We know small business right? Maybe. Let’s say you had to open up a brick and mortar store anywhere in the world. It doesn’t have to be financially successful. What’s your shop, and where can I find it?
Honestly, I’d go all in on just a ridiculous concept store that could only exist in New York or some European city. A place where people would be skeptical of it and think “that’s gotta be a front” — like how I feel about this one store near me that’s only a skateboard and flower shop and has somehow stayed in business for years.
It’d be a cafe in the morning, wine bar at night, and we’d sell ceramics/glassware from my friends and local makers. We’d have DJs come play Thurs-Sat, and lit readings on weeknights. Basically a community space where my friends can come hang out anytime!!
It would be (annoyingly) “pay as you wish” and we’d periodically update our customers on how far we are from hitting our rent each month. I’ve seen some spaces outline exactly how much things cost and I eat that up.
I’ve pretended to be a writer, but never attempted to get paid for it. What’s something you can successfully pretend at AND get paid for?
Baking! I worked at bakeries for a couple of years while I got my freelance writing business off the ground, and got semi-okay at frosting cakes and making pie. But at home, my crusts have soggy bottoms like 80% of the time. So I don’t think I’m a natural by any means. I also learned how to use a kitchen torch, which was cool.
I’m so interested in people who grew up in Florida. Not unlike New York, I imagine that it is complicated and very diverse and easy to misinterpret. Give me some thoughts about your Florida experience that would surprise some people.
I imagine you feel similarly about Maine! There are the stereotypes and the hidden parts you feel tempted to keep to yourself.
People think of Florida and immediately picture South Florida/Miami life. A lot of jokes about alligators. I’m from the Panhandle (about an hour from the Georgia state line) & people are always surprised by how Southern it is culturally. We like to say: “The more North you go, the further South it feels.”
Tallahassee, my hometown, is a fairly progressive college town and it’s a beautiful place. People don’t expect canopy roads, hundreds-year-old live oaks, and tons of stunning, protected nature trails/state parks. I was big on trail running and kayaking while I lived there. I wish more people knew about North Florida as a vacation destination. Spend a few days driving the Forgotten Coast, hit the ice cream joint on the beautifully uncommercialized St. George Island, or an afternoon in Apalachicola throwing back oysters.
Also, the wealth inequality is intense. Florida is, in general, a place of extremes. I grew up poor and that felt normal for the most part until I got to high school.
You seem curious in the best ways imaginable. What’s something you’re learning right now, even if slowly?
That is the greatest compliment ever. I feel the same way about you. I’m taking a botany class online, so learning a fair bit of plant anatomy & praying it sticks in my brain. And writing a novel, which feels impossibly slow and difficult.
We’ve sung karaoke together and it was a Good Time. If your life had a theme song that played whenever you entered a room, what would it be?
Singing Robyn together was one of my best work outings in a long time. And I’m not just saying that because I drank a bunch of sake to summon up the courage to sing.
THIS QUESTION IS SO HARD. I know exactly what would play at the ending credits though. It’s this song called Rip It Up by Orange Juice. It’s so groovy with the bass synth. I was writing this rom-com script a couple of years ago — the pitch is it’s a queer love story where nothing bad happens — and never finished it but this song would also close out the movie in my mind.
Entering a room song though….hmmm. I’ve been obsessed with Ordinary Pain by Stevie Wonder lately. Or, It’s Gonna Be Lonely by Prince. A favorite.
Where she lives
Brooklyn, New York
Profession
Hot drink order
The classic cappuccino
Comfort content
Soothing videos of this man shaping bonsai
