A weekly, non-exhaustive list (curated by Steven Genise) of the experiences that make us human.
“What brings me joy regardless of how bad the day might be going are my favorite ink pens. They’re Uniball Eye fine points, specifically model UB-157. I like the green ones best, though they don’t sell them in the states. I buy them in bulk whenever I’m in the UK, gently packing them in my hand luggage and praying they won’t burst when the cabin pressure changes on my flight back home. But once I have them safely on my desk and I uncap one to scribe a new idea, it’s almost impossible to hold back a smile.”—Rachel Gilman, author, editor.
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“Reworking your work and writing can be quite tedious, but that feeling of fullness after editing your work is so warming. The concentration needed to get your story where you want it to be is like burning a slow candle inside you, such a warm feeling of knowing the work you’re doing is done and excitement of knowing it has yet to hit the ceiling.”—Amber Dodd, assistant CNF editor, Sundog Lit
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“Little things that make me happy: Remembering and having enough energy to get my teeth brushed before bed, taking out the trash before the Thursday AM pickup. Checking things off a list. Being in the middle of reading a new book and knowing it will last for at least a few more days. The smell of freshly cut wood. When a long-closed room or person opens up to me.”—Millicent Borges Accardi, author
Steven Genise is an author and editor based in Seattle. He loves reading about all the things you’re grateful for. If you’d like to be included, email him at stevengenise@gmail.com or DM him on Twitter @StevenGenise
JMWW 