I’m the Word “Just” in a Piece of Writing, and I Just Want You to Give Me a Chance

By Kerry Elson 

Hey. It’s just me, the nemesis of creative writing teachers everywhere. You know … “just.”

Teachers tell you to just delete me, cross me out, excise me from your short story, essay, poem, creative nonfiction slice-of-life documentary storytelling article. Because apparently, I’m just … unnecessary? And a sentence without me is just … stronger? But they’re just wrong. Just so, so wrong.

Just.

Just.

Just.

Just wanted to put extras of myself in this piece becaus...