Essay Archives - Jessica Conoley

THE PARTS I DON’T TALK ABOUT

October 18, 2021October 13, 2021

In this series apprentice, Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. I chose this essay because: Dude this essay is so real. I felt this essay so deeply, especially about feeling like a fraud. Imposter syndrome sucks! But we will continue to fight through it. Initial publication date: 02/02/2016 The Parts I Don’t Talk About Living the life I’ve dreamed of is …

Evolution of a Story

July 20, 2021September 15, 2021

In this series apprentice, Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. I chose this essay because: Dude this essay is everything! It is a first-hand experience of someone discovering who they are and becoming that person. It’s like watching a flower bloom for the first time. Love! Initial publication date: 1/19/2016 Evolution of a Story In the beginning there was a New …

My Birthday Month

July 20, 2021September 1, 2021

In this series apprentice, Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. I chose this essay because: It’s so important to paint your own life. There will be people telling you what colors to use and what brushes to paint with, but use the colors you want to use. This essay is like watching Bob Ross paint- so soothing. Initial publication date: 11/24/2015 …

My Retirement

July 20, 2021August 18, 2021

In this series apprentice, Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. I chose this essay because: I don’t even know where to start with this essay. As a person who recently left a job they hated this essay screams at me. It makes me feel seen and validated in so many ways. Initial publication date: 11/10/2015 My Retirement When you retire at …

The Voice at the Back of My Neck

July 20, 2021August 4, 2021

In this series apprentice, Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. I chose this essay because: Life has a lot of “What Ifs” and this essay talks about how scary they can be, but it also talks about fear. Sometimes playing it safe isn’t the right answer. A lot of times doing what we fear the most is the answer. But that …

The Last Question I Expected to Hear

July 20, 2021July 20, 2021

In this series apprentice, Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. I chose this essay because: Why do writers write? This question hit me in my gut and this essay makes me think about the reason I write. Sometimes there’s more than more answer and I’m figuring out mine with each word I write. Initial publication date: 9/15/2015 The Last Question I …

SUPER SECRET LIBRARY DAY PART 2

June 26, 2021June 24, 2021

In this series apprentice Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. I chose this essay because: OUCH! This essays shows that as much as someone loves writing it can hurt, especially when it comes to killing your darlings. I love happily ever afters, but times sometimes but not everything has a happy ending and that’s life. Initial publication date: 8/18/2015 Super Secret …

Super Secret Library Day part I

June 7, 2021June 4, 2021

In this series apprentice Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. Imari chose this essay because: “This essay is motivational in so many ways. Nothing like meeting the people you admire.” Initial publication Date: 7/21/2015 Super Secret Library Day-Part 1 You may remember My Great Escape a few weeks ago that ended at a super secret library event. At that event the …

Your Final Responsibility to Your Story: Creative Stewardship

May 20, 2021May 23, 2021

Last week, Jane Friedman published my latest non-fiction article “Your Final Responsibility to Your Story: Creative Stewardship.” As writers, it can feel daunting, vulnerable, and impossible when we contemplate sending our own stories out into the world. So when end stage paralysis strikes you, it’s time to step away from your identity as writer, and into your role as creative steward. Creative stewardship fulfills our final responsibility to a story— placing it in the best position to connect with readers. …

THE GREAT ESCAPE

May 10, 2021April 20, 2021

In this series apprentice Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives. Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. Imari chose this essay because: “It’s so authentic and inspirational. It shows step by step how one’s dream can become reality.” Initial publication Date: July 7, 2015 The Great Escape 4/20/15-email from agent after reading my whole The Color Eater manuscript. I’m super excited because I know an email like this means …