sometimes i get a little overwhelmed with the wonder of it all. there’s just so much potential that i’m completely in awe. it’s nights like this when the passion burns in my guts that i think ‘yes, i can do this. i can be a writer.’

i blame it on this evening. jodie and i went to a reading at the loft. beautiful robert, of last class at the loft fame, was reading with some others from the loft’s mentor series. the space was filled, not too many chairs empty, and that thrilled me. there was love of words in the air and i took big, gulping breaths.

robert read a wonderful story wonderfully. i bought an issue of the greensboro review, with his story “zamboni blues.” i talked to dale, of current class at the loft fame, and it was great. he talked about a little about the mentor program and how great it was to be involved. then he asked if i was going to apply. of course, i turned into doubting thomas, and said no. but he encouraged me to try.

and that’s all it takes, a little encouragement. i see dale and rob at these things and they’re doing it. dale is especially inspiring since he comes from a copywriting background, exactly what i do.

so then i come home and i read rob’s “zamboni blues” and it’s wonderful and touching and funny. and it’s something i could do. i can write like that. my stories, they are like that. if he can be published, why can’t i?

why can’t i?

and i know it’s tough. and i know people don’t read, and they especially don’t read short stories. but i don’t care. i just want to try. because the potential of it all fills me with something that’s a lot like a happiness to be alive.