My newest favorite book (because you can’t have just one favorite) is Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. I read it two years ago at the very beginnings of my autistic journey, and it just so happened that Tress is very autistically coded: logical, with justice sensitivity and special interests. While I’m sure it plays a factor into my love for this book, it is not the main factor.
I’m a sucker for falling in love with side characters, and Salay, helmswoman of the pirate ship Crow’s Song, is no exception. My favorite quote from the novel revolves around her:
“[Salay was] a woman who would not back down when the lives of her friends were at stake. Pray you meet such a woman at least once in your life. Then pray you get out of her way quickly enough.”
This quote perfectly captures Salay’s fierce loyalty and courage, and it also happens to be about when I started crying and wouldn’t stop until the end of the novel (I’m a happy crier). For me, there’s nothing quite as touching and heartwarming as Found Family, and the characters of Tress certainly develop an unbreakable bond.
In the novel, Tress adventures blindly out into the spore seas to rescue her love interest, Charlie, and ends up on a pirate ship. Through their adventures together (of which I’d love to say more but don’t want to risk any spoilers), Tress and the pirates become as tightly bound as a bowline holding down an open sail in high winds.
This quote also samples the wonderful humor of Tress. Inspired by The Princess Bride, the humor is a blend of witty and silly—at some points, even satirical—and it had me smiling and chuckling all the way through.
I recently read Tress with my husband, my Found Family, and he thoroughly enjoyed the story as well. When we got to this quote, Kalvin remarked that it reminded him of me—cue crying while reading Tress all over again.
Should you ever have slander to say about my book-friend Tress, pray you get out of my reach quickly enough.
~Erin Wedemeyer
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Our July 8th member meeting will be from 6:30 PM to 8:30 at the St. Matthews Library at 3940 Grandview Ave 40207.
If you would like a peer critique, email us () before July 8th at noon and describe your piece. Please bring 15 printed copies of the manuscript you want us to read. No more than 1300 words (4 to 4.5 pages double-spaced) for prose (excerpts of longer pieces welcome), or two pages of poetry.
To give all members an opportunity to read, priority for peer critiqu e will be given to those who email us ahead of time and who have not read at a recent meeting.
Our August meeting on the 12th will be at the same time & location.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
WRITING PROMPT
Friends that have become so close they feel like family are a truly special bond. Add in fierce loyalty and unstoppable determination, and you likely have a friend for the rest of your life.
Fiction: Write a scene that puts a character’s loyalty to their friend to the test, or a scene that shows friends’ bonds that are as close knit as family.
Poetry: Write about a friend who you view as family—how they make you feel, your favorite memory of them, things you associate them with.
Nonfiction: Tell us about the moment you considered a close friend of yours family, or a moment when your friend did something especially thoughtful and heartwarming for you.
~ Erin Wedemeyer
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Members, WWW wants to highlight the creative voices of our community. Send a short biography, headshot, and links to your author/poet accounts and website (if applicable) to . Additionally, share a favorite resource of yours for writing tips (like a podcast or social media account) and your most recent favorite read. We may spotlight you in a future newsletter!
WWW BLOG
Women Who Write has a blog on our website to showcase our community’s talent. We want to publish your writing or republish a recent publication of yours (given that reprints are permitted). Please send us your short stories, poems, and essays! No more than 2,000 words.
Browse our web blog now! Publishing on our blog will expand your writing platform. For more information, email and pitch your story or poem—the one you’ve written or the one you want to write! We may provide suggested edits, for flow and clarity.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES & LOCAL EVENTS
Nothing extra special this month! Be sure to check out the links to the regular events below.
Regular local events:
‘Zine Lunch with Sarabrande Books, monthly on Fridays at noon
Carmichael’s regularly hosts authors and poets in the evenings
Spalding & The Louisville Review’s Voice & Vision literary showcase
Become a member or renew your membership—As a community, WWW strives to nurture your writing life. We hope you choose to join or renew as a member and participate in our monthly meetings, author talks, retreats, and workshops. Our membership coordinator will notify anyone due to renew. Regular annual membership is $50. Student annual membership is $25. Scholarships are available. Membership entitles you to discounts on workshops and retreats.
Attend our monthly member meetings on the second Tuesday of each month for a brief program, peer critiques, and conversations about the writing life. Not currently a member? You can attend two meetings before deciding to join.
