Author: Jessie

  • Thank You: From Taking to the Streets to Talking in the Streets (1/22/17)

    Jessie

    To the grandma on the metro in the pink kitty cap, thank you. Thank you for smiling and nodding at me across the train as if we were sisters, because we are sisters. To the middle aged woman who looked at me on the street corner, thank you. Thank you for asking me if I Read more

  • When We Will Not See the Fruits of our Labors

    Jessie

    ,

    Yesterday I, like thousands of others, visited the final resting place of Susan B. Anthony. I paid my respects to a woman who never saw her efforts come to fruition. But I voted. Her efforts were not for her, they were for me. And that’s the greatest gift anyone can give. Last night friends called Read more

  • A Night of No Returns

    Jessie

    “I’m scared,” they say. This is what I’ve heard from my friends, people who voted like me. They are not angry or sad. The loudest noise has not been a noise at all, but silence. Our democracy has always been full of heated argument, lying, scheming, profanity, change, ingenuity, and passion. Now there is only Read more

  • The Void

    Jessie

    You must feed the void or it will feed on you. That is what writing is. It is standing on a precipice, staring into an endless hole with no guarantee, no possibility really, that you will ever be able to fill it up. And while the void is deep enough already, if you wait, if Read more

  • Day Jobs

    Jessie

    I have a full time job and then some. It has been about eight weeks since I took the position after completing my MFA degree in Creative Writing. And I now no longer have time to write everyday. It is often frustrating, probably adds to some of my sleep issues and exhaustion, but I will Read more

  • New Year New Reads

    Jessie

    Happy 2015! I’m sure everyone plans to read more this year (don’t know that we will, but it’s nice to dream) and I have my first suggestions. My friend Daniela has just translated her debut novel into English, and it’s available for digital download on amazon.com. If you love fantasy (and a good deal) try a Read more

  • Thesis Writing and Movie Titles

    Jessie

    So this happened today … And in 4 weeks the first draft of my thesis is due. These two events together are not particularly conducive to focusing. I try to tell myself it’s writing, that I do it all the time. Like, all the time. But it’s different when I know someone is waiting to Read more

  • National Book Festival 2014

    Jessie

    The National Book Festival was today in DC. I attended for the second year in a row. Perhaps it was more apparent this year, as the venue was indoors rather than out on the national mall, but the festival was incredibly well attended. I sat through four packed presentations and spent the rest of my Read more

  • 10 Signs Finals are Coming (MFA Style)

    Jessie

    10) Your professors actually mention that your class has a syllabus and you do have an exam 9) You realize exams are still something you have to deal with 8 )  Your needing coffee is now a socially acceptable complaint 7) Your needing alcohol is now a socially acceptable complaint 6) Your classes are full Read more

  • Shutdowns

    Jessie

    The Government is shut down. At least that’s what it says on the news. Thanks to all the friends who have asked how I’m doing but as of right now, living in the DC area, the metro is still running and I can get to class. It is not a disaster on a personal level, Read more