š» what I'm up to š»
It is almost the end of year and that means itās the time of year where I need to give myself nightly pep talks just to floss my teeth. My brain is done. I want to spend a few days wrapped in blankets and cats on the couch with my husband, playing Dreamlight Valley, putting together puzzles, eating soups, drinking hot buttered rumā¦ you get the drift. Capital C Cozy.Ā
I have too much writing to do after Christmas but between today and Sunday? Itās baking cookies, bundling up (that cold front is bringing unusually frigid temps our way), and resting.
Lately Iāve been feeling how much I love living in Asheville. I only saw Frozen 2 once but Iāve been playing the soundtrack on repeat recently and I keep going back to āHome (Outtake).ā I donāt even know if itās in the movie, but itās Anna singing about how much she loves Arendelle and wants to give it more.
The songās been hitting a mushy spot for me and I didnāt expect it. When we moved here in 2021 it was pre-vaccine. That year was a lot of staying at home and getting takeout and doing things outdoors when we could, gradually exploring more after we got vaccinated. But 2022? Itās been the year of plunging roots into the ground more fully. Iāve never loved living somewhere as much as I love living in Asheville.
The community, the nature (mountains!), the local businesses, the food, the farmerās markets, the 5000 Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood. We set up a bird-feeding situation in our yard and put in native pollinator plants; weāre making plans for bee and ladybug hotels now. Weāve developed regular spots and routines and know some of our neighbors better. Iāve identified my go-to writing coffee shop.Ā I am oozing gratitude.
Home. It feels good.
š my book things š
The Art of God of War Ragnarƶk drops soon! You can still preorder a signed copy from Malapropās (you can order signed copies of any of my books from them).
That other licensed project Iāve been mentioning for a while is listed on the publisherās site. I havenāt received official clearance to blab about it soā¦ stay tuned. Iām very excited to be working on my first Marvel book!
Otherwise I have my theme park romcom, which I hope to get out on proposal in Q1, my middle grade fantasy thatās about a National Park but for mythical creatures, and I have the beginnings of an idea for a cozy fantasy. I just need to write. Easy to say.
Iāve been hard on myself and my lack of productivity this year, but I have to kick myself and remember I wrote 2.5 books. Thatās not nothing. Itās not what I wanted to get done, but not nothing.
šŗ what I'm watching šŗ
This time of year my husband and I rewatch our holiday favorites (like Elf, Klaus, Home Alone, and Die Hard), but outside of those, Iāve been looking for shows to make me laugh.
Ā Avenue 5
I remember when season one of Avenue 5 premiered in 2020 that I wasnāt sure if Iād dig it. Then I had the same feeling before season two because Iād forgotten the story and tone but soon into the recap of season one I remembered, ah, yes, the writing on this show is so sharp and the performances are *chefās kiss*. Itās about a luxury, not properly staffed spaceship that gets thrown way off course and canāt return to Earth for ages and things go downhill from there. Like, all the time. Hugh Laurie is hilarious in this offbeat, irreverent show.
Mythic Quest
Yāall, this show gets better every season. Itās a workplace comedy set in the video game industry and again, sharp dialogue and excellent performances. Charlotte Nicdao is everything and Rob McElhenney is delightful. Season three is wonderful so far.
š what I'm reading š
You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith
Boy do I have the perfect wintertime read for you. This one's set in Philadelphia, mostly in a pinball arcade. Adam is trying to keep his dad's pinball business going, while one-time friend Whitney's dad is trying to buy the space and turn it into an esports cafe. Then a blizzard sweeps in and Adam and Whitney get stuck in the arcade... it's so fuzzy and cozy and will make you want to go play pinball (even if, like me, you're terrible at it).
*This book is by my lit agent but that is not why I'm recommending it.
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
The cozy theme continues! In this one - a holiday rom-com!! - two identical twins must swap places for reasons that only happen in novels. It takes place both in LA and in a fictional small mountain town called Starlight Peak. Both sisters' stories involve a lot of baked goods and warm fuzzies.
š³ something whalesome š³
I like wholesome things and the whale emoji is cute so: whalesome!
Meet Footloose! This very sweet boy was attacked by a snapping turtle in the fall but he made a full recovery and is on his way to becoming an ambassador animal for Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. I started volunteering with them in early December and Footloose sits behind me and supervises while I do recordkeeping. Heās chatty, he makes the most noise when he eats and drinks, and he is generally adorable.
Ā š creativity corner š
Here Iāll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.
Chasing ideasā¦ how do you not do it to the detriment of your current projects? I have two perfectly lovely books Iām excited about (and my agent is into) but this cozy fantasy idea, I just want to dive in. Why are brains like this? Is it better to chase the new idea for a while to give it life beyond your brain or should I write it down somewhere and move on?
This clearly isnāt a tip or trick; it is a cry for assistance. What do you do when this happens, fellow writers?
š quote of the month š
āWell, you can go on looking forward. There may be unexpected feasts ahead of you.ā - Gandalf
If youāve been enjoying the newsletter this year and youāre able, please consider throwing a few dollars to Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. They do wonderful and hard work rescuing and releasing injured wildlife in Western North Carolina.
I hope your holidays are wonderful and restful and whatever you want them to be. Thanks for reading this newsletter! (If you didnāt get a postcard, sorry, they went fast! And if you did get one, I apologize for my handwriting). My very best to all of you.
I can really relate to the ideas problem. I just keep a list of ideas in the app I use for writing and try to keep focused on what Iām working on.
You make me want to make a trip to Asheville. I have many friends in the area! Funny enough I was searching Malprops for your books and stumbled on the new project for 2023 and I CANNOT WAIT! Something a friend and myself have been wanting for the past year. Hope it's a great holiday season.