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Monday, January 1st, 2024
Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self preservation.
AUDRE LORDE
☀
I am grateful for…
1. Not being hungover. Okay…that’s a lie. Not being as hungover as I thought*
2. No work
3. This dick! I don’t know, TV?
Daily Affirmation
At least I’m still hot
☾
Highlights of the Day
1. A mean BECSPK from the bodega
2. Everything went downhill from there
3. I think I might be dying
What did I learn today?
Fucking nothing
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Take time to make yourself feel extra comfortable. Rest for an extra hour, book a massage, or eat an indulgent dessert.
☀
I am grateful for…
1. Water, which is totally just as delicious as beer
2. Another day on this delightful place called earth!
3. Still being able to eat despite the constant nausea
Daily Affirmation
You got this. You’re strong. It’s only been a day, don’t be a fucking pussy
☾
Highlights of the Day
1. There are no highlights. This journal is NOT RELATABLE
2. I can’t stop sweating
3. I think I’m gonna pass out
What did I learn today?
How could I learn anything while fucking dying? I don’t understand how a journal like this is supposed to turn tangible negatives into make believe positives
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024
Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.
ALICE MORSE EARLE
☀
I am grateful for…
1. Making it another day without drinking, I guess
2. Myself, for getting off work without any suspicions
3. Can I say myself again?
Daily Affirmation
The pain will go away soon. It can’t last forever, right?
☾
Highlights of the Day
1. Getting three spoonfuls of soup down
2. I almost relapsed but luckily fainted before I could reach the bottle
3. TV is my only solace
What did I learn today?
Is this what dying feels like?
Thursday, January 4th, 2024
The best and most beautiful things in the world can’t be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.
HELEN KELLER
☀
I am grateful for…
1. Evelyn. I thought she’d never speak to me again after I drowned her family’s christmas tree in puke
2. What little sleep I did get
3. Evelyn’s calming, cold hands cooling the furnace that is my forehead
Daily Affirmation
You have Evelyn now. She will save you
☾
Highlights of the Day
1. Evelyn apologized for breaking up with me. She said it was impulsive and foolish. How could she ever live without me?
2. She said I’ve never looked healthier
3. I think we might get back together
What did I learn today?
You are too great to stay gone forever. She will be yours
Friday, January 5th, 2024
Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.
DENIS WAITLEY
☀
I am grateful for…
1. Being strong enough to make the shaking stop
2. This beautiful cabin I’m in, though I don’t remember how I got here
3. The view from the window. I can’t wait until I’m healthy enough to hit those slopes
Daily Affirmation
You are a beautiful beacon in a world of darkness
☾
Highlights of the Day
1. I saw a wolf. He said he was gonna blow my cabin down but then he licked my face
2. I found some porridge in the kitchen. The temperature was just right
3. A white christmas
What did I learn today?
Heaven is a place on earth
Saturday, January 6th, 2024
Dreams are today’s answers to tomorrow’s questions.
EDGAR CAYCE
☀
I am grateful for…
1. Grateful?
2. What is this journal for?
3. Whose writing is this?
Daily Affirmation
What is an affirmation?
☾
Highlights of the Day
1. Highlights
2. Lowlights
3. Nightlights
What did I learn today?
Was this supposed to be a learning experience?
Thursday, January 11th, 2024
Very often change of self is needed more than a change of scene.
A.C. BENSON
☀
I am grateful for…
1. My landlord, whose notorious cheapness finally came in handy. If he hadn’t forced his way into my apartment to get his precious rent payment, I’d probably be dead
2. Uber for existing in the face of “friends” who refuse to answer the phone
3. Being back home. That hospital was fucking disgusting
Daily Affirmation
Everything can go back to normal now
☾
Highlights of the Day
1. For a moment I started to think Evelyn was really here and we were back together. It’s becoming evident that I was simply a delusional dumbass, looking for light in the face of death. It was a nice moment though, even if only pretend. I’m sure she’ll be back
2. I never thought I’d say this, but…cleaning my apt?! Shockingly, the shit did not hit the fan. It didn’t hit NOTHING but…I was relieved
3. Never has a burrito hit any harder than it has today, which is saying a lot because burritos fucking slap
What did I learn today?
