Woman. Warrior. Writer. 1-24
Jimin Han Vol. 5 No. 1 01-4-24
JIMIN HAN
photo by Christine Petrella
How did you come to author your life?
For most of my life, I’ve been patient with my writing. (Submit a story and have it rejected? Take my time and write another one. Get notes from writer friends on the 50th novel draft? Put off revising for two months. Everything changed when my mother suffered a stroke and died. The family I had protected and that had protected me imploded in the aftermath. I poured all of my anger and despair into writing about being powerful in the face of being powerless. Grief brought me to where I am today and memories of my mother keep me going.
Jimin Han is the author of The Apology, a 2023 Barnes & Noble Discover Pick; named a best book of the summer by the LA Times, Vanity Fair, Shondaland, Apple Books and more. She is also the author of A Small Revolution. Born in Seoul, South Korea, she grew up in Providence, Rhode Island; Dayton, Ohio; and Jamestown, New York. Her work has been supported by the New York State Council on the Arts.
CLASSES AND NEWS
· Women’s Creative Writing Workshop (4 weeks) April 4-25 Thurs. 1-3PM (HST) a mixed level cross-genre generative writing workshop with a focus on voice, craft, creative process, and community.
· Intersectionality Manuscript Workshop (10 weeks) April 2-June 4 Tues. 1-3PM (HST)
You must be working on a full-length manuscript. Instructor permission only. Contact: writer@drstephaniehan.com to submit a manuscript and to set up an interview. MFA level workshop.
· Master Narratives a Deep Dive LIVE in-person at Da Shop Saturday April 6 9-11AM (HST) in Honolulu. This is an open-gender class. Come to class and rethink your creative process and personal narrative. This is a signature class and these ideas underscore my teaching.
WHY take workshop from me? You will leave class a better writer. I focus on voice. You will be in community with women writers who take their craft seriously.
· Tamiko Nimura (WWW) had an essay commissioned for Zocalo Public Square that got syndicated by a number of outlets, including the Smithsonian Magazine.
· My interview with Vaimoana Niumeitolu, internationally acclaimed Tongan American performance artist and muralist (13 murals in Palestine) aired on Hawai’i Public Radio. Explore her work and follow her @IGmoanaloveniu.
· Announcing the big ask an ask-me-anything Zoom. This is a free session for WCWW FB members (open to students, guest authors, syllabus authors) and WWW subscribers only. I've been focusing on intuitive insight to help myself and my students. It was a good way to figure out writing issues, but story often transcends the page, and so it’s in this spirit, I open it up. Got a problem? Come to the big ask and I will try to assist you—link below.
The big ask 1/30 TUESDAY 10-11AM HST
· I will hold a free class The Power of Story Thursday February 29 1-2PM HST. I’ll provide the link in the February newsletter.
· Anyone going to AWP? Please send your panel announcements by 1/31/24. Email writer@drstephaniehan.com I will include them in the February newsletter. Send me updates on your writing adventures. I’m glad to support you!
HEALTH
Due to crazy cortisol levels, my cholesterol tripled over the last 10-11 months at my last gig. I have no family history of cholesterol issues. Lesson learned was that our response to an environment determines our health. To address this I have cut out red meat, include oat milk and try to live each day with more intention. If you have health issues remember this: death comes for everyone. Health is everything.
PALESTINE, COLONIALISM, MAUI
Dr. Han’s QOD (Question of the Day): Who benefits from our current system and why?
#Ceasefire now. The genocide in Palestine has resulted in 30,000 dead in 87 days. There are rallies planned in Hawai’i for 1/15, 1/17, 1/23, 1/28. History will reveal the truth. Note the representatives who take money from AIPAC. Blood. On. Their. Hands.
Strive to link our current issues with housing (Lahaina and more), stagnant wages, clean drinking water, poor healthcare, gun violence, pollution to…the failure of U.S. government to address the needs of its citizenry. It’s not because you are lazy you struggle. It’s not because you are a bad person that you struggle. You are struggling because there is a huge wealth gap and the playing field is not remotely fair. If you are a woman you lack basic human rights! Very very few benefit from the current system under which we and the globe, lives! The genocide in Palestine serves American business interests. Dig and see what you come up with. Free your mind, free your voice. And don’t let the patriarchy get you down.
MERCH
Woman. Warrior. Writer. T-shirts and hoodies for writing student financial aid
These are pretty cool. Plus they help women attend writing workshops!
May you have an abundant, peaceful, and joyful 2024! We create the stories of our lives. Have the courage to write the narrative you want to live. You have nothing to lose.
Aloha,
Stephanie