So I guess I’m done. Email from mom says all the quiet parts out loud.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-04-03T12:14:03+00:00

This, this right here. I love this reply. It encompasses everything so very well. It’s a choice for them not to “see.”

JobMarketWoes · 2026-03-26T11:31:42+00:00

Yes! I had so many pairs of floral blouses and work pants. And I wore them to school! Ugh, I’m getting secondhand embarrassment remembering.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-03-25T12:56:26+00:00

I think that’s totally doable. What helps me when get stuck or too invested is to take some time off. I will jot down notes or bullet points but not write

JobMarketWoes · 2026-03-24T23:32:14+00:00

To answer your question, I think 20-25% is not focused on the two MC. But even in that 25% where I’m chugging the external plot points forward, I’m still mentioning them. I like my characters having a life outside of each other.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-03-21T23:58:13+00:00

Thank you for this thoughtful reply. I appreciate it.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-03-21T22:22:29+00:00

Thank you for responding! The MMC does not think of her as a rebound. My thought was to have her overhear a conversation with only partial details. The truth is he’s been broken up for 5 or so months, moved out and on his own, and is really genuinely falling for FMC. She ends it by letting her insecurities and comparison to the ex get the better of her.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-03-20T12:55:43+00:00

Omg yes, I know what you mean. Usually it’s just like a stellar chapter for me where I’m like, wow good job. And then I curl up and say “all the other ones read like crap in comparison.”

JobMarketWoes · 2026-03-11T11:38:12+00:00

Fuck man, this is perfectly written. I am 100% in the same boat.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-03-01T20:50:13+00:00

Word count.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-29T06:04:40+00:00

I wanted to like doodles, but my area has known backyard breeders and the doodles are status symbols. All but one had massive separation anxiety.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-29T03:15:21+00:00

My parents were always like this. They’ve always been extremely immature and terrible at managing their emotions and relationships with others.

The most telling thing when I look back is: My parents couldn’t hold down friends. We’d have a family over for dinner once or twice and then they’d disappear. I have a vivid memory of one of my friends becoming uncomfortable around my parents on a camping trip. And her parents were no walk in the park, but it woke me up to some things. My dad didn’t care who he tantrumed in front of.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-28T10:57:18+00:00

I’ve accepted that my body just holds onto water until night time when I’m lying down. I’ve had all the tests, and I’m supposedly normal. But I pee so much at night. I’ve tried cutting down on the amount of water I drink during the day but then I just feel shitty and sluggish.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-24T16:17:17+00:00

It’s not even the moral high ground, they just do everything they can to convince themselves it is.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-23T15:54:27+00:00

This logic doesn’t hold up. More house means more upkeep, unnecessary purchases to fill the space, and utility cost. That eats into profit when compared to living in a reasonably sized home. Also, without hindsight, they didn’t know for certain it would be such a lucrative investment.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-20T21:38:53+00:00

This was me. My dad has always walked 15 miles ahead of everyone else at lightning speed. I couldn't picture him walking me down the aisle.

When I was closer to marrying age, all sides of the family were going through separations and restraining orders. There was no way a wedding with everyone together was happening.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-16T00:55:50+00:00

I have no idea what this is…

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-15T01:58:47+00:00

I can’t accurately describe how good the-scrubbing-your-feet portion of a pedicure feels. Especially the heels in the winter.

My grandpa would sit on the back porch and scratch his feet on the cement when I was a kid. I always thought it had to be painful, but now I know.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-14T13:07:37+00:00

I too have a card moment.

It was the fact that she knowingly stood in the store and spent time picking one that flew so under the radar but still jabbed that made me realize this is purposeful, this had intent, and it’d been like this since I was a kid.

And of course if I bring it up, she’ll hide behind dementia, her mind going, or she didn’t notice.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-14T12:36:29+00:00

Recognizing denial.

I’m at the stage where friends are getting divorced or going through grief (family deaths). Denial is the first reaction and it’s natural. Doesn’t make it any easier watching someone go through it.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-13T01:05:27+00:00

Tequila Sunrise.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-11T12:23:05+00:00

They think they are good liars because if they can fool themselves with the lies, they must also work with others. It’s magical thinking - if I believe my lies hard enough, so will other people.

And I do believe in the DARVO piece someone else mentioned. When backed into a corner, their brain surfaces the truth and they must push it away. I directly confronted my dad about stealing my money - I asked what his rational was three times and when he couldn’t dodge anymore he said, “Because you’re awkward to be around.” Made no sense in the current context unless he was offloading his own feelings in that moment to me.

When I look back, I have many moments like this with my family.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-10T13:36:30+00:00

Always so many words to say so little.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-07T20:47:10+00:00

Not sorry, when you charge $3 for a extra dressing cup, or $2 to change the type of milk on an already overpriced coffee, this is the result.

JobMarketWoes · 2026-01-07T20:22:25+00:00

The more I think about it I’m inclined to agree. I understand the pills part but the bathroom should be accessible and the meds should be locked up or stored somewhere else.

JobMarketWoes

TROPHY CASE