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
50-Word Stories
I’ve been loving the practice of writing “short,” in micro pieces, flash and all that, so this hit just right.
Last night the editor wrote back and informed me that it was going to be published today.
#flash #writing #dogs
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/fifty-word...
I’ve been loving the practice of writing “short,” in micro pieces, flash and all that, so this hit just right.
Last night the editor wrote back and informed me that it was going to be published today.
#flash #writing #dogs
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/fifty-word...
Fifty-Word Stories
I’m in my last in-person class of the season, this time with Nick Flynn. He’s a well-known, generative writer with a Substack called “Notes on Bewilderment,” and a slew of autobiographies.
piecesofstring.substack.com
August 17, 2026 at 6:08 PM
50-Word Stories
I’ve been loving the practice of writing “short,” in micro pieces, flash and all that, so this hit just right.
Last night the editor wrote back and informed me that it was going to be published today.
#flash #writing #dogs
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/fifty-word...
I’ve been loving the practice of writing “short,” in micro pieces, flash and all that, so this hit just right.
Last night the editor wrote back and informed me that it was going to be published today.
#flash #writing #dogs
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/fifty-word...
“That’s what they said about Eva Braun,” I replied.
And that was the moment in time where I surprised David Sedaris. And made him laugh.
#writing #writingcommunity #davidsedaris
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/nobodys-pe...
And that was the moment in time where I surprised David Sedaris. And made him laugh.
#writing #writingcommunity #davidsedaris
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/nobodys-pe...
Nobody's Perfect
Last night I went with a few friend to hear David Sedaris read at Town Hall.
piecesofstring.substack.com
August 6, 2026 at 6:18 PM
“That’s what they said about Eva Braun,” I replied.
And that was the moment in time where I surprised David Sedaris. And made him laugh.
#writing #writingcommunity #davidsedaris
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/nobodys-pe...
And that was the moment in time where I surprised David Sedaris. And made him laugh.
#writing #writingcommunity #davidsedaris
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/nobodys-pe...
“Oh!” said a woman fingering the pride scarf around the statue's neck, “Was he gay? Not that there’s anything wrong with that."
#writing #books #writingcommunity #dogs
Not That There's Anything Wrong With That
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writing #books #writingcommunity #dogs
Not That There's Anything Wrong With That
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Not That There's Anything Wrong With That
If you really want to study people, put a statue on your wall.
open.substack.com
June 30, 2026 at 10:47 PM
“Oh!” said a woman fingering the pride scarf around the statue's neck, “Was he gay? Not that there’s anything wrong with that."
#writing #books #writingcommunity #dogs
Not That There's Anything Wrong With That
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writing #books #writingcommunity #dogs
Not That There's Anything Wrong With That
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
...Not the “somebody died” kind of news, but the kind of news that brings physical separation from people you love, and leaves you with even fewer in the circle of those who show up for you when the chips are down...
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/a-piece-of...
#writing #writingcommunity
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/a-piece-of...
#writing #writingcommunity
June 12, 2026 at 1:05 PM
...Not the “somebody died” kind of news, but the kind of news that brings physical separation from people you love, and leaves you with even fewer in the circle of those who show up for you when the chips are down...
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/a-piece-of...
#writing #writingcommunity
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/a-piece-of...
#writing #writingcommunity
I have few natural talents, but among my strongest is the ability to sign up for multiple courses at once without knowing I’ve done it.
#writingcommunity #writing
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/my-month-o...
#writingcommunity #writing
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/my-month-o...
My Month of Micro
I have few natural talents, but among my strongest is the ability to sign up for multiple things at once without knowing I’ve done it.
piecesofstring.substack.com
May 26, 2026 at 10:30 PM
I have few natural talents, but among my strongest is the ability to sign up for multiple courses at once without knowing I’ve done it.
#writingcommunity #writing
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/my-month-o...
#writingcommunity #writing
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/my-month-o...
Apropos of my last Substack, here's Alice at the beach. It's all about the ears.
#dogs #writing
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#dogs #writing
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
April 29, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Apropos of my last Substack, here's Alice at the beach. It's all about the ears.
#dogs #writing
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#dogs #writing
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Alice has a man’s engineer brain: slow, but methodical, starting at the beginning and walking step-by-step to the conclusion, no matter how obvious to the rest of us from the start.
#writing #dogs #writingcommunity
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/if-not-dog...
#writing #dogs #writingcommunity
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/if-not-dog...
April 28, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Alice has a man’s engineer brain: slow, but methodical, starting at the beginning and walking step-by-step to the conclusion, no matter how obvious to the rest of us from the start.
#writing #dogs #writingcommunity
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/if-not-dog...
#writing #dogs #writingcommunity
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/if-not-dog...
April 7, 2026 at 7:54 PM
It’s a book of short stories, something I’ve never written before, linked only by their location—a small town by the sea—and the fact that the local building inspector dies in each story.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers #books
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/back-at-th...
#writingcommunity #writing #writers #books
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/back-at-th...
Back At The Beach
Well, it sort of worked.
piecesofstring.substack.com
March 31, 2026 at 11:27 AM
It’s a book of short stories, something I’ve never written before, linked only by their location—a small town by the sea—and the fact that the local building inspector dies in each story.