Alcohol withdrawal is apparently a real thing?!
Friday, January 12th, 2024
The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
☀
I am grateful for…
1. Not getting fired for my unexplained absence
2. Being an upper-class white guy in New York
3. The health care system somehow?!
Daily Affirmation
You are hot, you are strong, and 2024 is gonna be the best year yet. You don’t need anyone other than your sexy ass self
☾
Highlights of the Day
1. A more mature person would say deleting those photos of Evelyn, but I already regret it not gonna lie. Well, I still got the nudes
2. Beating it
3. The first beer of the new year. Those friends weren’t real and neither was that stupid challenge they imposed on me. Fuck being dry
What did I learn today?
This journal is a waste of time
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Hello Dylan,
"The Man, the Myth, and the Legend" is well written. It employs the journal format to convey the protagonist's journey through a challenging life.
The protagonist's evolution is evident as the story progresses through the entries. The initial struggles with hangovers and self-destructive behavior gradually give way to moments of self-reflection and a desire for positive change.
The story explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the impact of addiction. The protagonist's journey from denial and despair to a glimmer of hope and self-acceptance is very well portrayed through the journal entries.
I can only offer a challenge in one area, starting with a simple question: What is your purpose for writing? If it is simply to entertain, then fine. This story serves that purpose. But could there be something more that can elevate fiction beyond being an exercise in technical skill?
I hope you don't take offense, but there was one problem with your story for me, at least. I did not care about what would happen to your MC. I was a spectator to this man's life.
I wonder if this matters to you. I just wanted to let you know that I offer it only as an observation.
Reply
Thanks for reading, Joe! No offense taken, all feedback is helpful!
My thought is: did you not care for the MC because you did not like him? Because if so, totally understandable as the MC was not intended to be likeable. At its heart, it's mainly a comedy about a self-absorbed asshole stuck in a spiral of self-destruction (the title and, arguably, all the quotes, are meant to be ironic--this man is not a legend, though he thinks he is). So, I suppose in that way its main intent is to entertain as you said. And one of my main goals when writing, similarly to my main hope when reading, is to make the reader feel something. If you didn't then this story wasn't effective for you and that is good to know! Perhaps there is a way this could have touched you better. Something to consider!
I welcome all feedback, though, and thank you for this feedback. Very helpful! Please don't be afraid to tell me something because it may sound "harsh" or whatever. Often times, that's the most helpful feedback. Because it's honest. I only want honest opinions, good or bad. If you have more thoughts you'd like to share, I'd be happy to hear them :)
Reply
Hi again,
Yes it is certainly possible to just not like an MC. I know for certain that I would not choose to be around this person if I had a choice.
That said, to really know if there is something more you could add to your writing would require at least one or hopefully two other people to offer their opinions.
I think the general rule is that the reader needs to see something of themselves in the character.
For instance, Thanos despite being an evil character has some good in him, something to respect, even though wiping out half the universe's population was unquestioningly evil. He wasn't malicious, he was convinced he was doing the right thing.
Anyway, a short story is a really lousy place to try to write about an unlikeable MC. And to try to do it in diary form, I think it is even harder. You never see the character reflected through the thoughts and actions of supporting characters.
This got super long
Reply
Hi Dylan! shockingly, you're in my critique circle this week too xD
this is very good, I really enjoyed how you've created a pre-filled journal for this guy to fill in as he goes, which I think is a great idea and kinda wish I had thought of that.
love this guys voice, I can really hear this self absorbed, malicious guy talking to me here. and even though I didn't particularly appreciate him as a person I was still sad to see him fail to become his better self. which is always impressive when a short story can rope me into emotions about a character.
Reply
Thanks for reading, Teddy! I'm starting to think the "circle" was meant to be taken literally lol. I thought it was just an alliteration thing and all pairings were random. Does seem that we're just in little random groups instead.
Glad to hear you read it that way and it was effective! I very much intended him to be unlikeable so I'm glad you caught on to how self-absorbed and self-destructive he is.
Thanks again for the feedback! Always helpful :)
Reply