Ten writers in my garden for the whole day yesterday. I feel a huge responsibility for them all, to make sure they’re comfortable through the day, encouraged in their writing and in their bonds with each other. This time felt like more work than ever; I’m getting older. Schlepping groceries, cooking five big salads, preparing prompts, cleaning, gardening. Was going to make a sixth salad with the four cukes I’ve harvested so far but ran out of steam. Bought two quiches.

And then it’s showtime. And it works, it works so well, it makes me very happy to see people bloom, gain confidence, explore memory, make connections. As someone said to me, You’re creating community. There’s always that moment when someone tells a vital truth and the air changes; we are all there, linked to the writer by the power and importance of storytelling. We are a storytelling species. Those moments of community show humanity at its best.

Participants are sending heartening messages, like “What an electric day, full of moving stories, courageous revelations, memorable language with good food & vibes. You are a maestro, to create this fertile space and to develop an agenda and atmosphere that inspires everyone to write honestly and share what they have written. Thank you for your extreme generosity in every way.”