creative writing – Caroliena Cabada

When writing begets writing

As I write this blog, I sort of understand the impulse to write so much lead-in. I’ve shared the big news: now where to do I from here?

New Story: “One Fall” in Five on the Fifth

Screenshot of the cover page of Five on the Fifth, Vol. 8, Issue 1

I’m thrilled to share that my short story, “One Fall,” is now published in Five on the Fifth!

New Story: “Swimming Lessons” in Pleiades

I’m delighted to share that my short story, “Swimming Lessons,” is now available online in Pleiades: Literature in Context as an Online Exclusive! I have more to say (about this story, about this being my first acceptance in a while, about this being my first fiction acceptance in an even longer while), but I’ll saveContinue reading “New Story: “Swimming Lessons” in Pleiades”

Hopelessness

A photograph of a watercolor sketch of a landscape scene with a vermillion sculpture in the background.

Near the end of the first-year composition class I taught this summer, one of my students asked, How do you pay attention to the news without feeling totally hopeless?

Repeated Reread: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I reread Fangirl when I just couldn’t look at a screen anymore. Whenever I needed it, I immersed myself in Cath’s highs and lows as a way to distract from my own creative angst.

Sept/Oct 2021 issue of Poets & Writers: My MFA

I talk about Iowa State’s Creative Writing and Environment MFA in the September/October 2021 issue of Poets & Writers!

Best Small Fictions 2021: Preorder available!

Best Small Fictions 2021 is available for preorder!

“I imagine turning to stare into the face” part of March 2021 Poetry We Admire from Palette Poetry

My poem, “I imagine turning to stare into the face,” originally published in Kissing Dynamite, was part of the March 2021 Poetry We Admire: Change selections.

What is within my control

I’ve talked about drawing circles and writing down what’s within my control before. It’s an exercise I did at the start of the academic year, and I haven’t revisited recently because I feel like I’ve either been caught up in taking steps towards my goals, or I’ve been having to rapidly adapt to the newContinue reading “What is within my control”

Decade

As a writer, I know the benefits and enjoy the act of reflecting, perhaps too much.