Holding ourselves accountable for what we want to do is critical in accomplishing any goal, but I find it especially true with writing. It’s easy to tell ourselves I plan to write 1,000 words this week. It’s another thing to actually put your hands on the keyboard and churn out those sentences.
I also find that writers do not celebrate their accomplishments, but if you don’t recognize what you’ve done and give yourself credit for it, it doesn’t mean as much, nor does it serve as a springboard for your next achievement.
Hence, here is the Wants & Win page, the place where you can share what you plan to do each week and your wins for the past seven days, large or small.
Plus, it’s easy-peasy.
On Sunday or Monday, use the comments section below to tell us your intentions for the week.
Be specific, i.e., finish the pool story, edit my last First Tuesday piece, brainstorm the painting story I’m thinking about, watch mini-course on dialogue, submit my favorite pet story for this month’s review, and such.
Then, when you end your week–be it Friday or Sunday–take stock of what you’ve done during the last few days. Give yourself credit for the little accomplishments and the big ones, i.e., finished my pool story, created an excellent brainstorm list of forty-two items for my painting story, learned my dolphin story will be published in River Teeth, and so forth.
And while you’re on the page, read through your fellow members’ wants and wins. Give them encouragement, maybe even a gentle nudge, and high-five what they’ve accomplished.
This is your page. Use it to your advantage.
I thought I’d share my recent published poem. Our Daily Sun published it yesterday. I was thrilled.
Here is another win for me. Yesterday I received a letter of confirmation for an essay I submitted to Sky Island Journal. Here is a copy of the letter and a file of the story attached below. Enjoy, and let me know what you think. Dear Etya, Thank you for sharing your mind and heart with us through your written work. We would be thrilled to publish the creative nonfiction piece “Birch Tree and Me” in Issue #33 (Fall 2025) of Sky Island Journal, to be published on October 25, 2025. “Birch Tree and Me” spoke to us directly and transported… Read more »
Hello everyone. Yesterday during our writing session, as you all know, I submitted two stories to Beyond Words. One of them was accepted. Here is the copy of the letter I received from them today.
Dear Etya,
Thanks for submitting your pieces.
I am delighted to inform you that Acceptance has been selected and will feature in our father-themed anthology!
We will be in touch later in 2025 with further information.
Until then, congratulations and take care,
Gal Slonim
Editor
on behalf of the Editorial Board
Beyond Words
I am attaching a file with the story. Please let me know what you think.
A beautiful piece of writing with heart. I feel your sentiment. Thank you for sharing this story and congratulations on your upcoming publication! i hope you will stay in touch.
Thank you, Kit. I am not going anywhere.
Hi everyone. I have been away for a while due to unforeseen circumstances. The day they admitted me to the hospital, The Write Launch published this story. Enjoy!
https://thewritelaunch.com/2025/07/the-language-of-my-hands/
Beautiful story Etya. So unique and heartwarming.
Thank you so much, Judy.
From Simon K Jones, I was learning about the tools in Substack, when I came across his post talking about writers analysis of other writers. I think many of us in the legacy Life Writers program can relate to Simon’s description of it (pasted below). “Analysis takes timeI studied Film & English at university, back in the mists of time. It was fun and even quite useful for my subsequent, rather meandering career. My reading has never been the same. Not in a bad way, but the carefree, super-fast reading of my childhood was long gone. After my studies, I… Read more »
https://nofilmschool.com/kurt-vonnegut-writing-tips I came across this article. Enjoy!
Keep it simple! Good advice for me. Thanks Etya!
Sharing today with all of you what I have accomplished this week. Every Monday, I post my goals in another group I belong to, and every Friday, I check what I have accomplished. Here is my list. The goal list had 11. The win list has more. 06.17.25 Write, Write, Write every day. Attend scheduled meetings. Pitch to another agent this weekend. Critique others’ work. Listen to tutorials. 1. Participated in IQR 2. Wrote another chapter for book two 3. Submitted the new chapter to the 52-scene class (1976 words) 4. Submitted a 1200-word Purpose story 5. Expanded and rewrote a… Read more »
That’s a giant number of goals. Congrats on reaching any percentage of them! Thank you for sharing this list too. It’s very interesting to think about.
