I’m naturally shy. So I was quite trepidatious (while being simultaneously bowled over by gratitude) when The Free Press decided to publish an essay of mine in August. I was again chuffed and delighted when they recently asked me if I’d be willing to create an audio version of the piece for the Honestly podcast—though I was slightly nauseated at the thought of recording my voice. (Part of the reason I love learning different accents and languages is that they disguise my real voice, creating personae that are somehow removed from myself.) This very same shyness and tendency toward the comfort of privacy led me to have some misgivings about starting a Substack, an activity which felt like publishing things that are not meant for circulation (how I generally feel about the Internet!).
But at every step of the way I’ve had the heartening guidance I needed to keep going from the team of hard-working journalists and producers at The Free Press and Honestly. I loved revisiting the written word with an ear for the sensibilities of prose read aloud, the audience, the new medium. I am especially indebted to Margi Conklin, whom I so admire for her literariness, kindness, and professionalism—and for her New Year’s resolution to once again read for pleasure under the lilacs.
