Me Time
I Went to the Movies - Like at an Actual Theater
I didn't want to wait for Amazon Prime or any other streaming service to scoop up the new Aubrey Plaza film, "My Old Ass," because I love Aubrey Plaza (she was definitely the best thing about that atrocious Kristen Stewart Christmas film, "Happiest Season") and I love time travel and this movie has both!
The biggest surprise of the film was the breakout performance by Maisy Stella who played 18 year old Elliott during the summer before she left her rural Canadian home for university in Toronto. When the film opens we learn pretty quickly that young Elliott likes girls and is looking to hook up with a local barista. Then she and her two besties go off into the woods to do mushrooms. While her friends sleep, young Elliott is visited by 39 year old Elliott (Plaza) who tells her to avoid anyone named Chad.
And the film proceeds from there.
In many ways it's a typical coming of age story with a bit of a supernatural flavor. But what I took away, and what still stays with me, is how I (and those of us who are lesbians) have to come to terms with our own biphobia, when a coming out story isn't the usual--she always liked boys and then there's this girl and that makes her realize she's bi---but is instead the opposite--she likes girls, always has, but then....
This isn't the first film to take this on. And it made me want to re-watch Chasing Amy and Kissing Jessica Stein, both movies I hated when I first saw them many years ago. What would I think of them now? Would I feel okay or is there something about them that "My Old Ass" does better?
Then there's that scene in Go Fish where one of the friends in the group hooks up with a guy and she's effectively punished by her dyke friends. That movie came out in 1994 (30 years ago!) and may have been the first film to challenge us with this storyline.
"My Old Ass" reminded me that I have to do better. It's a lesson I'm likely to keep learning as a lesbian who came out in the 1970s and who's had to unlearn a whole bunch of things. I was reminded of this when I attended the panel on biphobia at the recent Golden Crown Literary Society conference , a session where a group of brave folks talked about their struggles in the Sapphic lit community.
I urge you to see "My Old Ass," if only because it's a lovely film and because it might make you think.
A Poll but not about the election
I created a poll (it'll take you a minute) to see if you're willing to receive this newsletter twice a month instead of monthly. I still have 49 items that didn't make it into this issue because who has the time to go through an incredibly (too) long newsletter. If it publishes twice a month I can keep up with the backlog and get you content in a more timely manner.
So please respond to the poll here:
Sapphic Lit and Other Book Stuff
National Novel Writing Month: Inside the A.I. controversy tearing a writing community apart.
Bestselling authors are distancing themselves from NaNoWriMo after the nonprofit released a statement that appeared to endorse the use of bots to write novels.
NaNoWriMo gets AI sponsor, says not writing your novel with AI is ‘classist and ableist’ – Pivot to AI
As well as widespread outrage from amateur writers — including disabled writers angry at being used as an excuse by these frauds — the published writers who’ve spent decades supporting NaNoWriMo are withdrawing support and quitting NaNoWriMo boards
How to Strengthen Our Story with Tropes - WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
Yet tropes are so common that we can’t avoid using them, so it’s better if we can learn how to benefit from them. How can we avoid the problems of tropes and instead use them to help strengthen our story?
7 Important Things I Wish Every Writer Knew – Writer Unboxed
When we’re wallowing in despair about our chosen career and questioning whether we really want to put ourselves through this heartache indefinitely, here’s what I want us to remember:
The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Writers: Powerful Lessons in Personal Sabotage | Jane Friedman
What follows are examples of how highly ineffective writers manage to twist Covey’s seven habits for positive change into powerful lessons on personal sabotage.
Should Your Novel Have a Prologue? - WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
let’s put prologues under the microscope, so you can make an informed choice on whether YOU should use one … let’s go!
The Future of Book Publicity, Part 1 (revised)
I want to lay out how I see book promotion evolving in the future.
(6) Do You Want Reviews or Sales? - by Kathleen Schmidt
A misconception by many people is that reviews lead to sales, and if sales aren’t brisk during the six to eight weeks after your publication date, your book is dead. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Book publishing is a long game, and it is better to have steady sales than a big splash and have the ship sink.
The Black List Helped Reshape Hollywood. Can It Change Publishing? - The New York Times
Aspiring novelists can now post manuscripts on the Black List, where they can potentially get discovered by the literary agents, editors and publishers who subscribe to the site.
Publishers, Authors Sue Florida Over Book Ban Legislation
Publishers Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster, and Sourcebooks, alongside authors Julia Alvarez, Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Jodi Picoult, and Angie Thomas are among those pursing litigation against public officials in the state. Also involved in the case are the Authors Guild, two parents, and two students.