Here is the last story published. It came out yesterday.
https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/2025/06/19/hold-fast-to-dreams-by-etya-vasserman-krichmar/
I am still on a road trip this week. The “adventure” is fraught with so many prompts from which I hope to put into a story when I get back. I keep emailing myself with the details.
I need reminders of how to show not tell, because my first habit is to say “this happened, and then this, and then this!” I welcome advice from anyone who wants to offer theirs to help me get started from outline to crappy draft. Reading Etya’s story about the Monet painting was an inspiring example of writing scene with reflection. Thank you, Etya!
You are so welcome, Kim. Where are you traveling? Cannot wait to read your stories.
We traveled by RV from Missouri to eastern Pennsylvania.
I found this via the New York Times. A five-day creative challenge, to spark creativity.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/well/creativity-drawing-art.html?smid=url-share&rsrc=deeplink
This was fun to do! Thanks for sharing, Dave!
My latest accomplishment. Sometimes I wonder why I post it here. I do not get many responses. Anyhow, enjoy.
https://spillwords.com/a-journey-through-monet/
Bravo, Etya. Your piece spoke to me on many levels. Not only the excellent phrasing but relatable content. It reminded me of a feeling I got standing in the Louvre before a giant oil painting of an ocean scene maybe fifteen feet high depicting a tall sailing ship on churning storm waves with fearful faces of all hands on deck trying to bring in the heavy canvass sails in too late. The emotion of the sailors chilled me to my core and stayed with me for, well, as you say, forever, inside me. I always wondered what it would have… Read more »
Thank you, Kit, for your kind words. The teaching of art in the Soviet Union was uncomplicated. It had to stir emotions when you view it.
Well done Etya! Well written and describes that sensation when art becomes real to a person.
Oh, Etya, how beautifully you write. Every time I read one of your stories, I’m sure it is the best yet, but this account of Monet’s painting surpasses all. You wholeheartedly pulled me into your experience, I was there, sitting beside you and absorbing all the beauty as you did. Music affects me that way and your ability to describe in words what you saw and felt pulled me in to feel likewise. Bravo, my dear child. MomJa
Oh, MomJa. Thanks so much for reading.
Congratulations on having this lovely story published at Spillwords. I forget to check this space in Life Writers, so I’m glad you reminded me. Your words bring Monet’s work vividly to mind. Thank you for this oasis of peace in a far from peaceful world.
Thank you so much, Terry. I appreciate your kind words.
Forgot to post my recent accomplishment. Here are the links: https://hotelmasticadoreshouse.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/hold-fast-to-dreams-by-etya-vasserman-krichmar/
https://spillwords.com/author/etyakrichmar/
https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/the-museum-of-memories-cobalt-net-and-beyond-by-etya-vasserman-krichmar/
https://feedthehol.blogspot.com/2025/04/mighty-as-sword-by-etya-vasserman.html
Enjoy!
Sorry. The picture didn’t download.
I love this! You inspire me over and over, John.
So here I am having another insomniac moment. But it’s not all bad. My CPAP sez I got 5 hours of sleep. Got up to (you know what) and the brain went off when I stuck my head back on the pillow. Somehow, the coffee table on the lanai came into view. Thought I’d share it with you all. The items on the upper right side belong to the dogs. The feet on the bottom belong to me.
Atcha later.
That looks great, John! And it represents a lot of work. Congratulations. I know you put a lot of effort not just into writing and editing the stories, but also arranging them in the four collections.
I was hoping the feet were yours and not the dogs. That would just be weird.
Ha ha, John! Did the insomnia make you organize your files so neatly?
So a WIN!
My story, Fridays with Jack, which a few of you have read or heard, has been selected for the Florida Writers Association’s 2025 Collection 17, New Directions/New Dimensions (annual anthology). Fifty stories were accepted—still no word on the contests.