#writingcommunity #writing #writers #books
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/back-at-th...
#writingcommunity #writing #writers #books
piecesofstring.substack.com/p/back-at-th...
Reposted by Marjie Alonso
Jesus.
Kuwait air defences mistakenly shot down three US F15 fighter jets flying in Iran-related operations, the US Central Command (Centcom) said.
All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered & are in stable condition.
Plus more updates:
All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered & are in stable condition.
Plus more updates:
Middle East crisis live: Kuwait mistakenly shoots down three US fighter planes, as US says Iran’s ‘reckless’ attacks threaten regional stability
Israeli military says fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah could take ‘many’ more days; US crew bailed out safely after crash-landing, says Kuwait
www.theguardian.com
March 2, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Jesus.
For the last four, maybe five weeks, I’ve been buffering, unable to work on anything. Unable to do anything, really, but vegetate. It’s a weird, disconcerting feeling. But also, why?
#writing #writingcommunity
#writing #writingcommunity
March 2, 2026 at 12:19 PM
For the last four, maybe five weeks, I’ve been buffering, unable to work on anything. Unable to do anything, really, but vegetate. It’s a weird, disconcerting feeling. But also, why?
#writing #writingcommunity
#writing #writingcommunity
This is the only house I’ve lived in without the ghosts that cradle and insulate, rustle in the beams and boards, and act as flying buttresses, arching up and into the place, holding it steady as it collects more memories, more people, and more stories.
#writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
John
And the comfort of living with ghosts
open.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:01 PM
This is the only house I’ve lived in without the ghosts that cradle and insulate, rustle in the beams and boards, and act as flying buttresses, arching up and into the place, holding it steady as it collects more memories, more people, and more stories.
#writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writers
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
@massgovernor.bsky.social California just joined the World Health Organization through their response network. You’re being weak on ICE. Will you be strong on our health?
#leadership #democrats
#leadership #democrats
January 24, 2026 at 3:53 PM
@massgovernor.bsky.social California just joined the World Health Organization through their response network. You’re being weak on ICE. Will you be strong on our health?
#leadership #democrats
#leadership #democrats
Let this be a lesson to all you younger writers out there: Create as much chaos as you can, and take notes. You might need it for the material.
#writing #writingcommunity
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writing #writingcommunity
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Pitch Day
Last Thursday I met with my lovely agent Natasha via zoom in order to get ready for today, January 20th.
open.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Let this be a lesson to all you younger writers out there: Create as much chaos as you can, and take notes. You might need it for the material.
#writing #writingcommunity
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writing #writingcommunity
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
January 12, 2026 at 2:42 PM
The hideous, semi-hairless creature I’d agreed to foster was a nightmare. There was no way I was keeping this thing, which was perfect.
I put her in the car.
#huffpost #writing #writingcommunity #dogs
www.huffpost.com/entry/empty-...
I put her in the car.
#huffpost #writing #writingcommunity #dogs
www.huffpost.com/entry/empty-...
I Agreed To Foster A Nightmare Dog. I Had No Idea She'd Change My Life In Unbelievable Ways.
"I noticed I was laughing again. I reached for her next to me when I worked. I was sleeping better. I was telling stories again."
www.huffpost.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The hideous, semi-hairless creature I’d agreed to foster was a nightmare. There was no way I was keeping this thing, which was perfect.
I put her in the car.
#huffpost #writing #writingcommunity #dogs
www.huffpost.com/entry/empty-...
I put her in the car.
#huffpost #writing #writingcommunity #dogs
www.huffpost.com/entry/empty-...
Happy mid-December! Everything is terrible and nothing is OK.
The mojo is bad right now; it’s heavy and it’s looming, waiting to finish suffocating anything below when its miasma rolls in.
#writing #writers #depression #winter
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
The mojo is bad right now; it’s heavy and it’s looming, waiting to finish suffocating anything below when its miasma rolls in.
#writing #writers #depression #winter
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
It's Coming On Christmas
Happy mid-December!
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Happy mid-December! Everything is terrible and nothing is OK.
The mojo is bad right now; it’s heavy and it’s looming, waiting to finish suffocating anything below when its miasma rolls in.
#writing #writers #depression #winter
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
The mojo is bad right now; it’s heavy and it’s looming, waiting to finish suffocating anything below when its miasma rolls in.
#writing #writers #depression #winter
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
“You’re not really leaving” is not true. The house will remain, but my cradle will not. The safety will not. And each drawer that I empty feels like a knife sliding slickly between my ribs and into my core.
#writingcommunity #writing #home #dogs
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writingcommunity #writing #home #dogs
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
Leaving Home
At some point it became clear to me that I couldn’t manage my giant city house.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 AM
“You’re not really leaving” is not true. The house will remain, but my cradle will not. The safety will not. And each drawer that I empty feels like a knife sliding slickly between my ribs and into my core.
#writingcommunity #writing #home #dogs
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
#writingcommunity #writing #home #dogs
open.substack.com/pub/piecesof...
November 18, 2025 at 12:43 AM
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