š» what I'm up to š»
Welcome to December, everyone. Here we are in a hustlinā, bustlinā season that tends to come with just as much stress as it does comfort and joy. I hope you have some peaceful reading time by the light of holiday decorations with a cup of cocoa this monthāokay, thatās speaking for myself. I hope you get to do whatever brings you happiness and peace.
Last month I went to Walt Disney World for work and was reminded of, well, several things, but let me mention two. 1) Animal Kingdom is definitely my favorite of the Disney World parks and 2) Human connection is all around us.
In some downtime at Animal Kingdom, Aaron and I prioritized seeing all the animal things we could. While walking the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, we came across Panchita the hippopotamus. The hump of her back extended above the water and a bird walked back and forth gently on it. I thought the bird was stepping on a rock until I looked down and saw this sweet, sleeping angel. She lifted her head every so often for a delicate breath. Something about it was so peaceful, so simple, so capivating.
Shortly after that we took the train to the Conservation Station and visited the petting zoo area, appropriately named Affection Section. One goat was eating up attention from anyone who would stop to scratch his back or neck; he didnāt seem picky. Aaron noticed one of the people petting the goat had a tote bag with an image of the same goat on it and complimented it, and she just opened up to us about how she visits Affection Section almost every day and has her favorite animals. She told us everything about the goat in front of her and then opened her tote bag and pulled out a book the staff at Affection Section made for her, with photos of all the animals she loves and photos of her with said animals. She pointed out the rides are all the same, so she doesnāt care about themāthe animals are different every day.
Her joy was palpable.
We parted ways, me with tears in my eyes from this sweet person sharing her connection to the animals with us in another form of connection.
I donāt always leave myself open for those kind of moments, but Iām going to make an effort to do it more.
š my book things š
I still canāt talk about any of the things Iām working on right now. I hope to be able to share some concrete things in January. I can say I have multiple adult rom-coms in the work, along with a few non-fiction IP things.
If you have any desire to get a signed book of mine for the holidays, get an order in with Malapropās ASAP! Just let āem know in the notes that youād like it signed.
šŗ what I'm watching šŗ
A Biltmore Christmas
The moment you realize Peacock has Hallmark Christmas movies is a happy one. One of the new ones this year, A Biltmore Christmas, was filmed right down the road at Biltmore. It involves time travel, lots of Biltmore, and also features small roles by both Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardoāa real Trek blessing. Itās a cute movie and the Biltmore sets are gorgeous. I love seeing Asheville on the screen. š„°Ā
Ghosts
Oh my gosh Ghosts (the American version) is my new favorite comfort sitcom. Sam and Jay inherit an old home and plan to turn it into a B&B, and Sam falls and hits her head. She recovers but the near-death experience means she can see all the ghosts who call the place home. The humor is irreverent, the actors are terrific, and I appreciate that when Sam tells her husband and others about her ability, they believe her. I adore it. (Itās based on a British show with the same name, but I havenāt watched that one yet).
š what I'm reading š
Flirting with Fate by J.C. Cervantes
This book has been on my to-read pile for ages. It's about family, a blessing, a fate, and allowing yourself to believe in magic and the improbable. Ava Granados is late to her nana's deathbed and therefore misses the blessings the women in her family bestow. She has to make things right in order to set her nana free. I loved how real, lovely, and determined this book is.
MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios by Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, and Gavin Edwards
If youāre a fellow MCU nerd, this unofficial book that has interviews with plenty of official folks tells the story of the rise of the MCU (mostly focused on the making of the Infinity Saga) and itās fascinating. I flew through this informative, entertaining book and it made me rethink the current state of the MCU (a little, anyway).
š³ something whalesome š³
I like wholesome things and the whale emoji is cute so: whalesome!
This is Joey. Listen to his meeps.
š creativity corner š
Here Iāll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.
This is my tip to you, a gift you can give yourself for the holidays.
That notebook youāve been saving for the PERFECT idea, the most SPECIAL story? You have that story within you right now. Get out that notebook. Write your information in the front. Scribble on that first page. You deserve it and so does the notebook.
š quote of the month š
āWe donāt turn to story to escape reality. We turn to story to navigate reality.ā - Lisa Cron, Story Genius
Always remember, stories matter.
Comment or reply and let me know how youāre doing!
It makes me so happy to know youāre watching Ghosts (CBS)! I love that show so much. Do you have a favorite character? I adore them all, but I love Isaac. His rivalry with Alexander Hamilton always makes me laugh, no matter how many times I rewatch the episodes. He also gasps as much as I do, so he naturally became my favorite. I canāt wait for new episodes to start airing in February!
Thank you as always for your uplifting posts. Your story about meeting that lady, your tip and quote are all amazing. And you NEED to watch the British Ghosts. This year's Christmas special will be the last episode so you'll have the whole story to binge in one go. I haven't watched the US version but I guess imagine that in an old British manor (which my family visited earlier this year!); I'm sure it's just as funny, though the UK version has a caveman that is simply the best character. Well, they're all so good. I grew up with six of the Ghosts actors with a show called Horrible Histories but they wrote/starred in Ghosts together. They've just released an archive book based on the show thatvis very funny and I got to see them and get a signed copy at Waterstone in London! (Sorry for the long comment, Ghosts rant over... for now.)