Don’t Do the Thing That’s Not the Thing

By Caroline Langerman

A few years ago, a woman who had seen my essays in The New York Times wanted to connect with me about “how to get published.” At this time, I had two babies (my main work!), and unsure I had any advice to offer about a serious writing life, I paced around my house in my cuffed pajama pants, preparing to Have The Phone Call. When the phone rang, I plunked the kids in front of the TV.

“I want to be doing what you are doing!” she began.

Me? I looked down at my cuff...