I’ve been working on an essay about my tinnitus (you say təˈnīdəs, I say ˈtinədəs, we’re both correct) on and off for four years. One section was more lyric than the rest of the essay, and I struggled to find a way to return to that lyricism. The essay remained unfinished. This year as I revisited this essay yet again, I realized that the only way to finish it was to let go of that lyrical section. I didn’t just delete that section. I lifted it out and put it in its own Word doc where I turned it into a micro creative nonfiction piece, less than 250 words. It was recently not accepted by River Teeth’s “Beautiful Things,” a beautiful micro CNF online journal that I’ve yet to place a piece with.
But lifting out that lyrical section allowed the original essay to finally become a complete cohesive story about discovering, struggling, and living with tinnitus. This essay has found a home at Dorothy Parker’s Ashes—“Brazen words by witty dames. Everything true. More or less.”—in September’s themed issue “Noise.” I originally titled my essay “Quiet,” but you can read the renamed version “The One Who Hears Everything” here.
Thank you for reading! Writing is a lonely endeavor and your presence here brightens my day!
Wow Laura, this was powerful and amazing, and what is going on for me. Tinnitus has been going on for me for the past couple of years. You are such a gifted writer, and hearing your voice really touched me. Thank you
Just listened! It was nice to hear your voice tell your story. Thoroughly enjoyed.
I almost didn’t do the recording, nice to know you listened to it!
Well done Laura!
Being a fellow sufferer, you have described tinnitus so clearly. I have cicadas chirping in my ears and I also listen to waves at night to help quiet the chirping.
I really enjoyed being able to hear you read the piece. I miss hearing your voice. <3
Glad my descriptions resonated, though not glad you can relate. Thanks for listening!
Beautifully written essay about such a difficult and the un-beautiful tinnitus. And well done on perseverance with revision and honoring the story. Congratulations on Dorothy Parker’s Ashes (love that journal). And here’s to finding the right home for the other piece. Brava!
Thank you, my fellow persevering writer friend!