"I learn by going where I have to go," wrote poet Theodore Roethke. My latest Substack post explores the way we make choices or choices make us.

tanyashaffer.substack.com/p/where-i-ha...

Do you dream of islands? I do. I dream of sand and sea and sky and gentle breezes. And for years, I've dreamed of Greece. That's why I'm co-leading a Transformational Women's Writing Retreat on the island of Amorgos.

Join us May 18 for a FREE informational Zoom session. tanyashaffer.com/retreats

"Because my sons don't always want to be hugged, but my dogs always want to be petted, scratched, and loved..."

Where do you find comfort amidst the madness? I find it with them. My newest (short & sweet!) Substack essay pays tribute to my furry friends.

tanyashaffer.substack.com/p/why-i-pet-...

Want to get away from the madness? Just three spots left in Rejuvenate & Create, the Transformational Women's Writing Retreat Kelly Dwyer and I are leading in October. tanyashaffer.com/retreats

My latest offering on Substack, called "Silence Says," is very short. (As it should be! It's about silence.) It's a mini meditation on the nourishing power of silence. As always, I'd be honored if you'd give it a read and eager to hear your thoughts.
tanyashaffer.substack.com/p/silence-says

See this blue door? It opens onto a magical realm. We’ll explore that realm in October at Rejuvenate & Create: A Transformational Women’s Writing Retreat on the Island of Amorgos, Greece. Learn more and sign up for a FREE informational Zoom this Sunday. tanyashaffer.com/retreats

Here’s a sweet and funny Valentine tale. If you’ve ever slow-danced to “How Deep is Your Love,” this story is for you. tanyashaffer.substack.com/p/heart-shap...

The Brutalist = too damn long.

Were my dad and I overly enmeshed? I explore this question in my new memoir essay, "The Night I Made My Father Cry," which takes place on a single night in Florence, Italy, when I was 15. tanyashaffer.substack.com/p/the-night-...

Because we all need comfort...

I really loved the novel Intermezzo, by Sally Rooney. For me it was much richer and deeper and more moving than her previous novel, Normal People, which I also enjoyed. This one though, this one blew me away.

December writing workshops start next week. Come write with me and an intimate circle of creative peers. These short three week sessions are a great way to get your feet wet. offleashwriting.com

Awoke to wonder.
First snow crept in overnight.
Sweet, tenacious earth.

For my latest Substack, I decided to write a haiku review for each of my 20 favorite books that I read this year. These are all novels except for 2 memoirs. What books did you enjoy this year? open.substack.com/pub/tanyasha...

How would you use this tool differently from Facebook? Would you share a different kind of post? Is it more discussion oriented? Inquiring minds want to know.

I never did get the hang of Twitter. But I'm gonna give this thing a shot and see if I can figure it out! So...Hi! Any tips on how to do this? As you can see from the pic, I tend towards low tech.