Okay, #writers, help me interpret this rejection from a Tier 1 lirerary publication, please? What does “special attention” mean? And is “unflinching style” a good or bad thing?

Tell me 5 random things that you love (not people/pets) - The smell of a redwood forest after the rain - Sliding naked between clean sheets after a day at the pool - The whisper of pages in old bookstores - Eating buttered sweet corn on the 4th of July - The dappled colors of wet river rock

Wow, what a long day.

“What would you write if you were up on the moon and you knew nobody would ever see it?” - Alan Ginsberg Ran across this in today’s reading. Ginsberg’s discussing his creation of “Howl” and the struggle we face when writing to forget that readers exist.

Someone asked me if all writers are hermits. I can’t answer for all of them, but at the end of a writing day I find myself drained and need to refill my brain with words. The problem is, most people aren’t very smart, so I stay home and read books instead. But, like I said, maybe that’s just me.

1997 words on #WIP before lunch. Then after lunch I worked on revision #1 of a short story I’ve been letting rest. I feel hollow now.

Meanwhile, the Administration has eliminated funding for the wind and solar energy sector, making us even more reliant on overseas oil. That’s not getting enough discussion. They did it to justify the Iran war, which he lost. Now our energy needs are more vulnerable than ever. 25th now.

Deep into Chapter Two of my #WIP and I am taking Anne Lamott’s advice to write a shitty first draft to heart.

idk man it fucking sucks how all digital art/development tools increasingly just come with a huge GENERATE button like they just will not relent until everyone is complicit in the poisoned numbers empire

“Look at her arm! Fearless in the bellies of chrome-hearted men, their smiles sharp with teeth. I would’ve begged God to be shaped like that.“ So good. Go read.

Mad at myself for booking two days in a row of appointments. I know what I’m like and, sure enough, the annoyance about having to deal with people *again* is making me cranky. Anyone else find they need to limit how many things they schedule in a day/week?

#Writers, what online workshop or course did you find the most informative? I’m thinking of enrolling in one but there are so many to choose from, and so many which seem like scams. #writingcommunity

When my autistic son gets home from his date, which he went on after he got off work from his university job, I’ll be sure to tell him RFK Jr says he can’t do any of that. And I’m sure his response will be something like: Roses are red, ice cream is to lick, please tell RFK Jr. he can go suck my…

Anything with Buffalo sauce. i can’t even stand the smell of it. One whiff and I think “spicy douche” and don’t understand why anyone would want to eat that.

Meant to work on my novel today. Sat down and a flash story tumbled out instead. Not complaining!

Or that one of the first major television stars and a most popular evening show host* routinely appeared in drag — on prime time, when children were watching, and the FCC didn’t yank him off the air nor was anyone traumatized. * Milton Berle, for the youtha.

Younger generations will never believe we used to be able to drive to Canada or Mexico and just show our driver’s license to get there and back. And yet, despite that holding true for generations, a “flood of immigrants” wasn’t a fear or even a problem until the last 12 years.

Oh oh oh, this is so good.

Actual footage of me meditating to manifest an inbox full of acceptances tomorrow. 🧘🏻

This is your reminder that Google is to blame for the annoying paywalls and membership requirements on websites now. Since Google began scraping the content of websites and posting it on the search page, over 75% of searches go no further. 🧵

My amazing neighbor brought me a souvenir from her trip to NOLA. ❤️

Way to go Knicks!!!

I feel like we have the opportunity to turn David Lynch's quote into this moment's "Keep Calm and Carry On" and it's a far better rallying cry too.

In case anyone’s confused, the “we almost have a peace deal” followed by bombing strikes over and over again? That’s what narcissistic rage looks like.

It’s filthy hot and viciously humid in Kansas City, Missouri today. I feel sorry for the people here for #FIFA from more temperate climes. Bad enough we’re price-gouging them ($12 for an ice cream? $19 for a beer?!) but entertaining outdoors in this? Rude.

It’s a writer’s nightmare: a yes then an no. And it’s getting to be a trend. @beckyltuch.bsky.social explains “Changed minds, newly discovered sources of offense, people having ‘serious second thoughts.’ What is up with all this waffling about?“ in this excellent article. (Thx for the mention!)

I don’t understand the thinking behind moving the No Kings Protests to “watch parties” instead of marches on June 14. As the organizers note ”authoritarians want fear, silence, and isolation.” Having people gather in living rooms, how much more isolated can we get? #nokings www.nokings.org

8+6+4+7=25 Amendment NOW.

I got 99 problems but setting up a group chat on bsky ain’t one.

Can I get an "Amen!" (Disclaimer: I am not a hot slut I just play one on TV 🙃😉

Wanted to share this in case you or someone you know is over 65, disabled, and unable to grocery shop or prepare meals. Your insurance, including Medicare, may pay for this meal delivery service. 1/ www.momsmeals.com

All I’m saying is that planning things with another human doesn’t require AI. Most things don’t. Paying attention is the new superpower. Key into life, put away the device, turn off the notifications, be present. That’s the new pivot. That’s the new way forward. Blaze that trail.

New profile pic because another year has passed. 59.

I've had to mute the comments on yesterday's post about dating, though people are still free to leave them. I just can't keep up! Fun fact: that post wasn't intended for this platform. Also: reading your own issues into what people post is silly. katherineargent.com/life-online/...

After 12 years of widowhood, I finally agreed to go out on a date last night with a man I’d met in an art class. He texted yesterday afternoon to say he’d let ChatGPT suggest our evening plans and wanted my input. I canceled. Doubt I bother with that again. The books & snacks are at home.

"Him who has not praised thirst and drunk the water of the sands from a sallet, I trust him little in the commerce of the soul." From "Anabasis" by Saint-John Perse (1924) It's one of those lines that make me pause and sigh when I encounter them. Outdated? Sure. Still gorgeous and profound.

It’s my birthday and I am apparently still young enough to wake up with the unrealistic hope of finding an InBox full of acceptance emails.

Normalize saying “thank you” when people refer to you as weird.

In case anyone’s forgotten. youtu.be/YR7H71eSL6Q

More scenes from this morning’s walk. If you’ll be in town for FIFA, say “hi” in the comments!

More scenes from this morning’s walk. If you’ll be in town for FIFA, say “hi” in the comments!

A little morning Zen from my neighborhood walk.

Bought a book from Thriftbooks described as “acceptable” condition but it’s full of margin notes. Ordinarily, I enjoy those and find it’s like participating in a great conversation. Sadly, this speaker’s an idiot.

Birthday weekend and I’m spending it doing what makes me happy.

News flash: No one owes you a smile, so don’t tell them to smile. No one owes you an aesthetically pleasing experience, so don't tell them how to dress, wear their hair, or lose weight. And here’s the biggie:

Third and final attempt. It’s a nope. I’m sure it’s a towering literary achievement, et cetera, but I am old and my TBR pile is staggering.

Tonight’s reason to drink. A personal rejection like this of my latest short story feels champagne-worthy, but it’s still a rejection so I’m having Prosecco.

Le sigh.

Name two things that interfere with each other as much as colonoscopy prep and a writing schedule. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

More tariffs. This schmuck doesn't learn and meanwhile we’re all conscripted into that “forced labor” to pay the price. www.kcci.com/article/trum...