I often encounter the following advice: think back to what gave you joy as a child, and try to incorporate that into your life again. As a kid, I enjoyed using my hands, and I was constantly requesting things like jewelry-making kits for my birthdays. It seemed wise to begin crafting again. So, I took this advice to heart…
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My Muse is a Bastard
I wish you wouldn’t insist on waking me Early every morning, fingers in my hair, Sweet words on your lips An inch from my ear. I rise from bed, drunk, Full, ripe, words ready to spill forth; Yet, as soon as pen touches paper, They lighten, transform to cotton candy. And melt away gently in the rain, Leave me…
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Inspiration Won’t Save You
When you’re a creative person who happens to be in a slump, well-meaning friends will tell you that’s fine. You’re just “waiting for inspiration to strike.” While I agree that being in a slump occasionally is fine and normal, I don’t agree with waiting for inspiration. I’ve been writing, drawing, and various other things for a long time now,…
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The Crocodile Year
A colossus in the currents With claws drifting serenely down And green-gold eyes Seeing, but not revealing. Try explaining to that grinning mouth The merits of followers, likes on selfies, And checking “just one more” work email. We rush manically, frantically, As though we’re expected at our funerals Ten full years before the Reaper calls. Planned days laid out…
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Growth in the Darkness
I think a lot of us will look back on 2020 and find that this year changed us in ways we didn’t see coming. For me, it’s been a year of incredible loss. I’ve already mentioned losing both of my grandparents; my grandma in March and my grandpa in July. I said goodbye to some friendships. It’s one thing…
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5 Horror Anthologies Perfect for October, Part 1
It’s finally October, which gives me the perfect excuse to discuss one of my favorite things: horror! Here, I have collected five of my favorite horror anthologies to share. It was difficult narrowing the list down. Ultimately, I decided to keep it at a smaller number, and focus on books that are still in print. (A second part, for…
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Slam Poem
I’ve tried to write Succinctly, brutally, Vitally, seductively, But apparently, “Poetry” simply means Writing Like This – Sara Myriad, 2020
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Bookworms in the Time of COVID-19: An Obsession
Humans are wired to seek out patterns. My pattern is to be a bookworm. When my world went on lock down due to COVID-19, well, I found ways to cope. I’ve touched on the benefits that cleaning out books provided my mental health, and I still agree with what I said. I was enjoying my parred-down shelves. Apparently, all…
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Good Vibes Only? Why This Popular Phrase is a Problem
“Good Vibes Only!” has inserted itself on shirts, hats, bumper stickers. It’s become so popular, it’s difficult to not encounter it in some form daily. It was once one of my favorite personal mantras. Now? Not so much. I have no quibbles with the phrase, “Good vibes only!” itself. Being hopeful and knowing that there are things to be…
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Adjustments
Hello, everyone. It has been a minute or two, hasn’t it? I’ve been writing still, but it’s been confined to the pages of my little red notebook, and a bit more sporadic than I would like. I am fortunate enough to still be employed, and work for an employer that has allowed me to work from home for the…
