Growing in Empathy
October 10, 2020, Newsletter Volume #14
Greetings, Readers and Writers,
We hope this newsletter finds you settling into the month of October, full speed ahead. We still haven’t figured out a good way to feature weekly stories, so we’re doing something even more exciting.
Starting this week, we are going to designate one of the AoE publication tabs with a weekly Star Writer. The tab will direct readers to all of the stories this writer has published in AoE. This will hopefully drive more readers to the Star Writer’s work.
This week’s Star Writer is Melissa Bee. Melissa has contributed poetry, essays, an interview with co-editor, Shanna Loga, the first writer biography for AoE, and even a recipe. Congratulations, Melissa! Support Melissa by going to her tab and reading her stories. And, be on the lookout next week for a new Star Writer. It could be you!
In Gratitude, Aimée and Shanna, Editorial Team
Writing Prompt
Readership is an important piece of the equation in being a successful writer on the Medium platform. That means both finding readers who enjoy your work and following writers whose work you enjoy. This week, take some time to read some of your favorite Medium writers and/or find some new ones. When you find a story or poem that inspires you, run with it — create a new story or poem of your own. Be sure to tag the writer who inspired you in your new story.
Writer Bios and Interviews
Find inspiration for your writing your own writer bio and/or interviewing a fellow writer by going to the Writer Bios and Interviews tab on the AoE homepage.
This Week’s Stories
Every writer appreciates the readers who enjoy their work. Please take a few moments and read at least one piece from each category. Clap, highlight, and comment. Support the hard work of AoE writers.
Essays
Tina L. Smith A Talk With the Trees — Seeking Secrets
“What kind of tree would you be?” the famed journalist once asked. But the question is unclear. What kind of tree would I be if I were one now, or what kind of tree would I aspire to be?
Carolyn Riker What to Do When You Are Seeking Emotional Intimacy
To me, emotional intimacy is like a wild river in that it navigates the twists, curves, and complexities in a relationship.
Aimée Gramblin Louise Glück Wins the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature
Louise Glück was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature today, October 8, at an announcement from Stockholm, Sweeden.
An Amazing Private School in 1990s Oakland Widened My Worldview
I experienced uncomfortable conversations about race in 7th and 8th grade. I’m sure that has made me better able to navigate uncomfortable — and vitally important — conversations about race as an adult.
Kate Lynch “You Are Not Welcome Here”
Understanding or not, the words burn. It was uncomfortable to have to pass such a loud and clear statement that I’m unwelcome, every time I returned to the home that I’ve loved and felt safest at ever since I was 2. The knots would form in my throat and belly, wondering “What have they added this time?” The sign grew over the years to celebrate the current president, and to comment on various local issues.
Bingz Huang Witness the Power of Forgiveness in the Big Bang Theory
After feeling betrayed and disappointed by his mother’s lack of affection again, Leonard finally accepts himself for who he is, even though he might never fulfill his mother’s expectations of him.
Melissa Bee How to Make The Best Pumpkin Chicken Noodle Soup — A Homemade Recipe For the Soul
When the kids start complaining of an itchy throat, or their noses start running, I will give them extra vitamins, fluids, and a full day of this soup. They always wake up feeling better the next day!
Caitlin Vestal On Mothering, or How I am Just Barely Making It Through
Some mornings are just like this. Our son wakes up hours before he’s actually rested, I try to coax him back to sleep, we concede daytime at 6 am, and then I go get my husband and climb back into bed myself.
Em Unravelling It’s All About Learning How to Fall
The joy of fell running comes from being out in nature, feeling the seasons turn around us, recognising how tiny and insignificant we are against the rugged landscape.
Elan Cassandra At 30, I’m About to Become a Big Sister Again
When I was small, I was that child who needed a little brother or sister and started asking for one as soon as I knew what babies were.
Fiction
Pretheesh Presannan The Old Man and the Missing Dog
The dog chased the bus with all its strength. All he could do was to wish that the dog would return back home; it was a crucial day for him in the court regarding the final hearing of a case.
As days passed he realized that all that he lost was worth losing except the dog.
Leo understood why Sen took interest in writing stories and that he was also probably wrongly convicted, like himself.
Poetry
Lucy (the eggcademic) How to Grow Through Powerful Storytelling
To tell your story for the first time without interruptions, without being reframed, without gaslighting —
Yes, the present is a tyrant who wants me to believe that time is a straight and narrow line.
I am loved by the windswept cliffs by the pebble beaches by the slate grey sea that kisses me salty and clean
Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers The Mystical Dragonfly
Like a rainbow, they can be purple and gold, With wings so intricate — there is no match,
Carolyn Riker This is Where My Hum is Holy
I used to think, if I stood in a circle with a hundred thousand wings, would you then notice me?
Uncertainty roams around sweeps all dirt and unpredictability across our beating moments,
Did you know?
For now, Age of Empathy considers previously self-published drafts.
The Numbers: Age of Empathy now has 217 followers and 72 contributors! We continue averaging over 100 visitors per day to the Age of Empathy publication. Thank you for your support as both writers and readers.
Join our Facebook group for building community and sharing work.
New Contributors
Welcome aboard to these new Age of Empathy contributors: Stella Brüggen | Tina L. Smith
Please help continue spreading the word about AoE. We are proud of our empathetic, diverse, inspirational content. Let’s lift each other up.
Age of Empathy Contributors:
Julene Cole|Kat of Magik | Melissa Bee | Owais Ali | Denise G | Shanna Dean| Em Unravelling | Raihana Rahman Nazifa | TanyaIv | Ashley Shannon | INFJ Elder | Anita Nahal | AJ Krow | Uma Bode | Connie Song | Alyssa Nicole Maaño | Galit Birk, PhD | Aimée Gramblin | Julene Cole|Kat of Magik | Melissa Bee | Owais Ali | Denise G | Em Unravelling | Raihana Rahman Nazifa | TanyaIv | Lucy (the egg girl) | Victor Lau | Shanna Loga | Adriana Sim | Aeril Trinidad | Amy Cubbon | Evince Uhurebor | Lynne Nardizzi | Vaidehi Telkar |Anne Chisom | That’s Jacqueline | Bingz Huang | Halimah K. | Eunice Gikonyo, Msc Psychology | Katia Filatov | Anna da Silva | G.Lodhia M. Edu | Ebrahim Haque Bhatti | Qalam | Salma Alaa | Sashawne Smith | shanu sadhwani | Kate Lynch | Paige Powell | Alice Toneatto | Tracy Luk | Carolyn Riker | Aamna I. Rizvi | Michael Whalen | Suntonu Bhadra | Roxana Anton | Veronica Skye | Ailsa Bristow | Roger Skibowski | Ana Ryan| Kylie Craft | Fareeha Arshad | Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers | Jezebel | Mahmudul Islam | Maria Ines Montenegro | Anu Anniah | Pretheesh Presannan | Jonathan Isbill MS, RDN | Penofgold | Nicholas Freedman | Elan Cassandra | Caitlin Vestal | Dean Middleburgh | @Emily Smith | Stella Brüggen | Tina L. Smith