It’s that time of year again where I get back in the habit of writing every day thanks to Threshold Theater in Minneapolis!
Answer to “How are you doing?” a la The Princess Bride:
Now where were we?
Oh, yes. The pit of despair!
Looking for a way to not feel so hopeless? I’m going to be posting mutual aid organizations that also won’t have anything to do with my writing!
Today I’d like to shout out Unite Against Book Bans! Unite Against Book Bans strives to stop the removal of reading materials from America’s libraries and schools, which has soared to record highs in recent years. Unite is working to defeat the vocal minority that seeks to impose their views on others by restricting the First Amendment right to read freely.
I will continue these highlights throughout the month of November so if you have an organization you’d like a shout out, let me know!
And now for my completely unrelated writing:
INTERVIEWER
I understand your call came in at a very hard time for you personally.
VI
My dad had been in a car accident. I got the call in the waiting room while he was in emergency surgery.
INTERVIEWER
And it was at that time you had to make the biggest, although probably also the easiest, decision of your life?
VI
Well, it wasn’t the easiest decision.
[INTERVIEWER visibly surprised]
Like with all life changing decisions there were lots of variables to consider and also some sacrifices… but as for the second part of your question, once Lowtown was made aware of my condition at the time of the call they understood that I wasn’t in a place to make an immediate decision about anything, much less change the entire trajectory of my life.
INTERVIEWER
I see.
/
[local radio station studio]
DJ
Miss Thea, it’s a pleasure to have you on the air. Your song Wrong Sender has been a big hit here on KSTP and we’re thrilled to get to know you a little better.
THEA
Of course. I’m humbled that people are connecting with my music and before we get too far into this, I’d like to publicly acknowledge and apologize to my former coworker Toby whom I did threaten to severely injure when I found out he was sending my song to the station song competition. Sorry Toby!
DJ
And thank you, from us radio listeners, Toby.
THEA
Yes, thank you.
DJ
So you were hesitant to put your song out there. Why was that?
THEA
Oh, I write and sing for me and I was worried that if I shared it I wouldn’t be able to get the release I used to.
DJ
And now?
THEA
For now, that isn’t the case. Sharing my music, connecting with people it speaks to, it’s given me a deeper connection with my work.
DJ
That’s wonderful to hear. Have any more work in the pipeline?
THEA
Yes and no. My process is still for me, so I’m always working on something but I want to make sure that anything else that gets put out there will be something that will foster connections like Wrong Sender does.
DJ
So I take it you won’t be sharing anything new today.
THEA
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t have anything to share even if I wanted to.
DJ
Fair enough. Let’s talk about this song hitting indie stations by storm. Who is the inspiration for Wrong Sender?
THEA
An old ex. My first girlfriend.
DJ
Do you think she’s heard it? What do you think her reaction to the song would be?
THEA
I honestly couldn’t say. She’s not in Nashville anymore so I don’t think that she would have the opportunity to hear but… I think if she has she might think I was unfair.
DJ
Unfair?
THEA
I think she would take issue with the sentiments, especially in the second verse about caring. I think, I mean, not to be too honest-
DJ
Please do.
THEA
I was the one who ended things, and I think she would say I’m not the one to say “guess we’ll never know” since I’m the reason we won’t.
DJ
I see. And how would you feel if you found out she had heard it?
THEA
I think I would be interested to know if she liked it.