Friday was an excellent day in my writing career. I received a rejection! It seems silly to celebrate, but it’s a sign that I’m doing something, and for that I’m happy…considering how long I’ve taken to get here. Also, although the rejection email had the feel of a form letter, the sentiment was positive. I like to imagine that they have a variety of form letters and that I was sent the version for a submission that had strengths, but wasn’t right for their needs. And so I will continue with my writing and reading…

Currently Reading

Non-fiction

• Calypso by David Sedaris: On the bedside table, waiting for me to return.
• The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees. Today is the first day of fall. I imagine my future with cute sweaters, so perhaps this will inspire a renewed interest in getting my style in order.
• Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss. Too focused on fiction this week, though I am always thinking about grammar and punctuation…

Fiction (adult/YA)

• The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection edited by Colby Sharp. I accidentally discovered this book while looking at the displays in the children’s section of my local library. It’s an incredible collection of stories and illustrations generated via a brilliant concept: ask forty-four children’s storytellers to make up story prompts, have them swap their prompts with one another, and then see where the inspiration leads. The result is a collection both hilarious and emotional. And now that I am more familiar with children’s book writers, I love that I recognize so many of these talented creators’ names. I hope to find inspiration myself as I work my way out of a block.