by Sally Wiener Grotta on December 9, 2018 at 3:21 am

On seeing the new Yiddish production of "Fiddler on the Roof," I reflect back on memories of the original Broadway show, on what it is to be Jewish, and on memories of my very special relationship with my Dad whose parents lived a similar life to that portrayed by the musical. […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on December 3, 2018 at 12:35 pm

A poem: "Reaching outward, when inward is too raw...." When life serves up pain and confusion, writers see Story. […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on November 26, 2018 at 12:05 pm

I wrote this essay for my old website a few years ago. In the wake of the horrific shooting at Pittsburgh's L'Simcha Tree of Life one month ago -- and the the current political atmosphere that has given haters permission to come out of hiding -- this piece is a poignant reflection of the innocence I was once privileged to feel. It's also a declaration of who I am, and my determination not to be cowed by the haters. […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on November 19, 2018 at 12:24 am

Life gives us only now, this moment, to choose among the many responsibilities, pleasures and trials that are strewn in our path. We shape our time on this earth second by second. Then, suddenly, all options are taken out of our hands... […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on November 12, 2018 at 2:54 pm

Thoughts inspired by Martha Graham's advice to Anges de Mille about dissatisfaction driving art. What drives your creativity? […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on November 5, 2018 at 12:11 pm

Poem: "Too soon the sun rises before the night-long dream resolves, before we can eek meaning out of the ether. No sunlight please to burn away the shadows, flatten the contrast between... […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on October 29, 2018 at 6:35 am

The classic thriller movie "The Stepford Wives" feels particularly relevant in light of the groundswell reaction to my recent essays "Is Obesity the New Obscenity?" and "The Monster in the Mirror." […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on October 21, 2018 at 7:09 pm

Just a few years ago, conventional wisdom was that a woman who does more than one thing would often be perceived as a person who wouldn't be able to do any of them well. See how Sally Wiener's website represents the whole person she is: a woman who continues to explore, learn, communicate, share and facilitate human connections and creativity. […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on October 15, 2018 at 12:47 am

All writers have people constantly talking to us, telling us stories, insisting that we devote our undivided attention to committing their tales to paper (or computer screen). I am curious how "normal" people... […]

by Sally Wiener Grotta on October 8, 2018 at 10:51 pm

The word "bitch" can convey a world of ideas. But what does it really mean? And for any fiction writer working to create flesh and blood characters, what are the undercurrents and coloration of using... […]