I've been contemplating suffering. I've been suffering pain in my body chronically for decades...my autoimmune system (has two diseases!) on high-alert for as long as I can remember...and more recently, a lower-back issue that's been on-and-off since 2022. The term 'comparative suffering' has been bopping around between my parts for years now too. I don't… Continue reading On Mandatory Suffering
Year of Reading Books – A Dream
"I read slowly, savoring each book one by one. I had all the time in the world then. And there was no danger I'd run out of books, no matter how much I read..." from Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa This morning I was reading. I was reading… Continue reading Year of Reading Books – A Dream
What If Agents Queried Writers?
In my cheekiest moments whilst thinking about the traditional publishing world, I often think about what things would be like for writers if certain parts of the process got flipped. For example, what if agents queried writers? What if we had a gargantuan place where we could put information about our writing lives, share our… Continue reading What If Agents Queried Writers?
New Schedule Update
So we're into the third week of January. Time is flying faster than a peregrin falcon. I've been doing well with my new schedule and daily planning. I've been getting up early Monday to Friday and meditating, praying and stretching. I feed the dogs, make my lunch, take my time getting dressed. Mornings are slow… Continue reading New Schedule Update
VANESSA SHIELDS 