Mesa, this is amazing!! I would love to add your TLS to the big beautiful archive of published work by WITD writers if you're okay with it. Let me know! xoxoxo
I didn't do it alone, even though it feels sometimes like we do. I realized that I wouldn't be a good writerly peer if I kept it all locked away. It feels much better to share! That’s my natural instinct. Anything else was just fear. ❤️
Thank you so much for this, Mesa! I was so inspired by your success, and I didn’t want/couldn’t wait to try my own. My story is unconventional and not a moment in time…but spans six months, so I’m not holding my breath to hear from the editor. Just wanted to see how long I should wait until I go ahead and post it on Substack (after I assume it won’t be in the Times). So I will give it a few weeks. 😊 Thanks again!!! You are a gem for sharing!
Figured I had nothing to lose!!! I wrote my memoir last year (under a pen name), so this was fresh and easy. And ultimately, I like my story, even if no one else does. 🥰
I figured as much. I haven’t published this at all anywhere yet. But if I don’t hear anything in a few weeks, I figure it will be fair game for me to do as I like with it.
Mesa you are the gift that keeps on giving!! Thank you so much for sharing what so many others would gate keep. You are such a spark of love and light in my life.
Mesa, your generosity and transparency are lovely! Thank you for choosing to bypass your overthinking brain (I know how hard that can be) and share your process. It's inspirational and deeply encouraging! ❤️
Thank you for sharing <3 As someone just looking at the water, thinking about dipping a toe in publishing anything, this feels so much less mysterious than I had made it out to be in my mind!
Thank you for sharing your experience! I've also sent a handful with no response. Just as you said, keep sending them because you have nothing to lose!
Thank you! I remember your butter knife snippet in WITD and I *so* admire that you made a mini essay of it and *submitted* it to the NEW. YORK. TIMES!! I think about your rollerskate piece all the time. Can't wait to see it published someday - if it feels right for you, of course ;) Congrats again. I'm thrilled for you!
Thanks for so generously sharing your process, Mesa! You’ve inspired me to try. Now I just have to figure out what to write. ❤️
So happy to know i’ve inspired you!! My brain initially overwhelmed me with moments I could share and then I picked up that knife! Find your knife ❤️
Yes
Mesa, this is amazing!! I would love to add your TLS to the big beautiful archive of published work by WITD writers if you're okay with it. Let me know! xoxoxo
Thank you Jeannine!! I would love that!! Appreciate you and your support!! 😍😍
Yay -- I will try to add it later today. Congratulations, Mesa, and thank you for sharing your process with your community. It's so generous.
I couldn't not share. I had to! 😍
I didn't do it alone, even though it feels sometimes like we do. I realized that I wouldn't be a good writerly peer if I kept it all locked away. It feels much better to share! That’s my natural instinct. Anything else was just fear. ❤️
"Anything else was just fear." OOOOOooooo, that's a keeper!
I feel like I need to print that out or put it on stickers 😍😍😍🤣
Me too!
Okay done! The list is alphabetical by title of work, so yours is first ❤️
Thank you so much!!!! 😍😍😍
Thank you, Mesa! Your generosity and heart mean the world! 💛
Appreciate your kindness and heart too!
💛♥️💛🥳
Yay!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thanks Jolene!!
Oh beloved friend. You continue to inspire and fill my heart with love and magic. I adore you. I’m off to begin my TLS journey! 💃🏽🤟🏽😘
YAYYY!!!! I'm so happy to hear that!! Love you so much 😍😍😍
Thank you! This is encouraging to hear. Inspired by your persistence and your insights.
So happy it’s helping!! ❤️❤️
Thank you so much for this, Mesa! I was so inspired by your success, and I didn’t want/couldn’t wait to try my own. My story is unconventional and not a moment in time…but spans six months, so I’m not holding my breath to hear from the editor. Just wanted to see how long I should wait until I go ahead and post it on Substack (after I assume it won’t be in the Times). So I will give it a few weeks. 😊 Thanks again!!! You are a gem for sharing!
♥️
Angie
So glad you took a chance!! Fingers crossed for you!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Figured I had nothing to lose!!! I wrote my memoir last year (under a pen name), so this was fresh and easy. And ultimately, I like my story, even if no one else does. 🥰
So one thing I've learned is that they don't accept previously published work.. just fyi :)
Here's hoping for the best!!
I figured as much. I haven’t published this at all anywhere yet. But if I don’t hear anything in a few weeks, I figure it will be fair game for me to do as I like with it.
Nice of you to share what worked for you, thank you Mesa! Must be the week for Aha's!
YAYYYY!!
Mesa you are the gift that keeps on giving!! Thank you so much for sharing what so many others would gate keep. You are such a spark of love and light in my life.
I love you- congratulations 🎊🍾🎉🎈
P.s. the pic w LG 😍🏆
❤️❤️❤️❤️ Love you K!! Appreciate you so much!!
Very generous of you, dear Mesa, to share your process with us and I couldn't be happier for your debut in The New York Times.
Thanks Amy!! 😍😍
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your success story!
Thank you!! Happy to help ❤️❤️❤️
Mesa, your generosity and transparency are lovely! Thank you for choosing to bypass your overthinking brain (I know how hard that can be) and share your process. It's inspirational and deeply encouraging! ❤️
Thank you Lori! Appreciate you!! ❤️
Thank you for sharing <3 As someone just looking at the water, thinking about dipping a toe in publishing anything, this feels so much less mysterious than I had made it out to be in my mind!
I'm so glad Cassidy!! Nothing mysterious about it, just a lot of work and perseverance! ❤️❤️❤️
How fun! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Julie!! ❤️
Thank you for sharing your experience! I've also sent a handful with no response. Just as you said, keep sending them because you have nothing to lose!
Yes!! Keep going!! ❤️❤️
Thank you, Mesa! This is so helpful. I'm inspired to try write my own TLS. Even if it takes a few years, like it took you. Thank you!! xoxoxo
YAYYYY!!!! That makes me so happy!!!! I hope it doesn't take you long at all!! Cheering you on always Monika!! ❤️❤️
Thank you! I remember your butter knife snippet in WITD and I *so* admire that you made a mini essay of it and *submitted* it to the NEW. YORK. TIMES!! I think about your rollerskate piece all the time. Can't wait to see it published someday - if it feels right for you, of course ;) Congrats again. I'm thrilled for you!
Thank you!! 😊