Elizabeth Gilbert and I had a moment.
Plus two writing classes (you should join me!)
A few weeks ago, I spent two whole days with Elizabeth Gilbert.
Well… me and a few hundred other people. But honestly, we had a moment and I want to tell you about it.
First, for context, I have to tell you something that’s going to sound (is) gross and douchey. Here it is: I used to work in Hollywood and I’ve hung out with celebrities. I know! Gross. So cringy. I told you! The point I want to make is this: I can (pretend to) be super chill around famous actors.
Since moving to London, I run into Colin Firth all the time and I’ve never once made it weird. For that matter, I can’t step foot into Hampstead Heath without running into Ricky Gervais, but then neither can anyone else, so that’s nothing special.
But put me in front of a writer I admire and I will Totally Freak Out. For instance, I met Joanna Penn coming out of the toilet stall at the London Book Fair and I got so flustered that I started flapping my arms like a chicken and squawking Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh! I know you! I love you! I just heard your talk! I follow you on Patreon! You’re so cool! She was so sweet. She just giggled and said “Oh! Wow! OK! Thank you for your enthusiasm!” which honestly is the most gracious thing she could’ve said in that moment. The poor woman hadn’t even washed her hands yet.
Anyway, back to Elizabeth Gilbert and our moment.
Yes, I was standing in the balcony and she was on stage. But even so, during one of the sessions, she LOOKED ME IN THE EYES, PUT HER HAND ON HER HEART AND NODDED AT ME.
I shit you not. I nearly fainted!
Now that Liz and I have connected (it’s probably more of a one-way connection), this weekend I’m going to re-read Eat Pray Love and Big Magic and see what kind of new insights I can glean… xoxoxo
Remember a while back when I said that I needed to stop taking writing courses and just finish the damn book? Well… this week I signed up for two more writing courses. In my defense, I was sick with Covid for half of April and I completely lost my writing mojo (in addition to my sense of taste and smell). I need to do something fun and social to help me re-build momentum.
Hey writer friends - you should join me! Both of these classes run through May:
1. Craft Compelling Personal Essays via London Writers Salon. This course is led by one of my favourite humans, Lindsey Trout Hughes. If you don’t follow her beautiful substack, you should:
.2. Writing Essays About Travel & Food with
. This class looks really fun!I've never seen any life transformation that didn't begin with the person in question finally getting sick of their own bullshit. - Elizabeth Gilbert
Looking forward to having you in class, Laurie!