Hey there happy reader!

I hope you had a lovely July 4th holiday, complete with a barbeque (if that’s your thing), fireworks and family. We had a great day with our younger grandson swimming in the pool, swinging on a swing under a shady tree and sharing a lovely dinner. But ever since that afternoon, the heat index has been climbing here in the northeast, convincing me once more that I’m truly not a summer person! 

Give me fuzzy socks and cozy sweaters, a cold snap and a snowstorm any day!

If you’ve been following my newsletter in the last few weeks, you know that I’m going to a writer’s retreat next March in Guatemala, hosted by the author Joyce Maynard.

She’s currently on a book tour supporting the publication of her new novel, “How the Light Gets In,” which is the sequel to one of my all-time favorite stories, “Count the Ways.”

Joyce is a master writer. I’ve been reading her work since I discovered her New York Times column, “Domestic Affairs: Enduring the Pleasures of Motherhood” in the mid-1980’s.

She has an uncanny way of expressing her views to mirror the thoughts of other women who may be going through some of the same challenges that she faces with both humor and a calm sensibility. 

“Count the Ways” is such a relatable story of a woman, her marriage, her children and the big and small things that make up her life. It’s a top ten novel on my personal list.

When Joyce swung through New York, I knew I had to get to the event closest to me and introduce myself. I was nervous to finally meet this woman; even though we’d corresponded, and I knew that I was booked to attend her intensive workshop, I felt like a teenager at a Taylor Swift concert about to meet the megastar up close. I was thrilled and nervous at the same time.

I shouldn’t have been nervous. Joyce is generous, warm, welcoming, and she remembered that I spelled my first name with an “I” at the end – that meant something to me as I am always correcting that small detail for others.

It made me all the more excited to travel to Central America to spend a week with her and a group of women writers next spring, soaking in any and all advice she has for me!

She spent a lot of time after the reading and Q&A signing books, personalizing each one.

Joyce has lived quite the life – read her memoir “At Home in the World” for the details – but her connection with her readers is truly special. If she’s stopping anywhere near where you live (dates and places for her book tour are on her website, joycemaynard.com) I highly suggest you try to attend. You’ll be hooked on her writing. I know I am.

What or who inspires you?
I have a list, and it keeps growing!