Writing Alchemy

We continue the discussion as artist, activist, disabled survivor iconoclast billie rain shares hir Chronic Illness Bill of Rights. Then we jump into a conversation about societal response to chronic illness, myths about disability, ways of supporting people with chronic illnesses, and how we can create more inclusive communities.

In the fourth segment of The Wishing Dildo Series, the adventure continues as we find out more about the mysterious and regal Jewel. Then the six companions take a secret detour to the Kingdom of Waterfalls. This story is followed by a discussion about trauma in which I talk about myth, reality, resilience, healing, and community with artist, activist, disabled survivor iconoclast billie rain. This discussion goes deep places, but it also has a lot of laughter too. The Wishing Dildo Part 1: It is said that the Wishing Dildo can grant any wish relating to sexuality or fertility, as long as that wish is consensual. Prince Hart sure hopes that is true as he and his friend, trickster Tala, embark on a quest for it. As they travel, they soon discover that sometimes the greatest adventure is the people you meet along the way.

Today’s discussion with spiritual atheist Kathleen Lamothe is a deep and far ranging Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) inspired conversation about music, addiction, anger, health, diverse minds, psychology, and happiness.

In this third segment of The Wishing Dildo Series, the adventure continues as we get to know Anissa, and then the five companions visit the temperamental rulers of the Gilded Kingdom. The story is followed by a discussion about brain diversity, mental health, and the gifts and struggles of ADHD with spiritual atheist Kathleen Lamothe. The Wishing Dildo Part 1: It is said that the Wishing Dildo can grant any wish relating to sexuality or fertility, as long as that wish is consensual. Prince Hart sure hopes that is true as he and his friend, trickster Tala, embark on a quest for it. As they travel, they soon discover that sometimes the greatest adventure is the people you meet along the way.

Today’s discussion with activist, comedian, and sex worker Vee Chattie focuses on the lived experiences of sex workers. In this conversation we talk about the performative aspects of sex work, emotional labor, myths, stereotypes, stigma, and empowerment.

In this second podcast segment of The Wishing Dildo Series, the fairy tale continues as Prince Hart, Tala, and Tomas meet two new companions, each with a unique magical superpower. Then activist, comedian, and sex worker Vee Chattie joins Fay for the following discussion about the reality verses myth of sex work, sexual superpowers, boundaries, marginalization, and community. The Wishing Dildo Part 1: It is said that the Wishing Dildo can grant any wish relating to sexuality or fertility, as long as that wish is consensual. Prince Hart sure hopes that is true as he and his friend, trickster Tala, embark on a quest for it. As they travel, they soon discover that sometimes the greatest adventure is the people you meet along the way.

Today’s discussion with hesitant art activist Lector Josue Morales focuses on the topics of art and activism and how they intersect with disability, community, and race. In this conversation we challenge ourselves to expand our ideas about what activism is so that we can fully value the diverse kinds of activism that people are doing.

We return to intersectional fairy tales as hesitant art activist Lector Josue Morales joins Fay for the start of The Wishing Dildo Series in which Prince Hart and Tala embark on their quest for The Wishing Dildo and meet a surprising new companion. The following discussion focuses on the representation of disability in speculative fiction and the difference between using a disabled character to tell an able-bodied story and having a character that represents the experiences of disabled people. The Wishing Dildo Part 1: It is said that the Wishing Dildo can grant any wish relating to sexuality or fertility, as long as that wish is consensual. Prince Hart sure hopes that is true as he and his friend, trickster Tala, embark on a quest for it. As they travel, they soon discover that sometimes the greatest adventure is the people you meet along the way.

This interlude episode is all about intersections, with a focus on fatness, disability, gender, and queer identity. Guest Kristina Gibbs-Ruby reads a powerful spoken word piece about bullying and fatphobia while Fay reads hir popular article, “Why Having Conditional Privilege Is Not the Same as Simply Being Privileged,” which delves into the complexity of invisible identities, privilege, oppression, gatekeeping, and the struggle to be recognized as real through hir personal experiences.

In this romance-themed interlude episode, Yolanda Wallace reads from her contemporary lesbian romance 21 Questions, in which Kenya Davis meets bartender Simone Bailey for the first time. Then we delve into themes, representation, and inspiration in Yolanda’s writing. 21 Questions: Kenya Davis’s ability to find the perfect employee is unparalleled. Her ability to find the perfect mate? Not so much. After she takes a chance on speed dating, she finds herself with not one but two chances to find true love. But with her spotty romantic track record, how can she be sure which woman is Miss Right and which is only Miss Right Now? Simone Bailey works as a bartender at one of the hottest nightclubs in South Beach, has more female attention than she knows what to do with, and spends her spare time following her musical ambitions. Then she meets Kenya Davis. After her initial attempt to charm her way into Kenya's heart fails, she resolves to reach her ultimate destination one question at a time.

