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Weekend Thread: 1000 Words Surprises

Give me what you got.

Jami Attenberg
Jun 21, 2025
∙ Paid

Hi friends.

Moments ago, I sent a draft of my new novel to Kristen to read. Briefly, I felt like vomiting (totally normal), but I’m glad I sent it.

It made me think about how the real risk in writing sometimes is not the time we commit to it or the way we dig so deep within ourselves (although those are certainly risks!), but the act of choosing to share it with people. Everything’s nice and safe if we just keep it all for ourselves. But asking people’s opinions on it? Jumping off a goddamn cliff.

Here’s to a soft landing.

Today I’m wondering about your experience with #1000wordsofsummer. I first want to extend a big thank you to all those who donated. We made our goal of $26,000, with an extra $200 as lagniappe, which went to The Lynx Watch. Thanks for your commitment to these wonderful charities.

As to the writing itself, I’ve mentioned this before, but there is always a surprise in my own work every summer.

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