Marjie Alonso
@marjiealonso.com
Writer. Former executive director of animal behavior nonprofits. Currently working to help friends with big projects. Manager of family. Regularly bested by my beagle. MarjieAlonso.com
https://open.substack.com/pub/piecesofstring
https://open.substack.com/pub/piecesofstring
She said “Andy, you’re better than your past”
In written or song form... this speaks to a lifetime, a relationship, a bittersweet acceptance, a forgiveness, and so much more.
#writing #writingcommunity #jasonisbell #music
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/seeking-mu...
In written or song form... this speaks to a lifetime, a relationship, a bittersweet acceptance, a forgiveness, and so much more.
#writing #writingcommunity #jasonisbell #music
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/seeking-mu...
Seeking Musical Journals
There was a time when I was a songwriter.
piecesofstring.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
She said “Andy, you’re better than your past”
In written or song form... this speaks to a lifetime, a relationship, a bittersweet acceptance, a forgiveness, and so much more.
#writing #writingcommunity #jasonisbell #music
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/seeking-mu...
In written or song form... this speaks to a lifetime, a relationship, a bittersweet acceptance, a forgiveness, and so much more.
#writing #writingcommunity #jasonisbell #music
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/seeking-mu...
October 30, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Maybe Springsteen and “Tougher Than the Rest” are rising again because his weary testament to possibilities speaks for a lot of Americans at the moment.
#springsteen @cogwbur.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
#springsteen @cogwbur.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
October 26, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Maybe Springsteen and “Tougher Than the Rest” are rising again because his weary testament to possibilities speaks for a lot of Americans at the moment.
#springsteen @cogwbur.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
#springsteen @cogwbur.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
October 1, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The title decides if an editor will even open your email.
Look, Taylor, we like the piece, but we’ve re-titled it, “Leaving My Red Scarf Behind: How dating an older man ruined my self-esteem.” “All Too Well” just doesn’t say anything.
#writingcommunity #writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Look, Taylor, we like the piece, but we’ve re-titled it, “Leaving My Red Scarf Behind: How dating an older man ruined my self-esteem.” “All Too Well” just doesn’t say anything.
#writingcommunity #writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
A Writer's Guide to Getting Published: Gordian Knot Edition
I’ve said it before, even yesterday to a struggling friend, and I’ll say it again: The easiest part of writing a book is writing a book.
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The title decides if an editor will even open your email.
Look, Taylor, we like the piece, but we’ve re-titled it, “Leaving My Red Scarf Behind: How dating an older man ruined my self-esteem.” “All Too Well” just doesn’t say anything.
#writingcommunity #writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Look, Taylor, we like the piece, but we’ve re-titled it, “Leaving My Red Scarf Behind: How dating an older man ruined my self-esteem.” “All Too Well” just doesn’t say anything.
#writingcommunity #writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Your grandfather will chase the protesting cook away when you waste five eggs by breaking the yolks. Then seven, eight, eleven.
He will celebrate your two perfect eggs ... the best he’s ever had, he tells you
brevitymag.com/current-issu...
@dintywmoore.bsky.social @writingcommunity.bsky.social
He will celebrate your two perfect eggs ... the best he’s ever had, he tells you
brevitymag.com/current-issu...
@dintywmoore.bsky.social @writingcommunity.bsky.social
September 15, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Your grandfather will chase the protesting cook away when you waste five eggs by breaking the yolks. Then seven, eight, eleven.
He will celebrate your two perfect eggs ... the best he’s ever had, he tells you
brevitymag.com/current-issu...
@dintywmoore.bsky.social @writingcommunity.bsky.social
He will celebrate your two perfect eggs ... the best he’s ever had, he tells you
brevitymag.com/current-issu...
@dintywmoore.bsky.social @writingcommunity.bsky.social
So anyway, about those Epstein files...
September 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM
So anyway, about those Epstein files...
She might eat the Kleenex. Or the jelly beans. Or both. Mostly just checking to see if I’ve noticed.
#writingcommunity #writers #dogs
#writingcommunity #writers #dogs
August 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
She might eat the Kleenex. Or the jelly beans. Or both. Mostly just checking to see if I’ve noticed.
#writingcommunity #writers #dogs
#writingcommunity #writers #dogs
July 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Will not move to the shade. Does this so that people passing by will accuse me of animal abuse. Opens one eye after they say “poor thing” and looks at me.
#writingcommunity #dogs
#writingcommunity #dogs
July 26, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Will not move to the shade. Does this so that people passing by will accuse me of animal abuse. Opens one eye after they say “poor thing” and looks at me.
#writingcommunity #dogs
#writingcommunity #dogs
July 11, 2025 at 9:50 PM
How the hell is it already the end of June?
And I haven't sent out any queries yet...
Is it possible to be allergic to querying?
#dogs #writingcommunity #writing
And I haven't sent out any queries yet...
Is it possible to be allergic to querying?
#dogs #writingcommunity #writing
June 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
How the hell is it already the end of June?
And I haven't sent out any queries yet...
Is it possible to be allergic to querying?
#dogs #writingcommunity #writing
And I haven't sent out any queries yet...
Is it possible to be allergic to querying?
#dogs #writingcommunity #writing
June 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM
But right now, in this moment, my slutty arms and I are donning white shirts, bringing out the jewelry every day, and feeling like yes, I can do this one more time before I die. I do have permission to feel this kind of free.
#writingcommunity #writing
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/falling-ba...
#writingcommunity #writing
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/falling-ba...
