I promised Char that I would submit articles and pitches to magazines and literary journals. This was in 2013.

Ask me how many submissions I sent out. Okay. How many submissions did you send out, Marcela?

 A big fat a-zero. Yep. I didn't submit any. And while I felt vaguely guilty for not following my dreams and letting down a friend who wants to see me succeed, the guilt wasn't enough to propel me into action.

Awful.

I know.

But an opportunity has come up that is making it hard for me to stay in this whole apathetic state of mind; I think I've found the perfect opportunity to submit an creative non-fiction essay. And while I don't know what I should write this essay on, I'm excited that I'm confident about the fact I'm going to submit an essay to one of Canada's feminist magazines. I mean, there's no wishy-washiness; just complete confidence that I'm going to be proactive about my literary aspirations.

And it's liberating.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wow.

My mind's really weird. I'll think one thing one minute, and the next it's as if there's a total stranger wandering around in my brain. I've heard we're all a bit like that. Weird, non? That's why I've decided to keep this blog. We're all weird. So if you can't shut your brain off at night, or you're just as confused by yourself as I am by me (if that makes any sense!), I welcome you to read on and tell me off, agree with me, whatevs. CIAO!
Read more

Perspective on my emotional hide and seek.

Most years we quietly celebrate Jenn's birthday; it's just us seven, we have some dinner, and then we go home. For her birthday this year, she asked one of her fellow nurses, Milly, to read our handwriting and interpret our personalities. Milly's interpretation of me was not that far off-base; she inferred that I'm reserved, prideful, loyal, hard-working, stubborn, and creative --- but she also told me that I can come off as "cold". Now, it's interesting to me that what stuck with me most is the fact she called me cold. Not the fact she correctly guessed that I like to feel people out before baring my thoughts to them. Not the fact she told me I'm creative, but am wasting my talents. Nope. What affected me most about her reading is that I can come off as cold to certain people. I've been called so many things in my life (haven't we all?), but the things I've been called in the past have always had a more... well, a positive spin. I...
Read more

Sometimes, like the times he does something surprisingly sweet, I think I'm falling for him.

But then I remember that I fall fast and hard like a rock you'd throw into the water, quickly sinking deeper and deeper. I remember that falling never, ever creeps up on me all of the sudden. I remember that I know - without a sliver of doubt - when I've fallen as soon as it happens, but can never see it coming. I remember that I can't stop it from happening and it literally leaves me short of breath like those times someone jumps out of corners to scare me. The feeling is exhilarating and frightening and, yes, even addictive. When I remember how I fall, I know I'm not falling in love and I can breathe a bit easier. Because falling in love has never been a positive experience. It's always ended and it's always hurt and it's always meant months and months and months and months of hurt.
Read more