Stella. You are a great writer, and I speak as a retired creative writing teacher. Love the idea of "stealth skills".... we have all developed many of them along the way. I learned everything I know about horses from reading Trixie Belden when I was a kid. Ha. Keep up the good work. :)

Evie Abat's avatar

Hi, Stella! Great post. I, too, have a Hawaiian Punch story. I can reframe it, too, as a GenXer now, as being a courageous, resourceful, and highly focused 6yr old with acting abilities…I was gonna get that McD’s Shamrock Shake (it was a St. Paddy’s Day special. You just had to be there. Limited time, of course), even though my cousin and I were told to stay in the house, by my older brother, who was babysitting us. There were brothers to deceive, a main thoroughfare to cross, money to acquire, orders to place with strangers. And by god, I forced my nervous cousin to sit at that McDs and enjoy that shake, like we belonged! Thx so much for this!

Sincerely Mama Mac's avatar

Stella! What a great piece. When I look back on my life I see a life of adventures, bold moves that at time didn’t seem bold and a life for the most part well lived. I have gotten so lost being a mom, a wife etc. ( okay maybe not lost but I cannot think of another word) that I’ve forgotten. Reading Almost Reckless has woken me up. Truly! It’s really refreshing to listen to your generation having these conversations. Xoxo

Jim Berrien's avatar

Such a great riff love your writing and your book