NEWSLETTER

Want the latest updates from my writing desk? Sign up for my newsletter!

stephanie.stephan.writes

Fiction Writer • Weird and Whimsical

The first time I encountered “The House on Mango

The first time I encountered “The House on Mango Street” was in high school. My teacher didn’t have us read the entire book, just a few excepts, but what I read has always stuck with me. There is so much to love about Sandra Cisneros’s novel. The poetic voice she uses somehow manages to reach readers of all ages. It’s the kind of book you can return to throughout your life and find something new in.

One of this book’s most recognizable features is its structure. Cisneros composed her narrative out of a collection of vignettes. If you’re not familiar with this style of writing, a vignette is a snippet of writing that captures a moment. Like a snapshot of story. Unlike short stories, vignettes are not beholden to traditional literary conventions. They aren’t (necessarily) concerned with plot, or character development. They focus on conveying a specific feeling or visual. The genius of Sandra Cisneros’s vignettes is in the way she strings them together to tell a coming of age story. Interestingly, the vignettes don’t have to be read in chronological order in order for them to make sense. In fact, you don’t even have to read all of them in order for the book to make sense. Reading this book is sort of like holding a crystal in your hand, and twisting it so that you can see the light bounce off of every face.

If you have any recommendations for other books that experiment with narrative structure, please drop them in the comments! I’d love to add more books like this to my TBR list!

🥭 🏠 ✨

#Thehouseonmangostreet #sandracisneros #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #booklove #booksaremagic #bibliophile #bookjunkie #readingtime #readersgonnaread #currentlyreading #readersofinstagram #booksih #bookworm #booksbooksandmorebooks #booksofig #booksofinsta #bookslove

The pomegranate seeds are coming along! 🥰 Patt

The pomegranate seeds are coming along! 🥰

Pattern by @nightspiritstudio

#Crossstitch #crossstitching #crossstitchinglove #stitchersofinstagrsam #crossstitchersofinstagram #stitchcraft #stitchwitch #spookystitching #spookystitcher #gothiccrossstitch #Pomegranate #pomegranateseeds #hadesandpesephone #folklore #fairytaleart #folklorethursday #victorianhome #victorianstyle #deaderhomesandgardens #nightspiritstudio

I made these Millionaire’s Shortbread cookies fo

I made these Millionaire’s Shortbread cookies for my husband’s office party today. They have a shortbread cookie base, followed by a layer of caramel, and a layer of chocolate ganache. Basically a giant homemade Twix bar. 🤤 This was my first time successfully making caramel!! No burnt sugar or ruined pan! They turned out soo delicious. And of course I had to decorate them with gold sprinkles and gold edible glitter because…well…I’m me. 😉✨
Hope your Friday is sweet! ❤️

#kitchenwitch #kitchenwitchery #bakingfromscratch #ilovebaking #bakinglove #bakingtherapy #homebaking #bakingday #homebaker #foodstagram #foodgasm #cookiesofinstagram #millionairesshortbread #shortbread #winterbaking

I am guilty of underutilizing my website. Like, se

I am guilty of underutilizing my website. Like, seriously, when was the last time that thing was updated? (Please don’t answer that. Don’t even take a guess.) For example, I NEVER blog. In the past I’ve found it a little intimidating. A blog “article” seemed so official. What would I even write about? But I really want to give it a try. So today I’m working on some material that I will publish on my website in 2023. I’ll probably write about writing (because that’s what I spend most of my time thinking about), but who knows? Maybe I’ll venture into other topics as well.

What writing (or non-writing) subjects would you be interested in reading about? Let me know! I’d love to write something that people actually want to read 😂

Also, do you blog? If so, what is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who is just starting out?

#wordwitch #Writerssupportingwriters #findingmywritingcommunity #writersofinstagram #writersfollowwriters #blogger #blog #bloggersofinstagram #bookblog #personalblog #writingblog #mywritingdesk #mywritingday #mywritingcorner #amwritingfantasy #amwritinggothicfiction

Follow me on Instagram!