Melissa

Changed my handle because I'm not quite sure at the moment who I am.
xx

Ah!! What an honor to be nominated! <3 thank you so much

Got a job offer today, which means I won't have to sell my house slash lose everything. Small victories!

I can see how it would be convenient! Definitely lighter than my laptop. But I am not made for small, convenient things, I think 😅 I need five drafts of the same opening paragraph covering each other across all my screens, and a wide, heavy keyboard to stretch my fingers.

Those of y'all that write on small tablets (or even smaller phones?!) are either crazy or amazing. Craymazing. I miss my dual screens and laptop, but I'm determined not to DNF this contest.

The panic that this is somehow mine because there are times my brain goes skkkkrt 😅😂

Omg! Can't believe it! 🤍

Gotta say, depression is a vicious little hamster wheel. It takes a break, makes you think maybe things are okay, or going to be, and then all of a sudden it starts its creaky stupid run again and won't shut up. Sigh.

Let's win this! 🙌

A banner that says "Not Quite Write" and a 'Submitted!' sticker under it. An image of a gold coin that says "TEAM AMANDA" and an outline of a sheriff's star badge, since her team's kicker was 'law.'

That's me submitted! My thanks to the anonymous benefactor who allowed me enter NQW since I still don't have a job. Quite like my story, so here's hoping🤞
Go Team Amanda! (With my respects to Ed, I also wrote him a story but it was too big for 500 words)
Time to wait impatiently for the vague posts!

And the first rejection of the year is already in the books! What a time to be alive.

*Shania twain voice*
Let's go, girls

In the last week I've written a new drabble and sent out 5 submissions. Small accomplishments overall, but considering I was so depressed and blank at the end of last year I didn't know if I'd do anything at all this year, I'm actually quite proud. Little sparks of creativity are coming back!

Procrastinated cleaning inside my house by shoveling 5 driveways in the neighborhood, and now the sun is organically melting everything. I can't decide if this is a win or not. At least it got me outside and moving a bit? Now off to vacuum and figure out this writing test for a possible job...

"We spend a lifetime looking for the stairs that go nowhere, but hope they actually go everywhere."

A beautiful piece by a talented writer and wonderful human being.

I have some specific and lengthy resolutions for next year, but what they really boil down to is creating just to create (and try new mediums!), and being nicer to myself (physically and mentally). Happy New Year and see y'all in 2026 💜 be kind, be safe

babe are you ok you’ve barely touched last year’s resolutions & now you’re making more ambitious new ones

Cover of Twist Magazine volume 2. It's titled "Twisted Tournament" with Cherryhoof, a pink unicorn mascot, wearing a blue boxing outfit.

This came out a few days ago, but the second issue of Twist Magazine dropped with a ton of wonderful stories, including my second-place 500 story. It's great to be among such talented company. Download the issue here:
aiwl.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/TWIST+MAGAZI...

"She didn’t know why, beyond the fact that she felt sad and alone in the body-breaking kind of way, where it was all too big to fit, and the next moment was impossible and inevitable and deeply, deeply dangerous."

Read the rest of @lyss-b.bsky.social's story here:

Screenshot of five story and author names that have been nominated by Paranoid Tree Press for the Pushcart prize. The fourth story says "The Culling of the Forest, in Three Parts" with the author name "Melissa Jornd." There is an arrow pointing to the story name to clarify which one is mine.

My first Pushcart nomination! I am beyond grateful and honored. Thank you so much @paranoidxtree.bsky.social for loving my story as much as I did 💚

Alas, no placement for me BUT this vague tweet was my story and that's honestly just as exciting 😊

You're on fire this week and it's not surprising. Congrats!

One of my favorite stories by one of my favorite people. So happy Loxley found its home ❤🦇 @beingcam.bsky.social

Final Twist score under my username Emorra. Cumulative total was 25.65. First round score was 9.64; second round score was 7.75; third round score was 8.26 This competition was close! First place in my group was only 3 points ahead and every person on the leaderboard was right there.

Final Twist results, came in 22nd overall. My main goal was not to DNF any rounds so I'm pleased. My scores were higher than I expected and I'm very grateful for the 4 extremely thoughtful feedbacks in my 250, which needed more words. Enjoyed this comp-- hope I find a job soon so I can play again!

Leaderboard screenshot of Group 2 in the Twisted Teams contest. Emorra (me) is listed second, with a score of 9.64.

A roundup of all story awards I received from the peer judges. It includes one (1) Best Title, three (3) Best Prose, one (1) Most Original Take, and one (1) Best Opening Line.

Couple contest results are trickling in. Surprised and pleased that I placed 2nd in the first round of Twist (500 words)! Tbh this was my strongest story by far and I don't expect to keep this pace, but I'm still quite happy my story was well-received. Planning to expand and submit this one out 🤞🏻

MORE patience?! Ahhhh, if I must ⏳️🤸‍♀️ I'll do some cartwheels while I wait

Also still dying of curiosity if one of the vague posts was mine 😭😭 those were tantalizing af

Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction, October 2025 Longlist award image. "How Do You Feel Today?" by Melissa Jornd

Still on a break, but got some exciting news for my first time entering @notquitewrite.com! Thanks babes, this podcast is so fun ❤️

going on a little break. take care of yourselves <3

Thank you so much for being its home, I could not be happier 💗