Come As You Are Conversations

Off the Page with Paul Crenshaw

Ever wish you could have a conversation with one of your favorite writers? A conversation where you could ask about their writing habits, what inspires them, what their editing process is like, or if they ever want to throw their laptop across the room? Me, too! This has been on my mind for a while, and I decided to do something about it. We need some good things to happen, too, don’t you think?

I’m especially interested in the action of sitting down to write. I know what I do every day, what it feels like when I put my ass in the chair, what happens on days when the words flow, and days when I feel like I’m digging in the dirt with a plastic fork - but I am really curious about how it is for other writers. Especially the ones whose writing breaks my heart, or makes me snort-laugh, or think about something in a way I haven’t before.

I am very excited to announce Come As You Are Conversations, Off the Page with writers I love. These will happen once a month if things go according to plan. To my utter delight, first up is the fantastic Paul Crenshaw.

I share Paul’s work so much because I can’t stand the idea that anyone I care about would miss it. He wrote an essay recently, and the rhythm and pacing were so insane I said dang out loud to no one in my den. I don’t do that often. Also, he speaks to my Gen X soul. That is going to be our umbrella topic, Growing up Gen X.

We’ll talk about the way the zeitgeist of the 80’s - music, books, film, messages about gender, fear of quicksand, razors in apples, nuclear war, and men in white vans who wanted to show you their puppies - had an impact on us and, inevitably, the things we write about. It’s going to be a really good time. Word to your mother.

When: This Thursday at 5:30pm PST, which is 7:30pm CDT and 8:30pm EST.

Where: On Substack! Subscribers will get a notification over email and in the app if you happen to be in the app. But life being what it is, maybe put an alert in your phone? This talk will be open to everyone while we’re live, and available for paid subscribers after.

Paul Crenshaw is the author of the essay collections This One Will Hurt You, published by The Ohio State University Press, and This We’ll Defend, from the University of North Carolina Press. His third collection, on the Cold War culture of the 1980s, Melt With Me: Coming of Age and Other 80’s Perils is published by The Ohio State University Press and can be purchased on their website. Other work has appeared in Best American Essays, Best American Nonrequired Reading, The Pushcart Prize, Oxford American, Glimmer Train, Tin House, and Brevity.

In case you wondered if it was easy to hold two books in your left hand and make sure the titles and author’s name were visible, the answer is no.

You can find Paul on Substack at Melt with Me and if you haven’t subscribed yet, are you really even living? I think this is a legit question.

Photo credit: my daughter. I made her take this as we were driving by.

Hope to see you Thursday! You can wear pajamas, we won’t be able to see you.