"This is the time we're upon"

The quote is from Francesca Lia Block’s marvelous WITCH BABY, a story of a strong, strange girl who meets pain and loss head-on. It’s one of the books I’m rereading right now, along with WATERSHIP DOWN, RIDDLEY WALKER, and SMILLA’S SENSE OF SNOW, all novels that confront chaos, understand fear, and shine light, making them good companions for this time we’re upon, an unprecedented time around the world, a time of being watchful, helping when we can, keeping each other as safe as we can.

If my own work has ever entertained you, comforted you, distracted you, in a time when you needed those things, please know that I’m grateful. More than ever, I understand that writing is a conversation, and when we’re in the dark it’s good to hear another voice.