David, I read that story and thought it was excellent. Congrats! Well deserved!
WINS: I submitted a short story to the Boston Globe Connections magazine and entered the Florida Writers Association (FWA) annual contest in both Fiction and Non-Fiction categories. I also submitted a story to the FWA anthology, where only 50 stories are accepted. Not expecting much except a good learning experience. WANTS: I need to edit a story, “Hands,” based on the feedback I received, and also a fiction story, “The Nerd Shot Around the World,” which I also need to incorporate feedback into. I have a story, “Music to My Ears,” which should be done, but I keep playing with.… Read more »
I wanted to be at Open Mic Night on 4/29… but my win-override is that I get to take my husband to Michigan to spend two days at the Henry Ford museum for his 75th birthday! He is so happy about this surprise. I will enjoy watching the replay of this special night of my writing tribe. I hope a lot more of you take the plunge to give Open Mic Night a try because it is fun and rewarding. See you next month!
I hope you have a great time celebrating Dave’s 75th!
https://hotelmasticadoreshouse.wordpress.com/2025/03/19/mighty-as-a-sword-by-etya-vasserman-krichmar/ here is the link for my poem published last night.
I love this poem, Etya. Dear to my hear, your writing. Congratuations on another publication.
I took an initiative,from the examples of many of you, and submitted one of my poems to an online journal in partnership with a photographer-friend’s work, because the journal’s spring theme was ‘collaboration’. (We get more points for submitting a collaborative work.) I dont’ know yet, if our work will be accepted for publication, but it was a win for me to get over my hesitation and go through the process of submittal. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me over the last five years in this program. Patricia, you lead us well, and all the members, some still… Read more »
Congratulations, Kit! I told you a long time ago that poetry was your strongest suit. I am so proud of you for taking the step forward to have your poem published. I will keep my fingers and toes crossed.
Awesome news Kit! You’ve already won just by submitting. I hope the journal recognizes your talent.
Are you going to write about what it’s like to be married to a gearhead, which is what we called car enthusiasts in high school?
Ha ha, What its like being married to a gearhead. that’s a good idea for a title! Thank you for always encouraging me.
It has universal appeal. As it relates to any person married to someone really into a hobby.
I finished my “catalog” of keepsakes or artifacts and sent a copy to both of my boys. I can put a checkmark next to that item on my to-do list. Thanks to Patricia and her course at The Villages on stories from Photos.
Bravo, Dave! We’ve talked on Zoom, but I wanted to congratulate you again here. Fabulous accomplishment.
Well done, Dave. I know that was quite a project and one your boys will be so grateful to have.
While visiting cousins in Port St. Lucie, I had the pleasure of meeting Etya and Holly face-to-face. I’ve “known” them via Zoom for years, but to actually meet them and share lunch and conversation was a joy. We talked about everything, especially writing. As always, I learn from my fellow writers. I’ve missed several sessions because I was traveling, but I look forward to getting my writing on. Thanks to Patricia for bringing so many diverse voices together and giving us a place to shine.
Sorry, Ricki, I am just reading your post now. It was so much fun meeting you in person.
WANTS… All of us in the Zoom meeting on Tuesday the 11th heard our leader, Patricia, speak about how she is revamping the Life Writers program. She puts a lot of herself into it—well, maybe even too much—trying to cover all the bases to make things the best she can for the members. With Valentine’s Day tomorrow. Let’s think about one way to support Patricia and gift her. We can all express our gratitude for her time, educational work, and programs, which have helped us write better stories. Plus, Patricia mentioned she wanted to go to Hawaii. Let us help… Read more »
I am grateful to Life Writers Dave Godin and Kit Dwyer for helping me achieve the check-off boxes for getting my words into the anthology. This is very meaningful to me, as writing is a passion of mine, but my computer tech knowledge stops my progress.
I offer my sincere gratitude to both of you.
Holly=>
Great idea Holly! I believe gratitude messages are worthy of our time, all the time! Since I’m late in seeing this, I think I’ll send one right now. 🙂
You and your words make me smile, BIG.
