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Stroke of Genius.
Ancient Romans believed that each of us was born with a ‘genius’ (from the Latin gignere, meaning “to give birth or bring forth”), a guiding spirit who provided us with our unique thoughts or abilities. This spirit defined us, and gave meaning to our lives. If we had a brilliant idea, it was due to…
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Night. Terror.
Shaking, I turn off lights and lock doors, knowing that wood, brick, and drywall can only keep out some things. A half bottle of wine sits idly in my stomach, no more an immunization than the sleep aids. Already afraid, I steel myself with a hot shower and joyful memories. It’s going to be fine.…
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Wildflowers in Planters.
Today, I met an angel at a coffee shop. I am one that believes that everyone who walks in or out of your life is meant to teach you a lesson. Today, I got a text from a beta telling me that somehow, this story “lines up with everything I’m going through or have been…
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This weekend, I met Lucifer.
I only have one recurring dream. I’m being chased by a shadowy figure. Without need for conversation, I know he wants to kill me. I will do anything to escape–run, hide, fly, fight. But thick mud tugs at my feet, slowing my pace. A canyon opens up before me, hurling me over the edge. Or…
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Character Lost.
This might be one of my first controversial posts. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love discussion, so please feel free to comment with your thoughts. If you follow me on Instagram, you may be aware that I’m currently amidst my first foray into Paradise Lost. I stumbled on a channel that does a…
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The Art of Taking Criticism.
I talk a lot about time. I talk about patience, about dedication, about learning craft, about planting seeds so that future you might reap their rewards. Easy to forget, however, is the critical component that allows us to improve: criticism. I am not my own worst critic. One of them, sure, but like many people,…
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Faster Horses.
We don’t always know what we need. The broader picture eludes us–we aren’t looking from a vantage that shows all the budding technologies, the waxing and waning socioeconomic trends, or even the small undercurrents sweeping through our relationships. We see the world through our window–though it may be beautiful, it’s very limited. During my 200…
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Rest.
Today’s #AestheticAdventure theme on Twitter is #Rest. But when I think about my character’s resting, it’s not about where they lay their heads or the few hours of sleep they accumulate every couple of days. For me, rest means a downshift, a moment where the tension of the story is ever-so-slightly relieved. In real life,…
Illegibly K.M. West 