This is a heads up that the beautiful March Issue of Creative Wisconsin Literary Magazine is out. It’s a one stop shop to read most of my favorite Wisconsin writers like some in this issue (Lisa, Jim, Rose, Larry, Barbara, Steve, Kim…) You can get your copy here. And be reminded of all the wonderful books they’ve written! (And reviews I need to write. If you want to support a writer, oh, it means so much, just sayin’.)
I submitted a story to the March issue. I stood at the kitchen counter after lunch on Sunday staring at my phone having this conversation, “Should I give the issue a quick look? If it’s not there I’ll be disappointed. That could ruin my day. It will really discourage me, I have work to do, edits, revisions, pages are spread out all across the dining room table. Don’t look. Not now. Let it go. Get to work!”
I looked. Headed straight to the creative nonfiction section. Nothing. Then to the nonfiction. Nothing. Maybe it fit in fiction? Nope. Well, surely it wasn’t poetry at 1200 words. Should I tell Todd? No. Get to work. Rejection is part of it. We know this. I suck. I quit. O God help me. Get to work. Put the phone down! You have lots and lots of work to finish…Go! Now!”
As if scrolling through the issue could manifest my story’s presence, feeling lightheaded and faint, I was just about to tell Todd, “I suck!” when there it was. On the last page. Under a category all its own: “Writing Encouragement”. My story about inviting my imagination in and booting perfectionism out made the cut.
“We made it!” Todd loves me either way.
For the second time, my words have landed in: “Writing Encouragement”. What more could I ask? You know I write to encourage the doubters, the hopeless, the hurting. And we writers are the worst. Or the best at all that.
So “Ima Gina Tion” made the cut. Thank you Lisa and Luella and Wisconsin Writers Association for all you do to share the beauty and keep writers like me at it! ❤️
(You can get your copy here.)
Lovely, thank you for your encouragement always!
Aww, Deb! Congratulations! You are such an encouragement and inspiration indeed! Much love and blessings, sweet friend! ❤️🙏🏻
You’re so welcome, Elizabeth!
Oh, thank you, Karla. Love and blessings back!!❤️❤️
Congratulations!!!! 🥰
It’s my blessing!! 💚💚💚
I am so excited for you 😍 I remember reading it. Well done and congratulations 🎉
Many congrats Deb!
Aww thank, Morag. It’s SO good to see your name! I need to get over to your place asap!
You are welcome.
Thanks Vickie❤️❤️❤️
Harold, it’s so good to reconnect! I’ve been working on a collection of musings and stories and came across your comments waaaay back when I started hanging out here. Thank you! ❤️
It is great to reconnect! Happy to see you’re still writing and getting published!
Congratulations! That’s a lovely spot to have your work appear! BT!, Rejection (if it happens) doesn’t mean you failed. As long as you write, you’re succeeding. Lots of fine writing never finds an audience.
Congratulations, Deb! You are an encourager, so I’m not surprised your piece went under that category.
Thanks for your kind response, David!
Martha, When it happens! 🙂 Such great writerly wisdom. Thank you. (The old reaction surprised me. I really thought I’d moved past that.) I’ll remember your words to ward off the little gremlin in the future. Deb
We never like it, but still…