Gemotions

The aroma of freshly printed ink used to excite Clara, but recently it just reminded her of deadlines and disappointment. She had been working for months on a new cookbook, a passion project filled with family recipes. She was a culinary professional, but she felt like an impostor. Everything felt like a chore.

A new editor arrived at her publishing house, Sarah. "Clara, I need you to meet George. He has just finished a cookbook, and it is going to be a hit."

George's cookbook was laid out for the team. Clara felt her heart sink. It was as if she was staring at a warped mirror image of her own work. The layouts, the photographs, the recipes… all disconcertingly similar. She excused herself, the familiar feeling of pressure building behind her eyes.