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The Unexpected Shape Café

Public • 468 • Free

18 contributions to The Unexpected Shape Café
How is what you're reading inspiring what you're writing?
I feel that being a writer is a relational process, that my art is inspired by reading. Currently, I'm drawn to Audre Lorde's essay, "My Mother's Mortar," which explores the intimate relationship between mothers and daughters and the connection with the body and self. I've been thinking about the interwoven nature of women's relationships and how we support each other as we confront societal oppression. The project that I'm working on is a celebration of female ancestral ties and women's bodies, including my own. Lorde speaks to the heart of my writing. What piece or writer is currently nurturing your creative process?
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New comment Oct 2
1 like • Sep 16
My current project is a sci-fi novel, and I've been reading quite a few sci-fi novels for inspiration. I've also been reading non fiction on AI and climate change for world-building. I'm realizing two things: the kinds of writing out there are extremely diverse and it's not so much about writing something realistic, as it is about writing something interesting, thought provoking, and worth reading. So reading has been quite eye-opening and helpful for me. Two sci-fi gems I read recently are An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green, and its sequel A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor.
Poetry recs
yes hello calling writers who read poetry. Song lyrics, epics welcome. Surprise me. (I'll comment mine monthly, but you go first 🐽👀🫴🙏)
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New comment Nov 7
3 likes • Sep 16
A friend recently recommended me this one: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49303/howl
Debut Novel Available for Pre-order!
Hi folks, I'm happy to announce that my debut novel Dear Haider is scheduled for publication on June 1, 2024, by Baraka Books! https://www.barakabooks.com/catalogue/dear-haider/ It's one of those stories that came to me fully formed in a flash, as I was recovering from a severe mental health crisis. I was at the time in school, but had a break between undergrad and grad school, and wrote most of the first draft in that two month period. I wasn't fully satisfied with my draft however, and due to the demands of grad school, left the manuscript alone for almost 5 years. Then, a close friend of mine, who works as a medical copywriter, generously offered to edit my manuscript with me. It was the pandemic, so we went on Zoom every Sunday and worked on 2-3 chapters for a few hours at a time, for a period of four months. I will be forever indebted to her. Then, I think I did things quite backwards. Instead of trying agents and big publishers first, which I didn't have confidence to shoot for, I submitted to two small presses. One of them, whose founder happened to be my parents' friend and neighbour, immediately made an offer. And the rest is history. I'm happy to share more about my writing/publishing journey, so if you're interested, let me know and feel free to ask questions!
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New comment Jun 6
0 likes • Feb 16
@Monique Gonzalez Thanks for your kind words!
1 like • Jun 6
@Dan Stephensen Thank you! My book launch is on June 12, for anyone who is interested! It is located in Montreal, Canada, but will also be live-streamed (please email info@barakabooks.com for the zoom link).
WINS. I want your WINS!
The past couple of weeks I've been working 4.5 jobs and my head has been spinning; this week is marginally less hectic, thank goodness. So what I really need right now is to check in with my superstar authors here in the Café and find out: What are your WINS for the past week? Triumphs! Tales of Success! Share your glories with me! YOU ARE MIGHTY! <3
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New comment Jul 30
1 like • Mar 12
I had a few rough weeks as well, starting with a break up with a partner of 4 years, followed by an ugly falling out with someone I thought was a friend, and then a hard conversation with my mom that ended in a fight. There is a silver lining though: despite the pain I'm in, and perhaps because of it, I've been feeling very creative, and have been expanding on and reworking my current writing project, my second novel. Perhaps everything happens for a reason, and we just have to wait and find out. It's not always true, of course, but I need to tell myself this right now.
0 likes • Mar 13
@Dan Stephensen Thanks, Dan, for your kind words. Yes, I'm in the middle of processing the grief. Given what had happened, I'm actually not doing so badly, so that's a positive.
Art Inspiring Art
I was wondering where other writers find their inspiration outside of prose/poetry. I love visiting my local art museum and sitting under Agnes Martin's "Wind." I also take ceramic classes and create pieces exploring the themes of my writing. How about you all?
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New comment Feb 6
1 like • Feb 6
For me, it's always been the real life stories of people I know. I know quite a few interesting people who had some unusual experiences, and perhaps because I'm a good listener, they all felt compelled to share their life story with me. Sometimes these stories are so fantastical that I have trouble believing them. But my principle is, if they believe it's true, then it is true, at least, to them. And these stories have been a major fuel for me.
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@lili-zeng-7402
Aspiring writer

Active 21d ago
Joined Sep 30, 2023
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