Writer, screenwriter, person…?
Is there anything more sweat-inducing than the classic, “So tell me about yourself?” (Nope. I am literally sweating through my palms onto my keyboard right now.)
Don’t get me wrong; I think this publication is awesome! I just don’t know how to do this right.
There’s just something that feels futile and reductive about trying to tell someone who you are in the space of one Medium story.
But maybe I’m a little more f*cked up in regards to “about me’s” than your average bear.
See, back in the day, 10–12 years ago, I thought I was going to be…
It’s just not as simple as people like to think it is
I recently wrote out my feelings about the ‘other woman,’ and in many instances, the comments I got were reminders that the situation was my partner’s fault, suggestions that I should leave him, or implications that because I chose to forgive him I should have no more feelings on the matter.
I find myself now needing to defend myself and all people who tell their own complicated truths.
There’s this pervasive trend online where someone tells their story (which is really just a part of a larger story) and readers seem to think that they understand the situation well enough…
Not all ‘other women’…
Shit, I don’t want to do this. When I tell you I really don’t want to write this story, I mean it.
Unfortunately, I woke up this morning at 6:30 am and my brain was already dictating it for me, and now, the subsequent feelings are stuck in my chest, and I don’t see them going away until I do this.
So here it is.
When I found out my partner had had some sort of affair (details then fuzzy), my first reaction was not anger at either party; just sadness and a need to understand.
My experience was both…
OPEN LETTERS
But is my dad secretly talking to me?
My dad wrote this letter and gave it to me to make sure his youngest son — just eight months old now — receives it when needed in distant the future.
(He also told me I was welcome to use and publish it as I pleased.)
Though young at heart, my dad is much older than the typical father of a baby, and he occasionally worries about whether he will be able to be the dad he wants to be when his son is going through those crazy teenage years.
Or that’s what he told me his rationale was.
Is…
OPEN LETTERS
An open letter to my neighbor
My dad wrote an open letter to his neighbor and shared it with me to share on Medium. This seems perfect the place for it.
Dear D,
I look across the alley and see your lovely partner J embracing and preparing for motherhood, but it seems to me, without the support she wants and needs.
You previously asked for some tips, so I’m going to give you some overdue advice — some coaching, as it were.
I have four children from two partners spanning thirty years of active teamwork…and every day I touch base with my thirty-year-old between stints of…
FICTION
From the desk of GOD
My father wrote this for Mother’s Day ten years ago and shared it with me this week. It’s a beautiful piece, and I thought you all would enjoy it.
From the desk of GOD
Well, it’s mother’s day again. I expect I will have all those women looking up at me again, asking about this tough job, this motherhood thing.
First, let me say creation is a wonderful power, but it’s not all that easy. I know I made it sound pretty simple…” In the beginning, etc etc etc, but…
The truth is, I did write all that, or rather, had that all written….but the…
THIS HAPPENED TO ME
It’d surprise the ‘me’ of several months ago…
Hi folks! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?
You know, I think about all of you every day.
And my lack of participation here in any capacity over recent weeks and months has been a bit of a cloud hanging over my head. It’s not an ominous black cloud, mind you, but a cloud nonetheless.
So I wanted to explain, particularly for the sake of those who have been worried (Thank you!) where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing…
In short, I’ve been writing and publishing erotica.
Whaaaaat??
Yep. And there’s actually a bit of a story to it.
…
New and interesting writers!
Hey Medium Family!
It’s time for another quick check-in from About Me Stories (which as of this moment, has 1,930 followers!).
Writers, thank you for your stories, your introspection, and your honesty.
Readers, I think you’re going to enjoy this week’s crop. 😉
10 Selected About Me Stories
As is the case nearly every week, we received some beautiful, funny, and insightful stories. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did, and I hope you find a new favorite Medium writer among those featured.
Without further, here are 10 ‘about me’ stories from 10 unique writers…
“I have a terrible habit of telling the story before the story before the story, like those nested Russian dolls.”
“When I graduated from University, my mom said to me, ‘I know you will never come home.’ I didn’t believe her at the time. But she was right.”
“I don’t mean that I was a bad person, or a mean person, or a malicious person, but simply that I was an asshole.”
“I don’t own a house or a retirement fund, but neither do I have a Bucket List, a job I hate, or all the answers.”
“My content comes from everyone and everything I encounter. I never run out of content because every day of my life — including some of my dreams — is content.”
“I am a true Aquarian by nature — obstinate, eccentric, unconventional, and friendly.”
“I am obsessed with achieving efficiency. This translates into a passion for spotting improvement opportunities in everything I do…”
“Right now I’d say I am someone who doesn’t smile as much as she once did. I’m deeply reflective with many stories fixated inside my skull.”
“People in my life aren’t quite ready to listen to my stories, but someone somewhere might be.”
“So, let’s see…where do I start? What do I put in the introduction of my introduction? My name? My birthday? My…fondness for funky socks?”
New and interesting writers!
Hey Medium Family!
It’s that time again. Time, that is, for another quick check-in from About Me Stories!
To those who wrote stories this week, thank you! It’s always very cool and inspiring to see the breadth of life experiences and interests that are represented here on Medium and in About Me Stories.
Weekly follower count update: 1,872. Wow. (I’m going to place my bet now that I’ll get to announce breaking that 2K mark in about three weeks' time.)
Shameless Plug
Before we get to the stories, I’ve got to slip in a quick publication plug. I want to make sure…
New and interesting writers!
Hey Medium Family!
Just another quick check-in from About Me Stories!
To those who wrote stories this week, thank you. They were thoughtful and fascinating, and reading them was an absolute pleasure.
The publication, crazy as this is, seems to be growing at a rate of about 50 followers per week, and as of today, there are 1,820 of you! ❤ (Woah.)
Shameless Plug
I just want to take a quick second to make sure you’ve heard about my publication, Introspection, Exposition, which showcases the work of honest and talented writers. …