Falling Back Softly
And Green Tea with Apricot and Vanilla
piecesofstring.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
But right now, in this moment, my slutty arms and I are donning white shirts, bringing out the jewelry every day, and feeling like yes, I can do this one more time before I die. I do have permission to feel this kind of free.
#writingcommunity #writing
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/falling-ba...
#writingcommunity #writing
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/falling-ba...
...A nor’easter hit, with fifty-five mile per hour winds and driving rain...when I looked outside that first night, anxious that she was somehow not OK, she was standing strong, enthusiastically howling into the gale.
#writingcommunity #writers #dogs
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writingcommunity #writers #dogs
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Someone Returned
In 2023 I stood outside what was clearly a terrible piece of property on Commercial Street in Provincetown, Cape Cod.
open.substack.com
June 7, 2025 at 6:13 PM
...A nor’easter hit, with fifty-five mile per hour winds and driving rain...when I looked outside that first night, anxious that she was somehow not OK, she was standing strong, enthusiastically howling into the gale.
#writingcommunity #writers #dogs
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writingcommunity #writers #dogs
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
In the early morning I saw a mother fox on her hind legs, sniffing the statue. “What fresh hell is this,” I could almost hear, “All the tourists with their Frenchies aren’t bad enough?
#writingcommunity #writers #writing
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writingcommunity #writers #writing
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Someone Returned
In 2023 I stood outside what was clearly a terrible piece of property on Commercial Street in Provincetown, Cape Cod.
open.substack.com
May 27, 2025 at 11:46 AM
In the early morning I saw a mother fox on her hind legs, sniffing the statue. “What fresh hell is this,” I could almost hear, “All the tourists with their Frenchies aren’t bad enough?
#writingcommunity #writers #writing
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writingcommunity #writers #writing
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
One of the things that’s kept me from writing more in my life was the feeling that it was self-indulgent. My inability to stay away from it, or to simply do it and keep it to myself, was proof of my narcissism.
#writing #writingcommunity #authors
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writing #writingcommunity #authors
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Holly's Holy Rollers
Yesterday I received back the last of the Big Three developmental edits of my book.
open.substack.com
May 13, 2025 at 9:19 PM
One of the things that’s kept me from writing more in my life was the feeling that it was self-indulgent. My inability to stay away from it, or to simply do it and keep it to myself, was proof of my narcissism.
#writing #writingcommunity #authors
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writing #writingcommunity #authors
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
We’d been talking with my father, going over the plan for spring-loading the one arm of his he does not want cremated when he dies. That one arm he wants rigged to burst up out of the ground when people approach his grave.
#writing #writingcommunity #substack
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writing #writingcommunity #substack
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
You Are Here
Since I haven’t been able to do much else with these non-working, post-surgical arms, I took my daughter-in-law, Kalyn, to find a place to bury me last week.
open.substack.com
May 6, 2025 at 2:22 PM
We’d been talking with my father, going over the plan for spring-loading the one arm of his he does not want cremated when he dies. That one arm he wants rigged to burst up out of the ground when people approach his grave.
#writing #writingcommunity #substack
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writing #writingcommunity #substack
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
The paradox of heavy drugs. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t, give me ten more.
All I’m saying is, we didn’t have all these problems with cocaine and vodka.
Do better, Big Pharma.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
All I’m saying is, we didn’t have all these problems with cocaine and vodka.
Do better, Big Pharma.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Paradoxy
Yesterday I was sent to bed at 3:30 in the afternoon.
open.substack.com
April 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The paradox of heavy drugs. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t, give me ten more.
All I’m saying is, we didn’t have all these problems with cocaine and vodka.
Do better, Big Pharma.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
All I’m saying is, we didn’t have all these problems with cocaine and vodka.
Do better, Big Pharma.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
April 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
D. H, Lawrence liked to climb Mulberry trees nude to stimulate his imagination.
It stimulated more than that.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/platform
It stimulated more than that.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/platform
Platform
I need some
piecesofstring.substack.com
April 15, 2025 at 11:59 AM
D. H, Lawrence liked to climb Mulberry trees nude to stimulate his imagination.
It stimulated more than that.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/platform
It stimulated more than that.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/platform
April 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
“I don’t believe in ghosts, but I see them all the time.” ~ Sherman Alexie
#writing #writers #authors #shermanalexie
#writing #writers #authors #shermanalexie
April 13, 2025 at 1:18 PM
“I don’t believe in ghosts, but I see them all the time.” ~ Sherman Alexie
#writing #writers #authors #shermanalexie
#writing #writers #authors #shermanalexie
Nearly 2% of the US population took part in the protests. It was meaningful. But it was not a threat to anyone in charge.
We know this, because no police presence was detailed. No riot gear, riot gates, horseback-led tear gas squads.
#writing #writers
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/when-youre...
We know this, because no police presence was detailed. No riot gear, riot gates, horseback-led tear gas squads.
#writing #writers
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/when-youre...
When You're Quoting Hubert Humphrey
On April 5th some number of protestors — 5+ million, but an unknown quantity— took part in the Hands Off Day of Action in the United States.
piecesofstring.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Nearly 2% of the US population took part in the protests. It was meaningful. But it was not a threat to anyone in charge.
We know this, because no police presence was detailed. No riot gear, riot gates, horseback-led tear gas squads.
#writing #writers
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/when-youre...
We know this, because no police presence was detailed. No riot gear, riot gates, horseback-led tear gas squads.
#writing #writers
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/when-youre...