I love this book Bird by Bird so much. What a win that led us all to it and to be able to share our thoughts about it.
Each chapter has nuggets of insight to story doors I didn’t even know I needed to open. They are bright, glowing and enticing nuggets. As gold, soft enough to mold and polish into a form, I trust will eventually become my own voice, if I just keep working with it. This is a gift not to be ignored.
Well said. You are becoming a more assertive voice all the time. Great accomplishment!
Sharing my latest achievement. SpillWords Press published it yesterday. If I can do, a person for whom English is a second language, any of you can. I encourage you to write, write, write. Every day! Perseverance pays off. https://spillwords.com/spotlight-on-writers-etya-krichmar/
Etya, like Harriet Tugman, you have a strong, tenacious will. I admire your continual efforts to move forward.
My motto is never to give up. I won’t stop until I achieve my dream.
Etya, you are a woman who walks her talk. You show by being a leader.
Thank you so much, my friend. I appreciate you.
Thanks for encouragement, and examples of your wins, Etya! That was an excellent description of your values and essence.
I am not a poet, but occasionally, I challenge myself. This was published today. Enjoy! https://hotelmasticadoreshouse.wordpress.com/2025/02/06/it-is-yours-to-keep-by-etya-vasserman-krichmar/
Beautiful poem. I’m wiping my eyes now.
Thank you, Kit. Your comment is highly appreciated.
You captured the story in a few words, giving full pictures. I can, oh so, relate. Congratulations on the story, your health, and your heartfelt, loving caregiver.
Congratulations on your win Dave.
Here is a link to my story. it is fresh from the presses. Enjoy!
https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/2025/01/24/my-life-in-three-chapters-by-etya-vasserman-krichmar/
So, I just received an email from Five Minutes. My story is “live” (published).
https://www.fiveminutelit.com/five-minutes/daily-ritual
It is wonderful to know and realize you are living your best life. Writing your heart, sharing with other like-minded writers, and being able to check off one more atta boy on your list of who Dave is and stands for.
Dave, great description. I could see and relate to it. Went through the feeding tube treatment myself. My savior was my husband. So glad you pulled through. Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Great achievement, David. Impact more than 100 words. Way to go!
You go boy! I wanted to use more exclamation marks, but Patricia won’t let me.
That’s fantastic Dave. We’re so proud of you.
Another oopz. Here’s my story.
Heartfelt, wholesome story. You wrote it well.
John, a wonderful memory. I am grateful for Jimmy Carter’s being president when I applied for asylum in the United States. He had a good relationship with Brezhnev (remember the famous kiss?). Because of that, the relationship, I mean, not the kiss; I am here today. The Carters came through for the American people even more so after leaving the office. My appreciation for them grew even more. You have a picture, and I have a letter from the President of the United States. It was not Carter.
Really nice story John. She was a special lady, and we don’t get the chance to meet people like that very often.
I’m glad you reposted the story John. I especially like the photo, which I don’t remember from your original posting. The Carters were people of integrity and service.
What a wonderful memory you have and the photo to prove it. I’m so happy you are writing your memoirs. You definitely have lived a very event filled life. Thanks for sharing part of it with us.
My,My Lil’Bro, You were quite a handsome young man. I’m proud to be your big sister, Love Jake
In 1972, when Carter was Governor of Georgia, I took a group of Girl Scout from St. Simons Island to meet him in Atlanta, have a picture of the group. It was quite interesting.
A good story John! I can imagine Rosalynn with you. Well done.
With the passing of Jimmy Carter yesterday, I can’t help but think of the fifteen seconds I spent with him. But the time that made me melt was when I met his wife, Rosalyn. A year or so ago, she passed. It happened right after I wrote about our encounter.
In light of the current events, I’m reposting my story.
I appreciated this story. In the summer/autumn of 1976, Gordon and I had the opportunity to be within waving distance of the Carter/Mondale campaign car as it passed through FarmFest in Vernon Center, Minnesota. A special memory, also.
