Hi Friends! I just published a review of the tv series BETTER CALL SAUL. While not exactly Magical Realism, the show is a weird and over the top story, which sometimes tiptoes right up to the edge of my credulity. To be honest, I had mixed feelings watching it. But sometimes, actually often, mixed feelings … Continue reading January 17th 2023 — yet another review of BETTER CALL SAUL
Category: Art and Literature
At home in books
Friends -- Just now I lit the Yahrzeit candle for my mother, Barbé Hammer, who died 23 years ago. Right before that, though, I read Neil Aitken's extraordinary essay on personal libraries as sites of resistance.* The book collection, he observes, can become a home for people who are transnational and interlingual and more. The … Continue reading At home in books
December weekly prompt (in honor of Bernadette Mayer)
Happy December, friends! (Photo courtesy of the New York Times) “The idea of perfection in a poem is pretty stupid. Because if nothing else is perfect, why should a poem be perfect?” https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/04/books/bernadette-mayer-dead.html Over the Thanksgiving holidays, the world lost one of the most remarkable, brilliant, and generous poets around. That person is Bernadette Mayer, … Continue reading December weekly prompt (in honor of Bernadette Mayer)
update: October 13th — When art tackles the hard stuff x 2
Friends, I share on medium a few thoughts about a recent episode from HOUSE OF DRAGONS. Even if you don't watch the show, you may find it interesting. Take a look: https://medium.com/@stephaniebarbhammer/viserys-dinner-party-e8326eeb4c98 But wait, there's more. The lovely JOURNAL OF RADICAL WONDER just republished one of my favorite magical realism stories: https://medium.com/the-journal-of-radical-wonder/the-diminution-e551c0cf49ca Tell me what … Continue reading update: October 13th — When art tackles the hard stuff x 2
Hello everyone, my name is Stephanie Hammer and I have a teaching problem
Friends of the unreal: teaching Composition is kind of impossible. And yet, I still do it. I love teaching. Especially as I grow older (and older), I find working with different kinds of people incredibly stimulating and fascinating. Since I live currently in a very rural area, and with the continuing dangers of COVID, my … Continue reading Hello everyone, my name is Stephanie Hammer and I have a teaching problem
July 10th — Who is my neighbor and why should I care about them?
Dear friends of the unreal - Here's another very real essay about a sticker that got put up in our neighborhood.... Please take a look, and let's imagine what would happen if our idea of the neighbor got expanded, ALOT. Welcome, Neighbor!
July 1st 2022
Friends of the unreal blog – The past couple of years have been intense ones for me personally and creatively. Being locked down so far away from family and friends in California but having the comfort of my spouse, Larry, I engaged in some very deep introspection and memory and wrote like crazy. As an … Continue reading July 1st 2022
june 26th 2022 — hold the line
Friends -- I've been silent on this latest development -- the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe -- because I feel what everyone I know is feeling: disgust, distress, fear, rage, disappointment, frustration with our entire governmental system, a feeling of being at the end of ideas and out of hope, and also a sense that this … Continue reading june 26th 2022 — hold the line
Why I write about hope
Friends -- on Medium this afternoon I wrote a short piece on this topic. I reproduce it here in its entirety. Why I write about hope what’s the alternative? My view of the world tends to be dark. Until recently I loved movies like the Terminator films, and books like Riddley Walker. I just finished watching Ozark, which, as anyone can … Continue reading Why I write about hope
Pretend Plumber post-party writing fun
And. . . it's a launch! Tonight friends and family from both coasts (and some folx from the middle) joined thee zoom-o-sphere for a book party featuring readings by incredibly talented creatives, two give aways, and.... a writing prompt. If you attended the party, you will have received your assignment . Please post your writing … Continue reading Pretend Plumber post-party writing fun
Stephanie Barbé Hammer Writing (Un) Real 