“The Fuel of Rejection,” by Deborah Jiang-Stein

I love to roller-skate. It’s one of my favorite things to do, a place where risk is safe, most of the time, and where the smooth surface in the roller rink and good wheels and bearings make all the difference in the ride. A few derby leagues have invited me to guest skate, that’s how much I love it.

Skating feeds my appetite for risk, especially since I’ve removed the rubber toe stops. I skate without brakes because it’s also how I’ve lived in most ways. I’m still learning how to “brake” in life.

Writing Prison Baby, took my guts as a skater and the same threshold for risk. And, I had to learn what to filter, where to “brake.” Continue reading →