Hello, Fellow Writers. I am finishing the year with a bang. Here is my latest published piece.
https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/2024/12/27/a-letter-to-my-thirteen-year-old-self-by-etya-vasserman-krichmar/?_gl=1*afr35x*_gcl_au*MTA2ODgxMjIwOC4xNzM1MzM2MjQy
Enjoy
My younger, impressionable self, I leave you with these thoughts and all the love and wisdom accumulated from a lifetime of experiences. Remember that you are never alone; I am always here with you in spirit, watching over and cheering you on. Remember to choose love as your weapon and kill hate with kindness, but most of all, forgive from your heart all who hurt your tender thirteen-year-old self. Etya, such strong, essential words and lessons. When we live through it, it makes us stronger. You captured the story, memory, and life lessons.
Congratulations, Etya. I loved your story the first time I heard it, and even more now. Practical advice, some of which I have put into practice.
Lorna, you make me smile. Thank you, dear.
Congratulations Etya, really good story. Well written as always.
Thank you, Judy. Appreciate your comment.
I loved this story the first time I read it, even more so now. Congratulations!
Thank you so much, Linda.
A lovely sharing with your teenage self, Etya. Congrats on the publication.
Thank you, Kit. I appreciate you!
Since it’s Christmas week, thought you might enjoy my Santa years. Yes, I did that too.
I’m attaching my first draft…and it’s not even midnight.
Better late than not at all, dear Lil’ Bro, alias John Santa Claus Roche. Loved your Santa story and how it I tenderly smiled imagining the Lil’ Bro John I always knew was inside of you. From the moment you quickly responded to my tearful exit when confronted about my Alaska trip, I knew there was a gentle-spirited Santa in you. God bless you dear friend and Brother, Lil’ and Big. Love Jake
Santa has a way of causing enthusiasm.
Here’s an update on my submissions: My entry, “Daily Cleaning”, to Five Minutes was accepted, but I don’t have a publish date yet. The email said some nice things about the piece that my ego wants me to believe, but I’m not that gullible. The story was a longer version of one of the micro memoirs. My submissions of “Riding Bike”, “Shoes”, and “Thoughts on Commas” to Southland Alibi, the UCLA Student Literary Journal, were not “a good fit at this time.” But they do know how to let a guy down. The rejection said “Our team was charmed by… Read more »
I heard through the grape vine about your being accepted to have some of your work published. It takes courage to send it out, being ready for rejections, and such a feeling of accomplishment when it is seen in print. Cudos to you, you have worked hard at your craft and you can certainly be proud of that. If you have time, can you email a copy of the story that was deleted from our website. Or anything else that you might like to share with me. I always enjoy reading your work.
Congratulations, Dave, on your acceptance. Good work. As for the rejections, years ago, someone told me to paper a wall with them…
Congrats on the kudos feedback from real and potential publishers, Dave! Very exciting.
Congratulations, Dave! I am so proud of you. Where can I read it?
Dave, did you post your story “Daily Cleaning” somewhere? I would love to read it. I’m so happy for you getting your story published. I for one am not a bit surprised. We in LW have been blessed to read much of your work and now your talent is deservedly being recognized.
Judy
Thanks for the kind words.
I posted it as one of the 75 word stories, and enlarged it to 100 words for the Five Minutes site. Patricia took it down for legal beagle reasons, to avoid a conflict because the Five Minute publication should be first use. She doesn’t think there is a problem because LifeWriters is a private site, but wanted to err on the side of caution.
That does make sense I guess. Still can’t wait to read it.
I attended a virtual writing conference I heard about because an author friend was going to be the keynote speaker. The names of the participants were randomly selected in a raffle of various gifts that would be disseminated after the conference was over. As a part of the conference we were also given two opportunities to sign up for one on one virtual meetings with professionals in either a business or a mentor/writing category. One of the professionals I had opportunity to speak with shared a couple book titles in response to my question about resources to help learn more… Read more »
What an exciting gift to have received just when you were interested in knowing more about this form of writing. It was meant for you. and congratulations of taking up a new skill of playing the piano and performing in front of a crowd. Now that was definitely something to be proud of!!
