I'm so delighted that I have the headspace to continue my podcast.
Now that my Kickstarter is done (phew!), I can return to my normal cadence of writing. I finally picked up this short story again, and it's going in a different direction. I find this delightful. (My nonfiction gets sharper when it goes in a different direction, so that's fun, too.
I'm experimenting with where to put the video in these posts. That's why it's at the top.
The Podcast:
The Transcript:
This is 60 Seconds of Writing in Public with Johanna Rothman for January 30, 2026, where I read an excerpt of just a minute of some writing in progress.
This is more of that carnival short story.
At five in the evening, the Carnival had just opened. As the throng of people streamed in, Sofia felt the jostling and warmth and the loudness of being so close to others. Was the entire population of New Bedford here? It certainly sounded like that. She heard English, a little French, a lot of Portuguese. But the special language was that New Bedford-specific mixture of Portuguese and English in the same sentence.
This is a beautifully crafted short story that demonstrates thoughtful pacing, vivid imagery, and a strong narrative voice. The atmosphere is engaging, and the subtle layers of meaning invite readers to reflect beyond the surface of the story. I especially appreciate the careful attention to detail and the way the piece balances creativity with emotional depth. Thank you for sharing such a compelling and well-written work that leaves a lasting impression.
Thank you.