Words, words, words

Last night was the book release party for the Oakland Word Anthology.  I didn't anticipate the excitment and warmth I would feel holding that bound book.  Wow, I'm published.  The paper, the font, the binding, I just loved touching it.  See something I wrote in a table of contents and typeset is an experience like nothing else I've experienced in my life.  Gratitude and thanksgiving to the Oakland Word program for making this all possible!

I got to read again, my story about my parents' acupunture clinic.  I think I'm getting better each time I read it.  At least I try harder to be theatrical.  If anything, I just hope to keep writing for the joy of it.  I realized that putting too much pressure on myself for some kind of recognition or success was the biggest buzz kill to writing.  Life is stifling to me with those kinds of contraints, as is writing.  Art needs to be an element for living, not a destination, tool, or objective.