Actually, I think he would appreciate knowing now rather than later that he needs some serious outside help. I'm going to go through the whole thing (it's not that long) and point out examples of what's not working. The story itself is actually not that bad, once you get past the beginner-level prose.

I got some good news in the mail today...a disability arts magazine at some university in Ohio wants to run the tattoo article, if there's room for it. They sent me a form for a biographical statement, and I hope there is room because they can pay me and it has been too long since that has happened. Have no clue what to write in a bio though, especially the section about how disability affects what I write. If/when it comes out, I'll put an announcement in Beep me, but I am beginning to understand magazines enough to suspect that is premature,(and I hardly trust Ohio any more, but hey) but still, yay! And I sent the longer version, which I prefer. I think I was too accomodating about the cuts, really, but being in that magazine was a big goal and stuff so I thought it was worth it. I still do, but there are a few things I wish I'd pushed back on, just a little.

Ooh, erika, yay you!

I know! That is just so bitchin', huh? Especially since I sent it off in August and kind of forgot about it, and when I didn't hear, I thought they didn't want it. Because, as most of you know, stuff by new writers tends to get the "Have a nice summer!" treatment. It's happened to me many times already and I've not pounded that much pavement.

Totally! Yeah, makes quite a nice surprise when you thought it was already passed up. Fun!

Erika, that's great. I sympathize about the bio, though. I'm lousy at writing about myself.

When it comes to making a good impression, me too. I could just lay out whatever if somebody said "Tell me your life story." Even with all the David Copperfield crap in it, but this calls for presentation, which isn't easy when your life makes it hard to fill in Occupation, for heaven's sake. "political dissident" "creative artist" "Character witness"(which privilege/responsibility I've exercised twice)"Birth survivor" (I could put down any of those things. It was easier when I could write "student".) I've never put "None" though. Whatever ego I have won't let me.

Erika -- what excellent news!

I usually end up writing something that makes me sound like a good dog, without the crotch-sniffing part.

I like "Character witness" a lot.