News You Can Use
U.S. Census Reveals Sapphic Couples Love Rural College Town
The U.S. Census published a report on August 21 that breaks down information from the 2020 Census about where same-sex co-habitating couples live. In big news, queer men love cities like San Francisco and New York and queer women prefer counties with hiking, bookstores, and small coffee shops.
HRC president speaks at Democratic National Convention
Kelley Robinson shared family’s journey from slavery to freedom
Michigan AG To GOP And SCOTUS: "You Can Pry This Wedding Band From My Cold, Dead, Gay Hand" [Video] - Joe.My.God.
“I got a message for the Republicans and the justices of the United States Supreme Court. You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay, hand. And I’m retaining a lot of water, so good luck with that.” – Michigan AG Dana Nessel
Tim Walz and His Wife Gwen Took a Gay Student to an Indigo Girls Concert in the ’90s | Them
A spokesperson for Gwen Walz told the New York Times that she and her husband had grown close to a gay student at the Nebraska public high school where they taught.
Discussing The Dinah With Iconic Founder Mariah Hanson - Tagg Magazine
Mariah paved a path towards lesbian empowerment one dyke-filled pool party/music festival at a time. Today, The Dinah attracts more than 15,000 attendees, and showcases artists like Lady Gaga, Fletcher, Katy Perry, and Tegan and Sarah, to name a few.
Lezapalooza Camping Event for Queer Women Celebrates 4 Years - Tagg Magazine
Lezapalooza, a three-night camping retreat for queer women, unfolding in New Jersey September 26-29. There you’ll find not one lesbian in the woods, but hundreds.
Chappell Roan Dedicates Her VMAs 2024 Best New Artist Win to the “Queer and Trans People Who Fuel Pop” | Them
“I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me, and I dedicate this to queer and trans people who fuel pop, to the gays who dedicate my songs to someone they love or hate,” she said in her VMAs acceptance speech, which she read from her diary. “For all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you, I understand you because I am one of you. And don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you want to be.”
It’s Official: Chappell Roan Is About to Make Her ‘Saturday Night Live’ Debut | Them
the breakout lesbian pop star will make her SNL debut November 2
Chappell Roan Explained How Fame Has Completely Changed Her Dating Life | Teen Vogue
Roan, who came out as lesbian this year mid-show in Ohio, admitted that she’s been dealing with commitment issues stemming from her grappling with fame. “I met this girl that I really like, but [I] can’t commit because I feel like no one understands me. I don’t want to date another artist because they’re f*cking nuts. I’m so avoidant because I’m just like, ‘She’ll never get me. She’ll never get it,’” the star explained.
Swiftie Couple Met at Eras Tour Gets Engaged 1 Year Later (Exclusive)
Kayla McCarty was enchanted to meet Kat Messinger at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concert last June. It's been a love story ever since, and nearly one year later, McCarty just said "yes."
Jodie Foster Calls Her Wife Alexandra Hedison the “Love of My Life” While Accepting Her First Emmy | Them
she couldn’t leave the stage without dedicating her win to Alexandra Hedison, her loving wife of ten years. After telling her two sons to always remember the power of love and work, Foster concluded her acceptance speech with the touching words “to the love of my life, Alexandra Hedison, my wife.”
Sarah Paulson And Holland Taylor Talk Living Seperately
Sarah replied, "I have to clarify this. We don’t live together, meaning we don’t own a home together, but we’re together more often than we are not."
Julia Fox To Star In New Lesbian Movie 'Perfect' - GO Magazine
Unfortunately not a film adaptation of Kris Bryant's latest book. Fox will play a rich pregnant woman living out an “escapist fantasy” at a rundown lakeside resort in California, according to Variety. The LGBTQ romantic film is set in a time where climate change has contaminated the resort’s water supply.
Emma Corrin On Backlash For Being Queer And Nonbinary
"Even though we like to think we're in a progressive society, a lot of what we're seeing is increasingly a step back."'
Marsha Warfield dishes on 'Night Court' & how returning to standup inspired her to come out in her 60s - Queerty
its high-time we give her her flowers for being a trailblazing Black, LGBTQ+ voice in media. Which is why we were especially thrilled to set her featured in Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, Netflix‘s recent look at the legacy and activism of queer comedy, where she’s honored among many of her boundary-pushing peers.
Helpful Tools
(6) Writing tools for busy people - by Jeremy Caplan
recommended tools for various writing challenges
A Terrific Quote
Daily Inspiration | Inspiring Quotes
Maybe who we are isn't so much about what we do, but rather what we're capable of when we least expect it.