Well, are you having a brat summer? (a traditional Lughnasadh question)
on brats, power differentials, and some new offerings
One thing about me is: I’m not that cool. I was born old (as one of my poems says, a “baby crone”) and I’m often a late adopter to whatever everyone else is into. A couple months back, a fashion blogger posted about “brat green,” a color I recognized instead as Shrek green, for obvious reasons.
I saw all these unplaceable pixelated pastiches…
…before I actually saw the original album art they were riffing off of…
…which was thankfully before corporations ruined the gesture, as corporations are wont to do.
This Charli XCX album, brat, was released this summer, ergo people aspire to have “a brat summer.” I still don’t know exactly what that means to other people, but I’m happy for everyone.
It’s early August—we’ve passed the cross-quarter day between the summer solstice and the coming autumn equinox. Some people celebrate the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh on August 1st or 2nd, honoring the bounty of the harvest. Me, I become aware that summer is a fleeting resource I must continue to “harvest” for myself by actually doing the things I fantasize all year about being able to do (sit outside, not need sleeves, swim at the beach).
This summer, I’m also asking: How can I invite more “brat” into my life? Note that a brat is not an asshole. “Brat” invokes resistance to the losing side of a power differential. A child can be a brat; so can a pet. Your boss, who has power over you, cannot be a brat. At least not to you—only to a more powerful megaboss.
Last November, I got to chat with
about brattiness in my poetry. (Podcast here.) For me, noncompliance and small refusals have become essential aspects of my poetics—and my humanity. Because, in figurative and literal ways, I was not allowed to say “No” for long stretches of my life. I know I’m not alone in that, which is why I think “brat” is having A Moment right now.Questions/experiments/rituals:
If you’re someone who says “I’m sorry” out of habit even when you haven’t done anything wrong (example: someone politely asks to walk by you), try replacing it with “Excuse me.” If the unnecessary “sorry” slips out, how does it feel to mentally goad yourself: “Actually, I’m not sorry about that, why would I be sorry about that”? Can you be a little brat (to yourself) as a reminder that you can take up space, too?
What would it be like to live as an alter ego, even briefly? Poet and screenwriter Tommy “Teebs” Pico invented a poetry persona named “Teebs,” who was braver and cheekier than him (useful for giving readings) until he wasn’t. Who’s your alter ego? How do they move about their life? What they would they say in X situation, that you can only dream about (for now)?
After a few requests for alternative schedule options, I am now offering two versions of my Book Club Workshop! In addition to the live class, which meets on Tuesdays on Zoom and includes a visit from the authors, there is now an asynchronous, at-your-own-pace class with lecture topics and discussions posted on Wednesdays; this class covers the same material but, without the live discussions and author visits, is available at a discounted rate.
I also have a few new offerings up in my shop, including some I floated in a previous newsletter:
I hope you’re having a brat summer. Wishing you “No” as a full sentence, long lunches, audacious outfits, holding your reps accountable, saucy one-liners, and just giving yourself the little treat. We’re on this planet for only so long; we might as well relish it when we can.
If you’re looking for feedback on a completed book-length manuscript, stuck-in-the-middle book-length manuscript, or individual story or essay—or you’re looking for accountability and feedback while drafting your book-length manuscript—I’d love to work with you. You can fill out my contact form here, or just reply to this newsletter if you received it by email :)
"“Brat” invokes resistance to the losing side of a power differential" is so smart and satisfying as an observation.
Question.....is Shrek brat??