By Erika Grumet I’ve been staring at blank pages for days, deadlines lurking right around the corner on my calendar… wandering between in a funk because I can’t think of what to write about and Kermit-arm-flailing panic that the words are never going to come back. I don’t exactly think of it as “writer’s block”Continue reading “Writer’s Block: Bad Days are Easier”
Category Archives: Pretty Words about Ugly Things
Watch/Listen/Read
Erika writes: I’ve had an interesting week battling something like writer’s block and keeping an impending migraine at bay. Hints of the writer’s block accompanied the candy fumes of last week, but I wasn’t prepared for how awful it would make me feel when it actually arrived! Hours of staring at blank screens, often withContinue reading “Watch/Listen/Read”
A Few of Our Favorite Things: LGBTQ+
After a year of podcasting and six months of writing and editing essays for this website, Adam and Erika are leaving the Ivory Tower Boiler Room at the end of November. We’re sad to go, but also eager for whatever comes next. This is not the end of our adventure in writing, of course. YouContinue reading “A Few of Our Favorite Things: LGBTQ+”
Real Isn’t How You Were Made, It’s Something That Happens to You
The other night, while I was trying to get some writing done, and really struggling, and had gone through all of my usual techniques for getting my head into the right place, I took a break, and stuck this little note to my keyboard. I’ve talked a lot about not being a “real writer.” I’veContinue reading “Real Isn’t How You Were Made, It’s Something That Happens to You”
I’m Queer. Please Pass the Peas?
By Erika Grumet A few weeks ago, a thirteen year old I know showed up at my house wearing a t-shirt that read:“Bisexual Trash Panda.” Even before I was a parent, I knew adolescent sexuality pretty well–years of teaching about HIV and STIs, contraception and LGBTQ101 gave me a lens into that topic longContinue reading “I’m Queer. Please Pass the Peas?”
Big Think: I’m Going to Use the R-Word (and it’s ok if you do, too)
Editor’s Note(s):1. You may be wondering why Erika is writing another Big Think in October. Andrew and Mary have been stepping back from the Big Think this month because of other duties, and Erika has been especially prolific lately, so we decided to just make the switch.2. The “writing mentor” mentioned in this piece is,Continue reading “Big Think: I’m Going to Use the R-Word (and it’s ok if you do, too)”
Erika’s Big Think #6: The Story I Never Told my Grandmother
By Erika Grumet My grandmother was known for entertaining guests; in fact, the stone at her grave makes note of her skill as a hostess. I recall standing in the kitchen with my mother, while we were preparing the house to sit shiva* for her. I was busy getting the table organized, setting up coffee,Continue reading “Erika’s Big Think #6: The Story I Never Told my Grandmother”
Speak Up, It’s Saturday
Adam (who created the Big Cat, Little Cat series,) is doing a little traveling right now, which means Erika gets to talk to you about our new schedule and start our new Saturday series. We’ve done a little renovating here in the Boiler Room, and so here’s a quick schedule update to help you findContinue reading “Speak Up, It’s Saturday”
What it Means to Ban a Book
“Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself.” Potter Stewart, Associate Justice, US Supreme Court By Erika Grumet The only book my parents ever took away from me was Catcher in the Rye. There are a lot of reasons someone might want to take that book away from a child, but none of thoseContinue reading “What it Means to Ban a Book”
Teaching my Kid about September 11
By Erika Grumet Editor’s Note: Readers of The Ivory Tower Boiler Room know that on Monday, we typically publish our Big Think, an essay giving a perspective on the month’s topic. But then in the days leading up to this important anniversary, Erika wrote the following and we decided just to go with it. SometimesContinue reading “Teaching my Kid about September 11”