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I came to Substack for community. Having closed my accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram when they went down the broligarchy-ad-algorithm plug hole, I soon found I missed connecting directly with readers and other writers online.
It’s been so good reconnecting with the many people I’d lost track of and making new friends. This platform is full of the people I love to love: thoughtful readers and writers, creatives and creativists, who enjoy sharing and learning.
Our chatroom is subscriber-only: a haven where we can talk together, in text and live audio salon, about books and poetry and what it takes to create them.
About what it takes to create any good thing in this world.
I’d love you to join us.
I’ve been writing a short story every single day on my blog about life here in Michigan. Most of the stories revolve around me, Jerry, and my Dad, who moved in with us after my mom passed. The dogs are regular characters too—my goldendoodle Bianca, Dad’s little Yorkshire terrier Sofia—and every now and then the cat, Nala, makes an appearance when she feels like supervising us. The kids, Gerard and Mary, and the grandkids pop in from time to time as well. Basically, if you’re breathing in my house, you’re fair game for a story.
This all started back in October when a friend challenged me to start blogging. I didn’t expect much from it—but it turns out I absolutely love it. So much so that I’ve decided to start putting together another book made up of short stories.
Every night now, I write two stories. One is a shorter version for the blog. The other is a longer version of the same story that might become a chapter in a book… or might not. I’m being picky. I only want the gold stories for the book. I already have enough material for about nine books, but I’m waiting for the ones that really shine—the ones that make me laugh out loud or think, okay, this one stays.
I’m inviting you to be part of this little life project of mine. The response so far has been really encouraging, and people seem to enjoy these stories, which still surprises me. If you have time, I’d love for you to read along and tell me which ones you like best. They’re definitely not all great—but some of them are pretty funny. Most are written in the first person, and all of them are real life, slightly exaggerated for survival.
Thanks for being here and sharing this ride with me.
Love,
Donna Zolkowski
Lovely to see you Orna and brilliant timing I’ve just published my first novel.