Monday Morning Required Reading. I'm not a creative writing student, nor have I ever been, but there is something about this story that resonates with me. So, here it is, Lorrie Moore's "How to Become a Writer":

First, try to be something, anything, else. A movie star/astronaut. A movie star/missionary. A movie star/kindergarten teacher. President of the world.

Fail miserably... [KEEP READING] 

[Credit where credit is due: Although I had read this years ago, I am indebted to Elizabeth for my most recent encounter with it. I am also indebted to her for the idea of weekly readings. I love her Sunday readings, because they introduce me to beautiful stories I haven't read before, and re-introduce me to pieces I had forgotten about. I have adopted this idea both so that I can hopefully bring the same kind of delight to your weeks as she brings to mine, and so that I have a valid excuse for wandering through new stories and poems even when I don't really have the time.]