Thank you, Dar. I appreciate the encouragement.
Was your “playing piano” part of your comment meant for someone else? That’s definitely not in my skill set so far. 😉
Congratulations, Lisa! What. a way to end a year!
Thank you, Etya. It truly was.
Woo-hoo! Yay for you, Lisa Marie, and thanks for sharing this tip of a good book.
You’re welcome. 😉
I did a thing last week. It doesn’t have to do with “writing” so much, but more to do with bravery. I got up in front of an audience of about forty or so people and played a short Christmas Song. After six months of beginner piano lessons, I learned how to read notes on a staff, play with both hands, along with some theory, technique, form, and composer history. I’m glad its over, but also glad I did it. I hope this small step will aid me to someday push the publish button in other aspects of my life.
Good for you!
I am so happy for you, Kit. I always wanted to play an instrument, but I am tone-deaf.
Good for you, Kit. I am jealous, I’ve always wanted to learn to play but never had the nerve to take lessons. Sounds like it went well, you should be proud.
KIT,
I too am a late bloomer in the 88 key world. I have been working on a Christmas medley for a few years. Maybe we can do a duet.
John
I’d love that!
Bravo!
Way to step out and be brave, Kit. Congratulation. It sounds like you accomplished quite a bit in only six months!
that was very very brave,..good for you..we have a grand piano and I diddle on it when no one is around, I wish I could take some lessons. I truely believe that music wakes up our brains and learning a musical instrument or a foreign language are two of the best things we can do for ourselves. Hoot, hoot.
Dear life writers, many moons ago, Patricia taught a course titled Writing About Your Ancestors. I cringed at the opportunity knowing at some point I’d run into a brick wall given the legacy of slavery. Genealogy has been a journey for me.Overcoming the obstacles of incomplete records, poorly written information, lost information, no last names, multiple spellings of a person’s name has yielded unimagined fruits. I have written a family story which includes finding the last two members of the slave generation that were missing from the family ancestry chart. I wish to thank Patricia for beginning the challenge even… Read more »
Thanks for this update, Norma. Sounds intriguing. I look forward to reading your story and to hearing more about your journey. Thanks for the suggestion you gave me re my mother’s ancestry. Now I am becoming even more curious.
Glad the story/tips has piqued your interest.
Norma, when are you posting this story? I would love to read it.
I plan to have it ready for the January submissions. Thanks for asking and Happy New Year to you and the family. ❤️
I can’t wait to read your story. Genealogy takes a lot of work under the best of circumstances. When names get changed or lost, that only adds to the challenge.
Happy New Year and Kwanza to you, my friend.
Thanks Etya.
Norma, I really look forward to reading about John and Minnie. Your story will be rich in history as it unfolds.
Wow, Norma. That is a frustrating undertaking I can relate to. It can also be heart-wrenching. I have a half sister (name unknown) that I often find myself wishing I had information to locate her. I’m so glad your search has yielded positive fruit for your labor. I hope you find even more.
Hi Lisa Marie. Thanks for your comments. Yes, frustrating and rewarding. My great grandfather on the maternal side was a slave. I asked the FOIA folks for help. They were able to supply his name. Sent a photo copy as verification. You might try them. I was ecstatic! FOIA is Freedom Of Information Acts. Buena Suerte. ❤️
This is huge. Looking forward to reading your story.
Wow, Norma. I bet your feel luckier than a lot of people searching for ancestors from those days. That is a rich find. I look forward to reading your story. Congratulations on this success.
Thanks Kit for taking the time to read and respond.
Norma, sorry if I missed the mark in not commenting on the huge struggle your quest involves. I support you in your journey to find your relatives and reveal their stories. You’ve got my ear and heart. Patricia helps us in so many ways.
I forgot to take my Melatonin last night. You know what that means…at three-thirty this morning the brain went off. This morning’s theme was six-word memoirs. You all were the subjects. I remembered as many of you as I could. If I missed you, I apologize. If you’re offended, there is no offense intended. It’s just what came out of my head.
