Article on Pitbull Ban

Hey guys...

If anyone is interested in the plight of Pitbulls in Ontario, my article is in the paper today. This is a matter that is very near and dear to my heart!

Be back tomorrow with an actual post! :)

haha Universe

I just spent the night at a lovely literary event, one which served as the large kick in the ass that I needed. That I continually need really. Something about being surrounded by other writers just feels comforting. Like, okay, maybe I can do this.

At one point someone sitting at my table said to me,

"So, are you a writer?"

To which I replied, "Yes. Erm, well, I try"

I still haven't quite figured out what I have to do to define myself as a writer. I write things, but does that make me a writer? I don't know. I like to dance too, but that doesn't make me a dancer. You know. It's a hard question to answer. I would like TO BE a writer, but I don't know if merely wanting it really badly is enough to warrant me actually calling myself one. Jury is out on this question.

The last time I took a writing course, I had the most wonderful teacher. She was one of the speakers at tonights little function. I still find her quite wonderful, and I really wish she were my teacher again. I find her inspiring, and I suppose she makes me feel like maybe I am a writer. It is really nice to have someone who does what you want to do, someone you admire and look up to say they are proud of you. It made me feel warm and fuzzy and a little bit hopeful.

I got home and went to check my email. What is waiting in there but yet another rejection, from yet another literary magazine. At least they got back to me I guess. Honestly, the rejections don't bug me too much, they just kinda make me want to try harder. I just found it funny that on the same night I went and got a kick in the ass, and a warm fuzzy feeling, that showed up. En.

Another One Bites the Dust

Hi Megan

I’ve reviewed Ottawa, and unfortunately, it was not what I was hoping for.
I’ve re-written it all and can email the doc if you would like.

We’ve found that several writers have tried this format – some with success and others not so much.

Unfortunately, given the time it took to re-write I’ll have to pass on any other assignments.

Sorry Megan, but we tried.

Brutal. I would rather this person have said, this travel guide is a piece of shit, rewrite it. Or perhaps...offer any suggests at all as to what I did wrong. Like...well, what were you hoping for then? I think we skipped about one step in the middle of me sending it, and you telling me you had to rewrite the whole thing. Whatevs. I'll admit it was not my best writing. But still. To a Tee I followed the freaking....arg. Brutal.

Like sand through an hourglass...

Dear Ms. .......:
Thank you for submitting your work to Room magazine.

While it has not been accepted, the Editorial Collective thanks you for your submission. When a manuscript comes into Room, it is initially read for quality and then passed on to individual editors. Each editor then decides if the manuscript is a match for their issue.

We receive more than 1,000 manuscripts each year, and have to make some very tough choices. We look forward to reading your submissions again in the future.
Again, thanks for sending your work to us and best wishes in your literary pursuits.

Room magazine Editorial Collective

Ahhh, my first rejection letter. Is it weird that it makes me feel more like a writer? I will begin a collection of them. I had hopes...maybe not high hopes, but hopes, that this journal would publish my story. I will try again at another journal. There is a part of me that won't let me call myself a writer until one of my stories has been published. Because until that happens, it all just seems a little bit...unattainable. When someone actually does publish one of my stories, it will be encouraging in the sense that someone is actually saying, "okay, you can do this. You are maybe even good at it". It will give hope and acknowledgement to the little writer me so that I can keep on keeping on.