Notices by Margaret Sefton (margaretsefton@writing.exchange)

One reason I am not surprised by the flavor and fervor of this recent wave of extreme #Christiannationalism is that I attended a conservative seminary earlier in my adult life. I was more of a moderate believer but didn't find an educational outlet where I lived with my then-husband. I could not believe such literal Biblical interpretations of laws and prophesies in Biblical texts. The students were worse than the profs and I don't doubt that some may have stormed the US capitol.

@NatashaMH @davidtoddmccarty @WarnerCrocker A wonderful piece. I'm glad I saw your post.

@jacklaridian Whoa, that's a little "different," lols.

Has my docuseries-on-cults-discussion-group seen this one? I'm missing a name.

https://youtu.be/-CCG5RXbtwc?si=-Wx67bcvwjSpTaNz

@KentuckyConjurer
@jacklaridian
@ElizabethLeeCo
@Goretta_Synn

No-fault divorce would be a travesty. A woman shouldn't have to "prove" anything to leave a marriage, because in proving, she would have to provide evidence. There are hidden reasons for leaving that cannot be proven, though physical abuse is sometimes provable. I was so depressed at the end of my own marriage I was frightened for my own mental health outcomes.

https://www.vox.com/today-explained-newsletter/354635/divorce-no-fault-states-marriage-republicans

@jacklaridian I love that series. I might have to watch it again sometime. One thing I loved most about it was the scenery of the California coast. But it is really well written, directed, and acted.

Watching Apples Never Fall on Peacock while I solve my own housing crisis lols. One needs diversion. I love Annette Benning. This is a good cast, actually. 💜

https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/asset/tv/apples-never-fall/7826413901743234112?orig_ref=https://www.google.com/

There's been some talk of #shunning out there, shunning others for believing this or that. I'm not convinced this really accomplishes anything. I remember someone important in my life shunning me for divorcing and this during my cancer treatment. It undercut my beliefs in what they believed. Shunning cuts off all possibility of future #dialogue. During the rough time of shunning, I watched this documentary, and felt I could relate. Things were never the same. #activism

https://youtu.be/zQ0uVZiHX8g?si=WxcXKHqYaaJX_Pgb

I published my first writer in A Dark Wood, though I have been publishing my own fiction, trying to set a pace and an example. (Outside of Medium, this would hardly be considered professional.) Gus Gresham submitted an original "Slavic folktale." Now if I could just clone Gus, my work would be complete. I love the variety of his writing, and he tends to offer something winsome and deep. #publishing #folktale #literature #journal #fictionwriting #storytelling #story

https://medium.com/a-dark-wood/the-stone-masons-daughter-413c342bdbbf

#AmWatching #LydiaLunch

PS Fox News would go crazy over LL

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/30/movies/lydia-lunch-the-war-is-never-over-review.html?unlocked_article_code=1.yU0.Uqes.eumpJ62BNEY3&smid=url-share

A fave Lydia Lunch quote: "Don't blame me for Courtney Love." 😂 Sorry not sorry if you're a Courtney Love fan. lols. Granted, Lydia Lunch is a lot to take in on a Sunday, but she is truly a unique individual with a lot to say. She is a light in a lot of ways--though she has had her darkness--and a leader. By fearlessly being herself, she empowers. If I don't find anything else to watch with my free Kino Lorber trial, I'm grateful. 🖤

https://boxd.it/oFD6

If you would like an editor, be in touch. I've noticed there are people who self-publish longer works, as well as short stories and memoir pieces. I am a gentle person who would want you to feel good about what I say. I can give big picture thoughts or last-minute touch ups before you publish. I have taken some editing coursework with the University of Washington and the University of Chicago. I have a BA in Literature and an MFA in Fiction. I am open to a low flat fee based on ability to pay.

I am receiving #submissions to my new dark fiction journal on Medium: A Dark Wood. I have turned away a few but enjoy finding writers who have talent and who are willing to work with picky ole me when it comes to their stories. 🖤 If you are a dark fiction writer and are a Medium member or would like to join, consider A Dark Wood. When you are accepted to become a writer for a journal, you may submit more than once to that journal. #publication #horror #writingcommunity
https://medium.com/a-dark-wood/a-dark-wood-welcome-8b6027bf32c1?sk=9fcb296135f0db970dcc88edd11e789b

I published a short story to my dark fiction journal this morning, a story that was originally published with Quail Bell, a Canadian journal. (I am providing the friend link, no paywall.) If you are interested in publishing a dark fiction story, be it a horror story, a tale of unease, a ghost story, an original folk or fairy tale, please keep A Dark Wood in mind as a possible venue. 🖤 💀 #darkfiction #ghoststory #shortstory #writingcommunity

https://medium.com/a-dark-wood/the-man-who-loved-a-grave-b6a77ddedb90?source=friends_link&sk=75820840ddc0953d7dd05ac3052a9652

Smoldering live blues rock cover of "I Put a Spell on You" by Samantha Fish. "Samantha Fish (born January 30, 1989) is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kansas City, Missouri. While often cited as a blues artist, Fish's work features and draws from multiple genres, including rock, country, funk, bluegrass, and ballads." Wikipedia #bluesrock #musicwomenwednesday

https://youtu.be/Ymsb_4Z3uy0?si=q9ID3ijxzucDBtxg

Birmingham Int'l Airport, Alabama

#SilentSunday

"In a narcissistic family system, you are as good as they think you are bad." This bit of wisdom is from Jerry Wise, a licensed mental health counselor. In other words, such a family system works against the differentiation of its members, but growing into one's individuality is a part of maturity. If you are becoming your own person, rather than conforming to the whole in an unhealthy and rigid sense, you will be considered "bad." And that is good! #narcissism #familysystems

La Llorona is a popular ghost story that is prominent on Día de los Muertos. Having drowned her own sons out of despair over an abusive, cheating husband, or neglecting them and so they drowned by accident, a woman named Maria, aka "La Llorona" --"the weeping woman"-- is forced to wander the Earth searching for her lost sons. La Llorona's siren-like wails are said to lure adults and children to their untimely deaths: “Mis hijos! Mis hijos! ¿Dónde están mis hijos?” (Britannica) #MythologyMonday

This is something we don't want to talk about: How do you mourn a parent who was abusive. One part of you feels sad, another part feels relieved, another part feels guilty you feel relieved. When people speak in unrealistic, glowing terms about the deceased--including the parent married to the abuser--you feel angry, then you feel guilty you're angry, then you feel like it could have been worse. And it's intolerable when there's a religious overlay. I'll stop. I just feel anxious.

#AmWatching Baby Reindeer

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13649112/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk