I was submitting a couple pieces to literary websites and needed to write a short author bio. I looked at the bios of other writers for ideas. Author X has published this and this and that is forthcoming. I didn’t feel like I had any published work to add and though I have writing projectsContinue reading “What Are You Overlooking?”
Tag Archives: writing
Small Moments Matter
The 10th and final name was called and I put away my phone. There was no longer any need to have it out to record, since I was not selected to be a storyteller that evening. Throughout the event I had enjoyed the stories that were being told, all while holding out hope that IContinue reading “Small Moments Matter“
The Right to Your Own Process
“I’m calling them guidelines because if I say ‘rules’, you might have the expectation that it will be true every time. As you know, there are many exceptions in English,” I remember telling my students. After a Sunday morning conversation with my life coach, I realized that this could be applied to my writing careerContinue reading “The Right to Your Own Process”
A loss is not a waste of time
Next month, I will be taking the N2 level of the Japanese Language Placement Test (JLPT). My renewed interest in Japanese prompted me to sign up a couple months ago. I certainly understand more now than I did during my disastrous attempt 2.5 years ago, during which I was woefully unprepared. Still, I don’t feelContinue reading “A loss is not a waste of time”
There’s always something new to see
I’ve lived in the same suburban town here in Japan for over 3 years. So, I don’t believe it’s an exaggeration to say that I’ve been in and out of its main train station hundreds of times. Yesterday, I went for an evening walk and short stop in the supermarket. When I was heading backContinue reading “There’s always something new to see”
Just ask
I had gotten an opportunity to teach employees at my local city hall, and I was excited. That excitement changed to concern when I realized that the classes would be held Wednesday evening, the same day as the weekly faculty meeting. I could still attend the meeting, but it would mean that I would haveContinue reading “Just ask”
Push through the mess
When I haven’t exercised in a long time, it shows: I’m stiff, the moves that used to be manageable for me are a struggle, and I find myself pausing and/or modifying more than I would like. I do the exercise anyway, knowing that my form is not great and I am moving slower than theContinue reading “Push through the mess”
May’s monthly micro
Once a month I post a micro story (a story that is 1,000 words or less). Words are my own. Read and enjoy but don’t copy and pass off as your own. This one is especially fitting for Mother’s Day today. Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and mother figures! I dedicate this to myContinue reading “May’s monthly micro”
You are as you see yourself
I’ve written here before about not feeling confident enough to call myself a writer. But what does it mean to be a writer, anyway? Rather, what do I think I should be doing to count as a writer? Writers work on their manuscripts every day, and go to writing clubs and writing events to pontificateContinue reading “You are as you see yourself”
How my local writing circle reignited my writing life
Let me add my voice to the chorus of people rightfully praising Amanda Gorman for her powerful poem at President Biden’s inauguration. Many elements of her story struck me, from her tackling a speech impediment to the graceful hand movements that accompanied her words. Writing, something I once felt was ordinary, relegated to the sidelinesContinue reading “How my local writing circle reignited my writing life”
Composed by Monique 