Published

In September 2024, I got this response to a short story I submitted to a magazine.

That initial rejection hurt as much as it gave me hope. They liked it, but there were better submissions out there. That's the name of the game. It doesn't necessarily mean your work was bad; there were just pieces they liked more.

But then exactly one year later, in September 2025, I got word the same story would be published. I loved the story so much I continuously "shopped" for a home for it for more than a year. As much as I wanted people to read it, I didn't want to post it here or on my website. I wanted to see it published.

While the magazine that accepted it is new and small, this is a big deal for me. It's my first publication! I'm proud of it and also very proud to be able to share this story with all of you. Thank you so much to Interweaved Magazine for accepting my work. The theme of "change and grief" of this specific issue felt perfect for this story.

I honestly don't know where this specific idea came from. There have been many times where a word or phrase gets stuck in my head for no apparent reason, and then I'll sit down to create a story around those words. During the beginning of 2024, I couldn't stop thinking about "dandelions and Diet Coke." Why? Again, I have no idea. I think it was the alliteration that made it stick in my brain. I then thought about a grandma obsessed with both dandelions and Diet Coke, and a story very quickly came together and took on a life of its own.

I wanted to share this little win with you all. I haven't been very active on here in the last year, but I am still writing.

If you would like to check it out, the magazine is available online and free to read here!