I’ve been editing and rewriting my first novel that sparked promise in me. The early few novellas I wrote at the end of fifth grade and into sixth are important in the sense of a toddler’s first fingerpainting. I proved to myself that I could make something. The idea behind the novel I’ve been working... Continue Reading →
I remember sitting legs crossed on the floor in kindergarten learning about units of measurement. Back then, we didn’t call it “units of measurement.” Not us kids anyway. We were only starting our quest to learn about the world we live in. We listened to the teacher tell a story about measurement. She didn’t have... Continue Reading →
You might have realized we live in a patriarchal society, but I’m not surprised if you haven’t realized it. We’ve lived this way for so long that the effects have been internalized and adapted to our everyday life without realizing that’s an act of patriarchy. Almost every time I interact with people I see or... Continue Reading →
Every year, I experience seasonal depression. After Thanksgiving, my husband heads off to hunting camp with a group of fellow hunters. It ruins my holiday high and leaves me feeling less than jolly. I feel an overwhelming quietness. Spending most of my days alone and writing means this is not an unusual occurrence; however, it... Continue Reading →
During my senior year at Mansfield University, I took an honors course titled “Are We Free?” and never thought it would be relevant in my personal life. I mean, we live in America for freedom’s sake. This is the land of the free and home of the brave after all… right? June 24, 2022, slapped... Continue Reading →
There is something inside of me that has purred since I began to learn of awareness. Awareness of others surrounding me. Awareness of the influence others held on me. Awareness of my own influence on others. The latter has always been misunderstood (by myself). Never did I think I possessed the power over others or... Continue Reading →
Well, this is overdue. After being hired and working as a customer service representative, my fears of the future were somewhat proven. I want to blame having a full-time job as my block to continuing my growth in literacy. It’s amazing how deflated my once swelled-beyond-capacity-mind feels shrunk to discombobulated thoughts and long pauses with... Continue Reading →
Like the snow laden branches of the white pines rooted in my mom’s property, I’ve felt worry, doubt, unacted hope—many snowflakes—overwhelm me to a drooped stupor. For several seasons, I lived through the snow and waited for glimpses of sun. I shaded the deeper parts of myself, so those snowflakes remained while I thought I... Continue Reading →
This beautiful woman of 22 years wrote and read a poem that is going to stand with our American poet mentors and laureates. In honor of Amanda Gorman, I'm sharing her poem "The Hill We Climb." Personally, I think many poets would agree, listening to a poet speak their poem is immensely different than reading... Continue Reading →
Writers keep history, shape cultures, and evoke empathy. Some of those writers try to focus on releasing tension from their reality more than earning compensation for their words. Some elite writers share their ideas of history, culture, and empathy while receiving livable wages, yet I’m proud of all the writers. I’ve had success these few... Continue Reading →
There’s uncertainty in how I want to live and how to do so. The uncertainty stems from the variety of perfectly sufficient ways to live a content and happy life. The decisions we must make to reach the outcome of satisfaction and happiness aren’t easily decided, accepted, or enforced, while life throws us curve balls... Continue Reading →
The puppies had their first experience in accumulated snow. The first day it snowed, the snowflakes were light and still falling without accumulating on the ground. They barely reacted to it, which was a little disappointing. It was reliving in a way, though. They could deal with change. Never had they seen white flakes falling... Continue Reading →
The other day my husband and I watched the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. It discusses how our phones and social media are addictive, and how we all see alternate realities online. When we finished watching, my husband said, “They should play that every year in schools.” I agreed. Since graduating college, I’ve learned that... Continue Reading →
The puppies whined and pounced at me as my alarm went off Saturday morning. After snoozing it five times, I finally obeyed their wishes to feed them. We were alone (like usual as of late). If anyone didn’t know, every weekend after Thanksgiving marks the first weekend of rifle season for deer. My husband was... Continue Reading →
I watched The Andy Griffith Show with my husband during our junior year of college. I remember sitting in my grandmother's living room, and this show would come on that old TV, making it seem older than it was because the show was black and white in the early seasons. Anything that makes me nostalgic... Continue Reading →
In the age of TikTok, social problems that we used to only hear about in classrooms are entering our daily feeds. Thanksgiving has been a controversial holiday for me over the last few years. In elementary school, I remember learning about the pilgrims. I’m sure the Native Americans were squeaked in there somewhere. Thanksgiving, Valentine’s... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I feel at war with myself, but I know that’s not how I should feel. War within the self is a confusing paradox. It has to be civil war since it’s all within the same body, but it seems impossible to be at a war with oneself when you can’t live with an uncrossable... Continue Reading →
After graduating college, I spent time editing old stories, but I mostly planned my wedding. My fiancé was a roofer, but he found a job in his field of study not even a month after graduating. As you can imagine, I was thrusted into the role of housewife and wedding planner. I think my fiancé... Continue Reading →
When I was younger and told my play space was too dirty (usually you couldn’t walk in it), I’d grab armfuls of toys off the ground and pack up boxes to put them above the garage because that was where all the surplus crap went. I never looked at those toys again, yet we kept... Continue Reading →
In August, I found two puppies online. It began with me being depressed from all the stress and scrolling through puppies for sale in the dead of night. I don’t recommend it. Thanks to COVID, all the puppies were both over a grand. I sent them to my husband’s phone for him to receive in... Continue Reading →
E.H. Campbell 