Writers Unite

So take that, AI!

I’ve been struggling with terrifyingly intrusive AI-related thoughts. Seriously doubt I’m alone.

Here are a smattering for your enjoyment:

What is the point of being a writer? Won’t AI make writing obsolete? Why am I wasting my time? Couldn’t someone just put any writing sample into AI and say: Write something like this about something new and different? And then what?

It got so bad that I had a very meta back and forth with ChatGPT the other day. I deleted the photo evidence, so you’ll have to take my word for it.

But then, I tucked those thoughts away. I placed them in a locked drawer and attended two events for writers, throwing myself into rooms filled with others who are ready to ignore all of those scary questions and pretend like we’re all just fine and dandy.

On Thursday, I attended a very non-threatening, non-fiction writer’s night at an adorable neighborhood dive bar. It was super fun and chill, and I loved connecting with other adults in real life, mostly moms, all balancing projects and other worldly and wordy (hehe) demands.

And on Friday, I attended the Peter Lisagor Awards. One of my columns was nominated for Best Small Print Commentary. So that was a very unexpected honor.

I attended the ceremony this year with my husband and two loyal, ride-or-die friends. I love going to the Lisagors, because you get all the warm and fuzzies sitting in a room filled with journalistic greats. It’s fun to watch the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient videos and listen to the speeches. Lynn Sweet, among others, was honored this year.

People will often say, “it was an honor to have been nominated.” And if I’m being 100% honest, I always felt sorry for people who were forced to make that exact statement. And I certainly never believed them… until now.

I am not a career writer, and I battle imposter syndrome every time I’m acknowledged as anything, professionally, other than a teacher.

I am a teacher. But a writer? Events like these, award dinners and writer gatherings, are legitimizing and connect me to a wider writing community.

Anyway, here are some highlights from the ceremony!

Just in case you guys didn’t believe me. Here is actual photo evidence that I didn’t fabricate this nomination. Make sure you always fact check me, ya’ heard?

WINNERS!! Heidi Randhava won for her Evanston RoundTable piece, but also, I nominate her as best dressed. Hello pink pantsuit!!! And on the right is Lisagor winner and WGN reporter, Sylvia Snowden. Table 21 for LIFE.

THIS is my CUTIE LIL’ COUSIN, Talia Soglin, of the Chicago Tribune, accepting her Lisagor Award. They did spell her name wrong, but that’s okay, because she also won a ahem PULITZER this week.

Ignore my awkward crab claws, but here I am standing uncomfortably next to this sign.

Heading to the awards dinner! Martin and I in the big city… Makin’ our way downtown, walking fast, faces pass…

Look at Nicole’s stunning self! The chicken: 9/10 (surprisingly). Lifetime friendship: unquantifiable.

Here is when things got a little fuzzy. Still fun tho.

OMG, and how could I possibly have almost forgotten. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!!!! To all of the baddie moms out there just doing their thing in this dystopian nightmare hellscape. You’ve got this, gals! I BELIEVE in you.

And that’s a wrap. Thanks for reading, as always. I’m going to keep plugging away over here. I suggest you do the same.

Sending love and gratitude to my readers and subscribers and especially today to my paid subscribers. Thank you for investing in this Substack. That is the best Mother’s Day gift I could ever ask for. It means the world!