A Bookstore Tour Across America, a New Podcasting Platform from Zibby Owens, and Much More!
Your weekly roundup from the editors of Moms Don’t Have Time to Write
We’re back with another edition of One Last Thing, the newsletter from Moms Don’t Have Time to Write, taking a look at the stories, columns, and advice from the week that was.
While many people would not view the Real Housewives franchise as anything more than trashy reality television, Ilona Bannister used it as inspiration for her first novel. As she wrote about a mother caught in a downward spiral, Ilona was so enraptured with the parallels in Teresa Giudice’s very real life that she wove the Real Housewives of New Jersey’s storyline into her award-winning book: “Like so many other moments in my life, I couldn’t have gotten there without my friends, my Housewives.”
In this week’s grief column, Kim Fairley shares her surprise when her dying mother claimed to have had no regrets in her life, despite raising her kids in an unconventional — and occasionally unstable — manner. But upon reflection at her mother’s bedside, Kim realized what’s most important: “I loved her. And in that moment, that was all that mattered.”
On the intimate side of life, our resident sex educator, Tracey Cox, tackles your pressing questions about her best advice for dating offline, how to reassure your partner that the only problem with his penis is his own insecurity about it, and why virtual sex may differ from the sex you have IRL.
Have you heard the news? Zibby has launched a new podcast production company and network called Zcast! Featuring original, intimate shows designed to enrich, inspire, and improve listeners’ lives, Zcast productions will entertain and educate — making them worth your time!
Natalie Silverstein returns this week, inviting us all to try five new ways to spread love this upcoming Valentine’s Day. From aiding children in need and seniors isolated from their loved ones to offering dignity to women in crisis and support for veterans around the country, Natalie presents concrete steps to show those in your community just how much you care.
In this week’s Friday Feature, Morgan Baker writes about a cross-country road trip that offered her the chance to support independent bookstores throughout America. As her family made the move from Hawaii to Boston, Morgan decided to stop at as many book shops as possible and document herself at each of them. The result? “I thought being stuck in a small car with my husband might get irritating, but we actually made a good team.”
And finally, for those of you who need a touch of encouragement this weekend, read Brendan Slocumb’s advice in our Wake Up and Write column. After writing his debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, in just 2.5 months, Brendan expertly advises other writers to not worry about the first draft.
“Just go ahead and write it. Get it out of the way.”
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Warmly,
The Editors
