Drama

A note from Editor-in-Chief Amanda Miska

I’d like to welcome you to our Fall 2015 issue—even though, I know, it’s almost winter.

Since the last time I wrote this letter, a lot has happened. To me, and probably to you as well. The big news is that I relocated this summer from the suburbs of Northern Virginia to the suburbs of Philadelphia. I have only moved as a student or single person: moving a family is an entirely different beast. And it was vicious.

Sometimes the weight of everything I have to do, as well as the weight of wondering if any of it matters, keep me in a rut of laziness and indifference. This summer was one big rut—I had too many things to do, and I felt drained most of the time (yes, that is partially why this issue is coming in early December rather than mid-October). Then the fall flew by too, and I was still settling in to a new life and new routine, both as a writer and an editor, and here we are, almost winter, getting this issue live by the skin of my teeth.

One way I know I’ve matured as a writer (and person?) is that despite all the Shit, I write. Even if what I write is shit. It’s important that I keep the blood flowing, even if I’m just keeping a journal of complaints or starry-eyed longings. In the past, before I took my writing seriously, I would let almost anything get in the way of doing the work.

If you know me well, you know I am an optimist, but the dirty truth of it is that there is ALWAYS going to be shit, both major (Shit) and minor (shit). It’s called being human. In writing, it’s called drama. What would we write about if everything came easy?

One of my favorite parts of editing is putting together the issue and getting the chance to read the work closely one last time: I am always inspired. The mark of a really good piece of writing for me is that it makes me want to write or gives me a new idea or challenges something I’m already working on. This issue is full of pieces like that.

The next time I write this letter, we will be on the other side of this year. There are a lot of changes ahead for Split Lip, of the exciting and nerve-wracking variety. We are so thankful for everyone who supports us, and we look forward to meeting you on the road (hopefully at AWP 2016 and some local events early next year!). Thank you for reading.

—AKM