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One afternoon, while most students were fretting over midterm grades , Nicole found herself staring at a local shop window. Inside sat a doll she had wanted for years—a small piece of a childhood that had ended too abruptly. As she reached into her pocket to pay, she found it empty. Just as she was about to turn away with a cynical shrug, she spotted money on the ground . Without a second thought, she used it to buy the doll.
In the quiet town of Springfield, Nicole was known for two things: her sharp tongue and her unwavering gaze. To many at her high school, she was a sociopathic enigma, a girl who had seen too much and cared too little after her father's passing . She often moved through the hallways like a ghost in skinny jeans and a high ponytail , her blue eyes reflecting a world she felt was "literally rotting from the inside." Nicole9.jpg
Holding the doll, a sense of nostalgia washed over her, momentarily softening the edges of her usual detachment. However, the feeling was fleeting, quickly replaced by the familiar armor she wore to navigate the complexities of her daily life. She understood that small comforts were rare, and in a world that felt increasingly unpredictable, she relied on her own resilience to move forward. One afternoon, while most students were fretting over
Would there be interest in exploring more about the narrative themes of the Class of '09 or discussing the development of complex characters in storytelling? Just as she was about to turn away
This is a great message for me to hear, for all of us to hear who are “doing art” and sometimes wonder if it will ever be good enough to share. There is the idea of doing art just for oneself, to use it as a therapeutic process, which is beneficial for sure, but your perspective gives me another motivation to actually share my work with someone(s). As always, Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement.
I just ordered your new book for myself. Merry Christmas to me!
Maybe I’m late to the party- but have you ever thought about or actually ever made autographed bookplates that we can purchase for our books? I would love to have your signature inside my copy. 😊
I loved this message. I have greatly enjoyed your essays and this one went straight to my heart. Thank you.