John, I went looking for your “Six word Lifewriters” and was utterly charmed. You really nailed us. I guess I have to go dig out a photo now, even if I just send it to you!
Lil’ Bro, am I really on a perch, how so???ground trudging Jake
A fun list to read.
Loved every one of these John. That 3 a.m. hamster wheel in your mind was running full speed. Good job.
Great job! Would we expect anything less, even that early in the morning?
that’s the nicest story anyone has ever written or said about me. It must be fiction!! Thank you John.
That was rather excellent and entertaining, John! Way to go! I loved reading it. A very creative idea.
BTW Lisa, sorry I left you out. Good news is that you’re in the edited version.
No problem, John.
Uh oh, I’m big time now. 🙂
Thanks, I’ll have to check it out. Is it posted yet?
These are really good, John. If you put them in upper/lowercase letters and change Louise to Lucille, I might consider using the complete list in the anthology. You may need to add a few before we go to press. It’s a pain to be up at that time of night/morning, but you are productive then. Well done. Thanks for sharing these with us.
OMGosh -This is the best! Smiling here 🙂 You all gotta look at this!!!! I know, too many exclamation points, but really, Do Look
When my grandson, Sol, invited me to his school for a breakfast and assembly honoring veterans, I couldn’t but the plane ticket fast enough. The elementary school put on a really nice performance for the approximately thirty veterans in attendance. The event concluded with a parade of vets and their sponsors through the hallways to the applause from the students and faculty. During the weekend, I also got to see Sol play sled hockey.
That is absolutely fantastic!
Fantastic to hear this story, John! Love the photo and shirts. You are a wealthy grandpa, rich in love.
Proud to say, a story I wrote for the Jewish Genealogical Society of Philadelphia was published in the Fall 2024 edition of their Quarterly Newsletter.
Way to go, Steven. Congratulations!
Steven, what a well documented article, so happy for it’s publication. I enjoyed reading the history, and especially happy to see the photographs that helped in the telling of this piece. Kudos to you. You have a hobby now that will last forever and keep you busy.
Great history Steven. If you remember something I put in my cemetery story, I wondered if I would have been conceived if my older brother didn’t pass at one month.
You have to be thinking, Would I even be here, but for a pair of shoelaces.
J
A funny thing happened. I commented on someone’s win and in doing so it got me thinking about a memory I hadn’t thought about in a long time. My want this week is to “finish” my first piece for Life Writers and to start in on this next piece. Thank you all for being so supportive.
Yay, Raquel! Congratulations on your progress.
Raquel,
Get used to it. I can’t tell you the number of times one or more of my fellow LifeWriters has triggered an essay, story, vignette or more.
John
That’s fun to hear, Raquel. Anytime we are inspired to write a new story is a win. Happy writing!
https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/2024/11/04/end-of-life-reflections-by-etya-vasserman-krichmar/
Here is the link to my latest story.
Also, I wanted to share some good news with you, my fellow writers. Two weeks ago, I pitched live to four agents. Three of them requested my work. The fourth loved my pitch, but she could not represent me because her genre is a journalistic memoir. She recommended I contact another person from her agency. I am very excited to make my narrative nonfiction a reality. In addition, I won a thirty-minute consult with Eric Smith, a big-name literary agent. I will keep you posted.
Congratulations Etya. You have worked long and hard to get to this point in your writing career. I applaud you and wish you the best.
Thank you so much, Dar. I appreciated you.
Way to go! I feel your excitement and your accomplishments. I can’t imagine how it must be to see yourself in print. Your stories are outstanding.
Thank you so much, Sandra! I appreciate your support! I won’t give until I have my memoir published.
I took the seminar via UCLA that Patricia recommended and afterward submitted a story to their student publication, Southland Alibi. I read the guidelines and they wanted Double space and Times New Roman font.
Just as for my other submission, the school site sent me to another site called SUBMITTABLE, which apparently handles submissions for a number of organizations and publishers.
