It's been a long time since I did a Friday Frustration. Today's #FF isn't about saying no to editors, but to family and friends. Since I am the writer in the family (or in particular friend groups), people often ask me to look over their papers or their stories or the copy for their website. And while I like helping people in a general sense, I feel so much pressure when I am asked to help with writing. I volunteered to help a friend move into her new apartment this weekend.

It's been quite a while since I wrote an #FF post, but an idea for today's Friday Frustration came to mind the other day. Recently I started reading the novel Luster, not quite 100 pages in and I love the way Raven Leilani writes. The story itself is compelling enough but what strikes me more is each turn of phrase, a few of which so beautifully worded that I make a face when I read (in a good way). I was digesting some of her sentences with a mixture of awe, inspiration, and

Today I'll be whining even more than usual because I'm overdue for an #FF post. As you may know from past entries, I love watching films. I also enjoy foreign films in particular. Some of the most well-made movies I've ever were not in English. I've dabbled in learning a few languages, but in most of them I can say only a few words and phrases; nothing more. French and Italian, however, are tongues that I know well and it bothers me when the translated titles and/or subtitles

Haven't done an #FF in a while so I'm posting one tonight. Many writers are more sensitive than the average person. I am more sensitive even than most sensitive people. I also dislike the spotlight and most of the time I dislike being looked at, especially up close. So you can imagine how fun it is for me when I sit in a circle and other, more talented writers take a great big shit on my work. I'm exaggerating a bit; the feedback I receive has never been that my prose is abso