Gemotions

The manuscript sat on her desk, a stack of paper held together with a rubber band. Years of painstaking research, character development, world-building. Emily knew every inch of this fantasy novel. It was everything.

She received an invitation to a writers’ workshop. She’d hesitated, then convinced herself the feedback would be valuable. The workshop leader introduced a new author. As he began to read, Emily's breath hitched. The plot, the dialogue, the very essence of the story, were echoing hers.

Her jaw clenched, and she had the urge to scream. She slumped back in her chair, feeling deflated. She felt like a fraud, like she was incapable. She didn't want to listen. This man, so confident, so assured, was reading her heart out loud.

Emily quietly slipped out before the break, her unfinished manuscript feeling like a heavy weight in her bag.