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Yard Sale of Thoughts

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A Writer’s Inbox

Katie Frances Hartless
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A writer’s inbox is no man’s land. Hit the circular arrow button, but it is returned with a random blitz of reminders, unsolicited coupons, and forgotten app pleas. Landmines awaiting clicks buried cleverly with the purpose of killing time. 

 How long will this stand-off keep me in the trenches? A few weeks of twisting the arrow, and then one day I am bombarded, yet I stand, Commander of Magazines, and declare, “Let there be another word war,” and all the simmering submissions of the last few months come charging through, uncaring of how many nights were lost in the crossing.

A crusade of rejection, and as I sift through the corpses of my creations in search of a surviving sentence, I find that failure assails even the most armored of ink slingers. My dreams, now under water, await truth’s torpedoes, equipped with electronic trackers.

© khartless 2021, All Rights Reserved

Merril is host tonight for Prosery at the d’Verse Poet’s Pub. Tonight’s topic “Bombardment” was explored in exactly 144 words. Join us in sharing a shelling including the line “I am bombarded and yet I stand” from Adrienne Rich’s “Planetarium.”

37 responses to “A Writer’s Inbox”

  1. Jeff Flesch Avatar
    Jeff Flesch

    Wow, K, this is a powerful piece. I love this, “A crusade of rejection, and as I sift through the corpses of my creations in search of a surviving sentence, I find that failure assails even the most armored of ink slingers” That’s so awesome and wonderfully written, my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Many thanks, Jeff. Before I saw the prompt, I was thinking how bombarded my inbox was recently with rejections. So, this bit of prosery was meant to be.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Ingrid Avatar
    Ingrid

    All writers have to deal with the pain of rejection, and you capture that feeling acutely here!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, Ingrid. Tell me it gets easier, or the skin grows another layer. I’m feeling the weight of it here lately.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Ingrid Avatar
        Ingrid

        I think the skin grows another layer: I am now in a place where I can say ‘it’s their loss for not recognizing my talent’ 🤣 remember The Beatles got turned down by Decca 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      2. K.Hartless Avatar
        K.Hartless

        So true. Thank you, Ingrid. Letting the scabs heal and the layers form. 😃

        Liked by 1 person

  3. ben Alexander Avatar
    ben Alexander

    Let there be another word war

    KH, this is so apt, and wise, and funny – all at the same time!

    ❤
    David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thanks, David. Yeah, well, sometimes the silly has to slip out. I appreciate your comments.

      Like

      Reply
  4. abigfatcanofworms Avatar
    abigfatcanofworms

    All I can say is, at least you’re brave enough to step into the ring!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, Worms. It’s true. I know this dream’s worth fighting for, but it would be nice to tag in a doppelganger every once again. Ah well, maybe I can teach my daughter to check emails and soften the blows.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. abigfatcanofworms Avatar
        abigfatcanofworms

        Well I am totally chicken. Haven’t submitted anything so I respect you utterly

        Liked by 1 person

      2. K.Hartless Avatar
        K.Hartless

        Well, you know I’m a huge fan of your works, so I could only say you should join me in my misery. 😂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. abigfatcanofworms Avatar
        abigfatcanofworms

        😆🤣😂 sounds like a plan

        Liked by 1 person

  5. GraceoftheSun Avatar
    GraceoftheSun

    Wonderful and powerful piece, K. Truly enjoyed .💕❤️💕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you very kindly, Grace. Everybody who visits my little Yard Sale of Thoughts and leaves me positive notes, it makes a difference. Truly.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. GraceoftheSun Avatar
        GraceoftheSun

        I completely understand and feel the same way. Truly my pleasure, dear K.💕

        Liked by 1 person

      2. K.Hartless Avatar
        K.Hartless

        💜

        Liked by 1 person

  6. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar
    D. Avery @shiftnshake

    Write on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, kindly. And that I must. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. merrildsmith Avatar
    merrildsmith

    This is so clever and well-written. A very different take on the prompt. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thanks, Merril. It was a good choice for right now when I think many are feeling bombardments of one kind or another. I try to remember that writings an outlet and that feel-good feeling of creating something that didn’t exist before you put it on paper.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. merrildsmith Avatar
        merrildsmith

        You’re welcome, and yes.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Helen Dehner Avatar
    Helen Dehner

    A great write! “Ink Slingers” brought a smile and a chuckle.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      I must say, I think we are quite the clever group of ink slingers. 🙂 I’m so glad you liked this, Helen. Humor is part of the healing.

      Like

      Reply
  9. Ain Avatar
    Ain

    Very powerful writing, right to the last sinking words…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Those trackers. Yep, I’m learning to take on the truth of what can be improved, while trying to keep this writing boat afloat. I appreciate your comment, Ain. Thanks.

      Like

      Reply
  10. Beverly Crawford Avatar
    Beverly Crawford

    Ink slingers … truth slingers … Love the terms.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you kindly, Beverly. Will keep slinging ink, and searching for truth.

      Like

      Reply
  11. Charlotte Avatar
    Charlotte

    This is the most unique angle to the prompt that I’ve read. Bravo! I love it and I totally get it as a submitter myself.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you so much, Charlotte. I’m still reading through all of the wonderful responses myself, but I definitely don’t mind being bombarded with great prose pieces.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Bill Avatar
    Bill

    Yes to all these great comments. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thanks, Bill. Cheers!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I have never tried submitting anything… I would not be able to handle it… maybe I could handle a rejection… but I have seen the response of an editor, and that seemed even worse.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      It’s definitely rollercoasterish. I am overjoyed with a yes because I feel that tug of nos. Hope I’m becoming more rhino so I can take any comments or criticism that comes my way. I’ve learned a lot, so if you ever want to leap off a cliff and submit works, I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned. Thanks for commenting, Björn.

      Like

      Reply
  14. writingwhatnots Avatar
    writingwhatnots

    So cleverly written – the slinging and the sinking! Sometimes I think I’ve got to be a bit of a masochist to submit …

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Well, there’s that. Tell me, does the skin grow thicker after being whipped for months or years? Thanks for your comments. Cheered me up instantly.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. writingwhatnots Avatar
    writingwhatnots

    Yeah, it is less painful each time – but I guess if it didn’t hurt at all we’d have stopped caring about our work? So, keep slinging that ink ✍ 😊

    Like

    Reply

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Katie Frances Hartless

K.F. Hartless (she/her) is a free-spirited fiction writer and word trapeze artist. When she’s not juggling her career as a literacy specialist, she’s preparing her latest death-defying act on the keys.

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