Category Archives: Writing

Cancer Horoscope November 12, 2021

A Horoscope. A Muse. A Tiny Love Story.

I read my horoscope nearly every day. Sometimes, I run with its forecast. Other times, I ignore every word. And on occasion, I embrace the parts I like and disregard the rest.

Eleven days ago, my horoscope’s opening line, “You’re in touch with your muse today, which is why this is a productive day for those of you who work in the arts or creative projects,” nudged me to revisit my writing from the previous year.

An inspirational horoscope led to publication in The New York Times.
November 12, 2021

I focused on a 100-word story I had written about my mom and me for The New York Times Tiny Love Stories. After submitting the piece last November, I envisioned seeing it and an accompanying photo online and perhaps in print.

I did not.

Rereading my story, I resolved to try again. I scoured other Tiny Love Stories, certain their words were my muse. Then I plunged in, narrowing my story to a single moment.

Four days after that prophetic horoscope, I received an email from NYT editor Miya Lee. One week later, my amended Tiny Love Story was published online in The New York Times.

Oh. My. Heart.