Christa Avampato

A Year of Yes: Feeling stuck in your writing? Go outside.

Despite the cold, my senior dog, Phineas, took me on a 2-hour hike through the North Woods of Central Park yesterday. The late afternoon light was just perfect. Time in nature is like a massage for the brain, heart, and spirit. It prompts my creativity. The movement jogs my imagination, restores my resolve to do work that builds a better world. If you need to be restored, get outside. Your restlessness has a purpose. It is meant to move you. Don’t fight it. Go with it. 

A Year of Yes: What I Love Best About Writing a Novel

I am a meticulous outliner, especially when it comes to my fiction writing. Still, you know what I love best about the practice of writing fiction? I never quite know what will be on the page when I’m done with any single block of work. I sit down and I think I know exactly where I’m going. Then, my characters will do something or say something I never expected. A stranger will arrive. A discovery will be made. I’m living this story in the moment with my characters, and I feel lucky to be along for the ride. 

A Year of Yes: Happy Thanksgiving

“It is in collectivities that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism.” ~Angela Davis

I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote lately, considering why we gather to share experiences and stories. And for me it’s exactly what Angela Davis says here: to find hope and optimism for a better tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

A Year of Yes: Warming to the Chill of Thanksgiving Eve

A chilly start and a chilly end to Thanksgiving Eve. All beautiful thanks to Central Park, my pup, Phin, and the Macy’s Day Parade balloons. All bright thanks to the sun and the moon. A good day and night in NYC. Wishing you and yours a Thanksgiving full of light and gratitude.

A Year of Yes: My Readers’ Favorite Book Award

Bit of a day. I was in Miami for a long weekend to receive the Readers Favorite Gold Award for my novel and to attend the Miami Book Fair. I’m honored! I had an incredible time and am so grateful for the support and encouragement of my work as an author. I have to admit that I teared up several times – seeing my book at the book fair and receiving the award. Thank you to all of you who have believed in this story and shown me so much love in this process. I couldn’t have done it without you. And a big shout out to my publisher, Possibilities Publishing Company. Now back to work finishing Emerson’s second book! You can pick up a copy of the first book in the series on Amazon and at all book stores.

A Year of Yes: The most personal interview I’ve ever given is now live on the How Humans Change podcast

If you want to really know me, listen to this interview. The big question for me in this lifetime is, “Does everything matter or does nothing matter?” A few months ago, I gave the most personal interview I’ve ever done. My friend, mentor, and storytelling hero, John Bucher, introduced me to Josh Chambers and Leiv Parton, hosts and producer of the podcast, How Humans Change. My interview is now live. our wide-ranging conversation includes career, science, sustainability, the health of the planet, biomimicry, dinosaurs, product development, therapy, curiosity, change, the economy and capitalism, time, technology, work, culture, implicit bias, life-changing moments, storytelling, writing, poverty, trauma, writing, my book, mental health, strength, resilience, therapy, fear, courage, my apartment building fire, how my plane got struck by lightning, and so much more. Despite these dark topics, there is a lot of light, fun, laughter, and healing in this interview. It’s the most personal interview I’ve ever given, and some of the details I reveal about my personal path and past I have never discussed publicly before now. I hope you enjoy the podcast episode and that it inspires you to live the best life you can imagine.

A Year of Yes: What I’ve learned this year

If I’ve learned anything this past year of saying yes, it’s this: your past failures and disappointments only define you if you give them permission to do so. I’ve fought against this a lot this year in every area of my life. It’s hard & necessary work. The truth is we get bitter or we get better. And it’s as simple and as difficult as that. I chose better. You with me?

A Year of Yes: Restarted my monthly newsletter to share good news and inspire you

Good morning and happy Friday! In an attempt to bring some good news into the world, I restarted my monthly newsletter. It talks about what I’m doing, where I’m going, and how I’m staying inspired with links to books, podcasts, and products that I’m currently enjoying / learning from. Check it out here and if you’d like to subscribe, there’s a little “Subscribe” button in the upper left-hand corner. https://mailchi.mp/18a…/more-good-news-from-christa-avampato

This month’s news includes: books, storytelling, dinosaurs, my trip to Iceland, fossils, mental health, the healing power of writing, and tours of secret NYC places.

You can also find the links to all newsletters going forward here: https://christaavampato.com/subscribe-to-my-newsletter/

A Year of Yes: NYC’s Secrets and Lies returns to Caveat

It’s still a month away and I’m already bonkers excited about this A+ lineup of expert storytellers spinning wild stories about secret NYC history for NYC’s Secrets & Lies show at Caveat on December 6th, 7pm. Four are telling the truth and one is a liar. Guess the liar correctly, and you’ll be in the running for great prizes from Untapped Cities and a few secret surprises that I’m cooking up! Look, it’s the holidays and I love giving presents.

This show’s stars include Dustin Growick, Vicki Eastus, Sandi Marx, Jackie Peters, and Nate Charles. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-tickets-52038003068. See you there!

A Year of Yes: Reflection on the election

While I’m glad to see the flip in the House, and the election of the first Muslim women to Congress, the first openly gay governor, and the largest number of women to ever serve our country, I can’t help but think about how much it took for those narrow wins and the painful narrow losses. I know many of you worked hard phone and text banking, canvassing, posting, donating, volunteering, and running. And a huge thank you to those who turned out to vote.

We have elected the most diverse set of candidates this country has ever had! I know you’re tired. I’m tired, too. And I also know that 2020 begins now. Literally today. We have a huge amount of work ahead of us. And this isn’t about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about the bedrock of our democracy. This is about basic human decency and dignity. And I’m ready to do what’s needed today and every tomorrow I have. I love this country, and I believe in its future. I believe in our ability to collectively restore what’s been gutted by this administration.