Since I'm beginning to read many more memoir works closer to the kind of writing I'd like to write myself, I thought I'd ask the collective : What do you look for in terms of analysis when you're reading a memoir? Do you make notes? What do you make notes on? What are you looking at and for when you're reading? Essentially, I only studied English lit until I was 15, and so it's been a LONG time since I've read works in this way. I like reading this type of writing because I enjoy it, but if I can also make it useful to my writing practice, I'd love to be able to do so. TIA for your attention!

This is the introduction thread. Say hi, tell us where you’re from and what your writing is all about! In your introduction, answer these 4 questions: ➡️ What is your name (preferred pronouns as well, if you don't mind) ➡️ Why did you decide to join The Unexpected Shape Café? ➡️ What is your favorite book? ➡️ What are you interested in writing about? We can’t wait to meet you! If you'd like to share anything else as well, feel free! And welcome!

What are some of everyone’s favorite writing tools—pens, pencils, programs, things to help focus, etc.? Over the last few years I’ve found myself incredibly fond of .25mm pens because I press so hard on the page (I think it may be a mobility thing), but I also love Evernote. I’m not good at keeping organized, but I find the notes less intimidating than a Word doc.

I thought it might be nice to have a daily pet thread. Here's Daphne, whom some of you might already know about. She's about 11 years old and an incredible sweetie (unless you're another dog or the USPS).

I recently wrote a blog post on my Substack that seemed to really resonate with a lot of people. It’s about what’s often missing from gratitude practices: https://madelleine.substack.com/p/the-missing-ingredient-in-gratitude