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Peter Schmader's avatar

So many of my favorite parts of a story appear between ( ). There’s something that happens within them for the writer that can’t be reached, just so, outside them. They’re rarely merely throwaway asides, I think. To me, they’re essential: “(A thought I had while composing the above: I wish there were an ampersand for or. For any number of words. If written English went a little rebusward, I’d be happy.)”

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Ken, or Kenny Genku Erickson's avatar

This line (among others) rings clear:

if you spend a lot of time imagining a person’s reaction to a present it’s probably a sign that the present is mostly about you, anyhow.

And for rebus-like text, try Swedish. Everything can be a snappy an acronym, TXT (till exempel, for example).

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Kathryn Warren's avatar

OMG next time I’m there! Love this story.

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Elizabeth McCracken's avatar

I should have told you about it when you went! I forget that it's there until I'm there.

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Kathryn Warren's avatar

I’ll get back there!

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Dian Parker's avatar

Ah yes, presents to self, disguised as gifts to others. Love this! And all the early morning swims.

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Cari Wade Gervin's avatar

I feel like my comments are always “I love this,” but I really love this!

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Marina Endicott's avatar

A present for yourself—this one is perfect.

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Alice Elliott Dark's avatar

So touching.

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Adam Voith's avatar

Love this one!

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Kathy Valentine's avatar

I'm not getting any newsletters and just thought everyone had stopped writing them. Now I have to go back and read all I've missed from you.xk

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Javachik's avatar

Perfect.

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