Issue 62 / Winter 2017
62 / Joy
Unexpected brightness in the darkest times
This issue captures elusive, unexpected moments of joy. Whether trying to make the most of an audience with the Dalai Lama, worrying about an eighth-grade Dinner Dance, or straining to see the stars in the night sky, contributors find themselves transported beyond distractions, discomforts, and disasters. We also explore the joys of the writing life, from the feel of the perfect pen to the satisfactions of changing readers’ minds.
Plus, writing through grief; tips for having more fun at the writing desk; tiny truths; and more.
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What’s the Story #62
"We are most likely to find joy when we're fully absorbed in something and, thus, transported beyond the ordinary distractions and discomforts of daily life"The Joy of Writing
Using positive psychology to identify the pleasures of putting words on the pageHow to Have More Fun on the Job
Brenda Miller, Brian Doyle, David Quammen, and Abigail Thomas reveal their secrets for making writing feel less like workThe Wonder of the Look on Her Face
A young writer discovers the most important tool of allRumors of Lost Stars
Sometimes we are blind to what brings us the most joyHair/Ear
In the aftermath of her sudden hearing loss, a mother becomes even more fiercely protective of her young sonThe Wanting Creature
An American mother tries to micromanage her family's audience with the Dalai LamaHierarchy of Needs
We’re sorry; we’re currently unable to make this work available online.The Butterfly Pavilion
A trip to the natural history museum brings unexpected solace after a miscarriageThe Gentleman’s Guide to Arousal-free Slow Dancing
What pre-teen boys are really afraid ofIt Wasn’t Until I Was an Old Woman That I Began to Enjoy Being Beautiful
Embracing the power of making unexpected fashion choices fter a lifetime of self-doubtWe’re All Going to Die… and That’s OK
The surprisingly joyful process of researching a book about mortalityThe Mysterious and Sometimes Even Radiant World of Grief
Mark Doty talks with Melanie Brooks about writing as a way to process lossAn Equation: Solve for Father
All those little moments add upTaking Cues from the Cityscape
"I try to let my work lead me where it wants to go"What We Can’t See
An interview with the winner of the $1,000 "Joy" essay contestHierarchy Of Needs
Barraged with ads for products promising happiness, the author wonders, "Can we want things that we do not know about?"