Writing through/in/from Heart Break

And so many things to share, how I've missed you!

Dear Brilliant Friends,

I want to write something beautiful and loving for these horrifying times we find ourselves in. And I’ve missed you so.

After a long holiday hiatus in Los Angeles, I’m back in France and ready to get back to work. The first half of my vacation was wonderful, the second half devastating. I have so many friends, parents of lifetime friends, dear friends of dear friends who have lost their home. It’s heartbreaking. It’s still unbelievable. Los Angeles will never be the same, there will always be a before and after the fires. I discovered that there is a plant that is native to Los Angeles which only populates from fire. It is a place where there is meant to be fires. The native Americans knew this, but our government banned it in 1830. Oh, our government what a disaster.

If the fires and all that is going on has taught me anything, it is to be prepared. You just never know and it happens so fast. Of course we’re never prepared no matter what we do. But it has put into perspective all the adulting that I still have left to do. To organize my estate, my legacy all the f-ing passwords. All the irreplaceable photos and art. To have a go bag, water, money, chargers. What gave me some comfort was reading the formidable Joan Didion’s Fire Season. Here she recounts all the fires in Los Angeles while she lived there in the 1970s and gives a beautiful tribute to the city that raised me.

At least everyone is safe. It’s pretty remarkable that there were so few deaths. And I can’t imagine what the Palestinians went through with this devastation combined with the trauma of all those senseless deaths. And to call the fires in Los Angeles a war zone is beyond insulting. It may look like that but it is not that. Still everyone is hurting, no one’s suffering is worse than someone else’s. It’s not a suffering competition. We are all devastated. And I’m aware as I write this, that the people who’s family members were taken hostage suffered and I’m aware that there is currently another genocide in Sudan and Congo that isn’t getting as much press, but that the women there are suffering. And that the women in Afghanistan haven’t been able to go to school in over 1200 days. 1.4 million Afghan women and girls denied education. And for the first time, it looks like they might be able to bring those in power to the international criminal court for crimes against humanity. That’s what I’d like to do for the 47th president of the United States. What brings me joy these days is envisioning him and all of those who are against women, BIPOC, LGBTQ and just basic decency to go to prison. In the meantime, what else can we do but write, document what is going on and support our communities where we can? Work from what we have that is in our capacity. Try to stay focused, and pay attention to what we’re paying attention to.

Which brings me to some work that I’d like to share. My brilliant friend, Dr. Seema Jilani’s piece, “To the unknown child: I tried to save your young life in a Gaza hospital. Now your face haunts me” recently published this piece in The Guardian and it is definitely worth your time to read. If you want to keep crying after that please also read, “Goodbye to the lost children of Gaza. You were loved, you are remembered, you did not deserve it” by Nesrine Malik.

This past month I took a class with Garth Greenwell, “How to Write Sex,” and in it he said this statement, “Literature is the best technology for the communication of consciousness.” Obviously, I’m a big believer in this. Which is why I hear Toni Morrison saying, “This is precisely the time when artists go to work….”

Join Our Generative Writing Workshop on Sundays

Amidst all of this, life continues and we try to do the best that we can with where we are right now. I know that my writing workshops every Sunday are healing, cathartic and community driven. It is the balm we need for the heart break. If you’d like to join us we’re starting again this Sunday, February 2nd from 5pm—7pm CET (8-10am PST, 11am-1pm EST).

Reply to this email if you’d like to write with us this Sunday! Currently the euro to the dollar is pretty much equivalent, so I’m still offering three different payment tiers monthly at basically the same price. To find out which level you’re in, see below or skip ahead to the gorgeous photo of our villa for the retreat! ;-)

Root Level (€/$165 a month)

• I frequently stress about meeting basic needs & don’t always achieve them

• I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs

• I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

• I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas

• I am unemployed or underemployed

• I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & health care

• I have no access to savings

• I have no or very limited expendable income

• I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

• I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

Blossom Level (€/$225 a month)

• I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them

• I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs

• I own or lease a car

• I am employed

• I have access to health care

• I might have access to financial savings

• I have some expendable income

• I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others

• I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden

Canopy Level (€/$280 a month)

• I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs

• I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs

• I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property

• I own or lease a car

• I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs

• I have regular access to health care

• I have access to financial savings

• I have an expendable** income

• I can always buy new items

• I can afford an annual vacation or take time off

Just One (maybe two) Spot Left on the Writers Retreat in the Cote d’Azur!

We have such a fantastic group coming! Want to join us? There’s only one or maybe two spots left! The details again: Saturday May 31—Saturday June 7, 2025 All included! $5200 US or €5000 for a Queen Room with en suite bathroom and private balcony or come with a friend and share a gorgeous room with your bestie for $4200 or €4000 each.

✨ 8 days 7 nights accommodation in a five star villa by the sea ✨

✨ All fresh, organic meals of Provençal specialties plus three evenings out at delicious restaurants in Juan les Pins, St. Paul de Vence and Antibes✨

✨ Generative Writing Sessions every day (totaling 6 sessions)✨

✨ One on one consultation with me to discuss your work ✨

✨ Unlimited Coffee and Tea, (we’re writers after all 😉) ✨

✨ Celebratory Wine & Champagne (non-alcoholic options available as well)✨

✨ Professional Photo Shoot✨

✨ Complimentary 60 Minute Massage✨

✨ Special Lectures, Shamanic Meditation and other writing related Activities! ✨ 🎉

Can I tempt you with this picture of a hammock?

If you want to come on the retreat, the best would be to book at zoom chat to see if it’s right for you. Check out my Calendly calendar here, to set up a time next week!

And last but certainly not least, if by any chance you’re wondering what’s happening with the planets, and want to plan out your year according to astrology, you’re in luck!

I can highly recommend two wonderful dear friends, Tillie Eze and Tsipa Swan who are doing exactly that! And also if you’re looking for some insight into your writing with a heart-centered approach, check out my friend, Neysa King! I’ve done sessions with all three of the genius women and I can tell you it is a game changer for your future self!

Want to set up a twenty minute coffee chat with me just to hang out and catch up? You can do that here! I would love to see you!!!

Sending so much love to you all today!

Augustine