The Year in Writing 2017

Though in different ways, this year was as tough as last year. Maybe that’s just what it is.

I wrote seven installments of Test Prep, my contribution to The Terror Test, a horror podcast made by two fellow English teachers. I wasn’t able to write as many as I wanted to, but I’m proud of the work I do for the show and it indulges my interests in both philosophy and horror. I’m working on my first column for next year and it’s about one of my favorite movies, The Brood (1979).

In March, Jasper Lee’s Mirror of Wind LP was released. I played bass on “Asleep a Hundred Years,” which is the last recording and live music I’ve done. Jasper is a fabulous visual artist and musician.

I can’t ever get away from music, even though I feel like I try to every few years. Now my kids are learning music, here and there. Next month, I won’t be playing, but I will be writing about music again. More on that soon.

Also in March, Territory published “Nextdoor,” a collaboration with Mark Ehling. Mark is a superlative whatever-it-is-he-does. Our piece took on another life as part of the “Grow Up” exhibit at Wild Goose Creative.

I interviewed two fantastic poets this year: Emma Bolden and Ashley M. Jones.

I worked with Jason on a new volume of The Outrider Podcast. It’s a work-in-progress, and I think we’re getting closer to hitting a natural stride with it. I enjoyed our conversations on the difficulties of resistance, including how to define it, and on meditation.

And recently, I was happy to be a part of the Matchbook Journal series through Small Fires Press.

As always, thanks for reading! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!