The theme of this issue is Transition. Together, the stories explore lives shaped by movement, uncertainty, rupture, and change. What drew you to the moment or experience at the heart of your piece, and how does it speak to lives in a world in transition?

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My story focuses on the moment when the fragile space between the life one yearns for and the life they are forced to accept, suddenly turns a corner. My protagonists’ diagnosis transforms not only her future but also the way she sees herself, her family, and the people around her. I wanted to explore the stories of the people who experience different kinds of transitions in life, such as illness, loss, uncertainty or simply just the act of trying to make it through each day.
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What inspired you to write this piece, and what do you hope readers will take from it?

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My husband, Vlad, challenged me to write a short story that would invoke a sense of melancholy, in just one day. I hope readers walk away with a greater appreciation for life's small moments and compassion for the unspoken struggles many face that go unnoticed.
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The pieces in this issue range in tone from righteous rage to wistful nostalgia to quiet observation. How did you arrive at the tone of your piece, and what role does it play in conveying its central concerns?
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Rather than creating drama for its own sake, I wanted quiet honesty in my story.  It allows readers to resonate with the characters by bringing awareness to ordinary thoughts, feelings, and experiences that are often invisible. 
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What felt most important to bear witness to through your story?

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Real grief is rarely simple. The emotional complexity of a terminal illness includes surrounding guilt, helplessness and exhaustion experienced by everyone around the affected individual. Each character exposes their raw thoughts and emotions, rather than following what expectations society has set out for them when it comes to how they ‘should’ behave. 
 

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Do you think your story speaks to the possibility of an otherwise, and if so, how?

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Yes. I do believe there is an ‘otherwise’ quietly present in the story, like the brief glimmer of a firefly in the darkness. Even amid regret, anger and grief, there is the possibility of seeing life differently. We humans often search for someone to blame when tragedy strikes, but not every story has a villain. Compressing an entire life into just a few months resembles endlessly scrolling through social media; moments of joy, fear, love, and loss, appearing one after another with no clear order, yet together forming a complete human experience.