We’ll see what happens.
That sounds great, David. Have you heard anything yet?
My fingers are crossed for you. 🙂
Wishing you the best of luck!
Just wanted to share. This was published in the Villages Daily Sun today. It seems to strike a chord for people with memories of how it felt to ride the wind when you were a kid.
Very nice, Judy. Brings up memories of my childhood bike.
Judy,
I remember when you read this in class. Thank you for sharing. For me, it was my red Schwinn 10 speed bike. Your story sparked a memory for me and now I’m going to write about it. Thank you.
Great story! You had me picturing it all! Congratulations!
Very good, Judy. It brought back my memories, too. Congrats!
Very nice! Proud of you
Congratulations, Judy! Well done!
Here is the first fiction piece that was published today. I love the graphic they selected. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.
https://spillwords.com/the-whispering-lanterns/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGMyQxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHV98fNZXbyUFlhMYVF4oV57bUI52r3yZfqWgn9hvenqpYTZlJJFiqpDKDA_aem_rTQbm6OEurCrGGx8ySYpNg
Etya, what a great story, so well told. Congrats!
Thank you so much. I wrote another version to this prompt. It is longer and has a different ending. Can send it to you if you are interested.
You are an excellent role model, a woman I applauded and learn from.
Thank you, Holly. I appreciate you.
Etya, This is wonderful—the story, the graphic, and the reader. You are a robust role model and someone I look up to.
Thank you so much, Holly. I appreciate your kind words.
Wow, Etya. I hung on every word. Great storytelling.
Hello all,
I have recently submitted the first chapter of my memoir into Writing Away Refuge Contest. Today I recieved an email that states:
“Hi, Etya,
Thank you for entering the Writing Away Refuge First Chapter Consult & Contest. Congratulations! You have received an Honorable Mention. The winners and finalists will be recognized at the live retreat on October 11th during the keynote dinner.
I have attached your chapter. The judge’s comments are at the end of the chapter.
Attached is my submitted chapter with judge’s comment.
The reviews of your story were very encouraging and uplifting.
Thank you.
I read your story and reviews. Great job Etya!
Thank you, Dave. I appreciate it.
I just submitted a one-hundred-word story to Five Minutes. I’m not sure what inspired me to look into it. This is one of the sites Patricia mentioned a while back. They only accept exactly one hundred-word stories, the title doesn’t count. I reworked one of the seventy-five-word stories, Daily Ritual.
According to the site, I may get a decision within two months, which is just short of forever.
I’m on my way to my first rejection! Woo-Hoo. It’s kinda exhilarating.
Good luck. I hope you bet accepted.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for your story and you. You are a strong supporter of Life Writers, and this is energy-building for the members and me. I thank you for your support as I rebuild Holly, get to know myself, and get on my feet again. You see, saying one kind word to someone could make their day. I thank you for your kind words and for helping me rebuild several days.
6:28 AM
Unfortunately, there was a fourth.
Nite…morning…whatever.
I didn’t know where to post this. But I just had to share. It’s 5:43 in the am. I’ve been up for around two hours now. I think I just set a new record for first drafts at three. Somewhere around 3:30, I got up for, well you know, middle-of-the-night business. Jumped–funny, this old body don’t jump no more–back into bed and the brain went off. Got up and started a story about politics–personal, not the crap we’re witnessing today. Wrote about 300 words before going back to bed. As my head hit the pillow, another bomb dropped. This time… Read more »
I know that I wake up in the middle of the night not just to use the bathroom but to get to the keyboard and type out the masterpieces, or at least it seems that way at 3 a.m. Then, at 9 a.m., I reread, and boy, yes, my words were great, but now I’m going back to bed. John, you add humor, color, and truthful enthusiasm to the Life Writers.
That little hamster keeps running around that wheel in your mind at 3:00 am John.
So when I read cankles I decided I’m never gonna read that story.
Congrats on the hyper-productivity. Ya gotta make hay while the sun shines, or in your case, moonlight glows.