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What I'm Reading - Offline
Alias Grace
by Margaret Atwood
Powells.com

 

RECENTLY FINISHED:

Arcadia
by Lauren Groff
Powells.com

 

P.S. If You click on one of these links it'll take you to Powell's, where you can buy the book, or any other! I'll get a few nickels. I'll spend those nickels on books. A little literary life cycle.

What I'm Reading - Online

There are so many great writers putting their work out there through online literary journals.  Here is what I am reading now or have read recently online.

Stymie Magazine, Spring & Summer, The Feminine Perspective

A newly translated story from Jose Saramago, "Reflux" (!)

Maile Meloy's "The Proxy Marriage" in the New Yorker

The Collagist, May 2012

"Within The Cathedral, An Echo" Five Chapters

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« The District's Famous Library | Main | Are You Having a Bad Day? »
Tuesday
Jul062010

Hey, Margaret, how is that thesis going?

I don't know how to answer that without becoming a child again, without my face bunching up in a sudden hot red mess, without crying I DON'T KNOW! and IT IS VERY HARD! and I THOUGHT I WOULD KNOW HOW STORIES WORK BY NOW BUT I DO NOT AND THIS MAKES ME VERY ANGRY AND CONFUSED! I don't know how to answer that question without feeling like I am desperately and completely in over my head. I don't know how to answer that question without feeling like I went for a swim and kicked back to float along and admire the sky but my limbs have turned to lead and now I'm sinking. Oh, look, there's the surface and isn't it pretty with the sun shining above it and hey, this water is awfully cool and pleasant and am I supposed to be breathing? OH GOD I'M DROWNING! I sputter to the surface and gulp at the air and then everyone waves to me. "How is the water?" they ask. What can I say? I was the one who ran down the dock and flung myself into the lake.

So, basically, I am like every writer, ever.

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Reader Comments (7)

You can do it!!!

July 6, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterChristine

Yup. Take comfort in knowing we all did it and felt that way before you. But the point is: we all did it.

July 6, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterLauren

eek!

*hides from her own thesis*

July 7, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterEileen

I feel your pain (kind of!). I'm not working on my thesis, but I'm working on my second novel and since it's the summer, I'm off of work. That means I have no excuse not to write, but it's hard, man, it's hard! Good luck and if it helps...you're not alone and we're rooting for you!

July 7, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterRachele Alpine

Once I decide my thesis would never be my first book, it became easier bit it is a hard row!!

July 7, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJessie Carty

I feel all of those things and I haven't even had to START my thesis yet. The fact that you have managed to get as far as you have speaks volumes. Just one day at a time, one page at a time....that's all you can do.

July 8, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterLindsey

All of you are AMAZING. Thanks x100. I would like to buy each of you a coffee/margarita/cookie (choose your poison). Just let me know when. Preferably after the damn thing is turned in. (AUGUST!)

July 10, 2010 | Unregistered Commentermargosita

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