Monsters is the theme as sci-fi writer and monster enthusiast Bex Shea joins Fay for the conclusion of “Dangerous Company,” in which Kalla finally discovers that the dragon she has been sent to kill has been disguised as her guide the whole time. The following discussion delves into the question of what monstrousness is, the ways that depictions of monsters can be used to otherize or to empathize, fear, compassion, unknowability, the association of gendered traits with power, gender exploration, and the blurring of the lines between human and monster. Dangerous Company: The last five dragon slayers died. Kalla is good at solving problems, but her skills will be tested as she embarks on her journey with the very dragon she is expected to kill disguised as her guide. Some interesting surprises are just around the corner…

Editor and collaborative storyteller Lara Milton joins Fay for the reading of part 2 of “Dangerous Company,” which follows the growing romance between Kalla and the dragon, Har. This section of the story delves into both eroticism as Kalla and Har get closer with each other and into conflict as Har struggles with her own draconic territorialism. The following, delightfully nerdy, discussion focuses on tabletop role playing games as writing inspiration and delves into the some of nitty-gritty details of writing, comparing and contrasting first person and third person perspectives in fiction. Dangerous Company: The last five dragon slayers died. Kalla is good at solving problems, but her skills will be tested as she embarks on her journey with the very dragon she is expected to kill disguised as her guide. Some interesting surprises are just around the corner…

Media creator and community-organizer Tobi Hill-Meyer joins Fay for the reading of part 1 of “Dangerous Company,” which begins with an angry gender-switching dragon and the woman the townsfolk have hired to kill her. However Kalla the problem-solver is not what either the townsfolk or dragon expect. The following discussion delves deep into ethical ways for artists to address oppression in their work, the changes I made to this story, and the ways marginalized people are often identified with monsters in stories. Dangerous Company: The last five dragon slayers died. Kalla is good at solving problems, but her skills will be tested as she embarks on her journey with the very dragon she is expected to kill disguised as her guide. Some interesting surprises are just around the corner…

This episode is a workshop-style collaboration that explores self-love practices with a focus on the experiences and art of people living at the intersections of oppression. In this episode Jessica Littenburg reads her poem “Healing Is” which is about finding tools for dealing with chronic illness, Ryannah Quigley shares her inspirational experiences as a plus-sized trans woman of color working on the film project hashtag body beautiful, and the band Bicycle Face shares two children’s songs which combine fun and silliness with some important messages about self-love. Discussion also delves into using art to push back against oppression, giving ourselves permission, valuing what we are doing, self-compassion, and using ritual as a tool for change.

This episode departs from the usual Writing Alchemy format to focus on the topic of self-love in a workshop-style collaboration between Fay Onyx and Liz Cruz that explores barriers to self-love and self-love practices as experienced by people living at the intersections of oppression. For this episode they are joined by Tobi Hill-Meyer, who reads her erotic story, “Self Reflection,” which explores the themes of self-love and self-talk in a rather surprising way.

Activist and educator Oblio Stroyman joins Fay for the reading of part 3 of "Tala and Prince Hart," which starts with trickster Tala's humorous strategies for blocking the queen's attempts to hold a successful marriage contest for Prince Hart. The story then moves to a focus on family conflict and resolution. The following discussion centers on the process of forgiveness, non-violent communication, harm done from a place of good intentions, creating new cultural space, and the treatment of youth in our society. Tala and Prince Hart: Prince Hart is asexual, but his parents and many suitors are having a hard time accepting that. When the trickster Tala decides to come to his aid, chaos naturally ensues in this exuberant story that is a playful response to the all too common romanticization of boundary-crossing behaviors!

Writer and cultural-worker Gina de Vries joins Fay for the reading of part 2 of "Tala and Prince Hart," which focuses on the humorous antics of Prince Hart's suitors as their inappropriate, boundary-crossing behaviors get them into trouble. Gina then reads an erotic excerpt about the magic of everyday life from hir current project, How to Have a Body. The following discussion focuses on weaving personal experience into writing, unhealthy patterns that are romanticized within the romance genre, and the importance of centering the narratives of people living at the margins. Tala and Prince Hart: Prince Hart is asexual, but his parents and many suitors are having a hard time accepting that. When the trickster Tala decides to come to his aid, chaos naturally ensues in this exuberant story that is a playful response to the all too common romanticization of boundary-crossing behaviors!

Activist and writer Jessica Miriam Littenberg joins Fay for the reading of part 1 of "Tala and Prince Hart," which focuses on Prince Hart's experience of being asexual in a society that does not recognize asexuality. Jessica then reads one of her powerful poems about transphobia. The following discussion focuses on the experience of not being what you are supposed to be according to society, racism and ableilsm in language, and using art to communicate the experience of oppression by connecting to identifiable feelings. Tala and Prince Hart: Prince Hart is asexual, but his parents and many suitors are having a hard time accepting that. When the trickster Tala decides to come to his aid, chaos naturally ensues in this exuberant story that is a playful response to the all too common romanticization of boundary-crossing behaviors!

Community-organizer and media-creator Tobi Hill-Meyer returns to join Fay for the reading of the second half of “Tala and Godmother Death,” followed by a discussion that focuses on gender exploration in trans literature, the importance of depicting forgiveness with consequences, and the humanizing potential of humor. Tala and Godmother Death: Inspired by the Grimms’ fairy tale “Godfather Death,” this story follows Death’s three godchildren and explores what happens when the most selfish and clever one comes across the trickster Tala.

Performance artist and community organizer Liz Cruz joins Fay for the reading of the first half of “Tala and Godmother Death,” followed by a discussion that focuses on queer, femme, and trans representation, the origins of this story in the fairy tales collected and altered by the brothers Grimm, and the power of giving ourselves and each other permission. Tala and Godmother Death: Inspired by the Grimms’ fairy tale “Godfather Death,” this story follows Death’s three godchildren and explores what happens when the most selfish and clever one comes across the trickster Tala.