Fall is really the best

I’m covered in leaves

💻 what I'm up to 💻
It’s been a quintessential fall in Asheville. The leaves exploded in vibrant colors in October, framing even the most mundane errand-running into a moment of awe-inspiring beauty. Anytime my husband and I took a walk around the neighborhood or at nearby parks, I kept my eyes on the ground, admiring any especially flashy leaves that had fallen from trees (then again, I always keep my eyes on the ground because I am clumsy AF). I want this time of year to sink into my skin so I can hold it close when the calendar turns to summer. Give me a constant bubble of crisp air to keep out the humidity. To live in a cozy sweatshirt, what a dream.

That crisp air turned cold over the weekend, as Tropical Storm Nicole brought winds and rain and blew out the last pleasant temperatures of autumn. I know weather patterns are complex but I picture a broom sweeping across the sky, hitting all the trees as it goes and knocking off the last of the changing leaves. The Japanese maple in our yard went from being covered in vibrant red jewels to being naked practically overnight.

Things change in a second. I’m not the first person or even the millionth to equate the changing seasons to a “the only thing that’s constant is change” lesson, but I need to hear it and remember it and maybe you do too. Every thing, every relationship, every project… they all have their seasons. The best we can do is curse about apparently getting an actual winter two months early, and then flow with the change in a way that feels right for you and is the kindest to others.

📘 my book things 📘

God of War Ragnarök is here and it’s by turns ripping out my heart and making me laugh out loud. Hearing Kratos say in his very Kratos way, “I do not need a snack” has had me giggling for days. Anyway! This means my book The Art of God of War Ragnarök is nearly here!!

I just got my comp copies and 1) this book is massive and 2) this book is beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. The art is the star here, and it’s glorious to see it in printed form instead of the PDF on my tiny laptop screen. Anyway! If you want a signed copy and want to support an indie bookstore, order The Art of God of War Ragnarök from Malaprop’s. You can order any of my books from them and I’ll swing by to sign them.

What else. I wrote another video game art of book in August and a project in a new-to-me IP realm finally just got going after a bit of a delay. I still have my theme park romcom in my back pocket (which I will hopefully get out on proposal early in the New Year if I ever get my butt in gear on edits) and a middle grade fantasy idea I’m super excited about and super scared to keep writing.

Finally, I wrote a few things about Andor for Nerdist that I’m feeling proud of: a tribute to Kino Loy, how Andor’s rebellion comes before hope, and an interview with writer Beau Willimon and EP Sanne Wohlenberg.

📺 what I'm watching 📺

Andor
Look, I know it’s not a surprise for me to like Star Wars. But I can generally separate “hey I enjoy this because it’s Star Wars from wow this is actually amazing storytelling.” So, here I am telling you: if you only watch one Star Wars thing this year, please make it Andor. It’s prestige television that happens to be set in the Star Wars universe. The writing, the performances, the tension… I’m in awe. AWE. I’m not saying all Star Wars needs to be like this; I just didn’t know Star Wars could be like this.

Abbott Elementary
I’m very behind on this show, but darn it, Abbott Elementary fills the sitcom hole that Parks and Rec left in my heart years ago. This group of Philly teachers trying their best is wholesome, sharp, and sweet. I shake my head at their predicaments and laugh out loud in the next minute. Also, I would do anything Barbara Howard asked me to. Anything.

Bonus: I’ve seen the first three episodes of Willow and it is charming and fun. The series very much nails the tone from the movie and it has all kinds of glorious ‘80s fantasy vibes with a budget! Not to mention the super charming cast.

📚 what I'm reading 📚

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Imagine reading a book that’s like a warm hug filled with coffee and cinnamon rolls. That’s Legends & Lattes. It’s a cozy fantasy book, which I didn’t know could be a thing! Cozy means the stakes are low. Viv, an orc warrior, has retired from a life of adventuring; she just wants to introduce people to the magic of coffee. She gets a spot, she makes friends along the way, there are lattes and heavenly-sounding baked goods… some conflict happens but friends, this is a chill and wonderful book.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
I went through Heartstopper on Netflix in August and shortly thereafter I borrowed Alice Oseman’s graphic novels from the library and likewise inhaled them. The story is by turns gooey, tangled, real, and hard. I. Loved. It.

And some of the many other books I’ve read in the past few months: Extra Witchy by Ann Aguirre (it’s part of a romance series called Fix-It Witches and is every bit as fun as it sounds), The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson (books changing lives and towns and it’s great), and I’ve been racing along with the Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. If you want a meaty middle-grade fantasy series to throw your whole self into, I recommend this one. There are nine books so far with one more planned. I need to know how it all ends!

🐳 something whalesome 🐳
I like wholesome things and the whale emoji is cute so: whalesome!

@good.boy.olliePumpkin update! The end is near #pumpkin #dogsoftiktok #labrador

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Meet Ollie and his emotional support pumpkin. This melt-your-heart-cute pairing could be entirely staged but even if it is, I do not care. This pumpkin needs to last forever.

🍃 creativity corner 🍃
Here I’ll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.

Buds, I got nothing. In fact, I’m really struggling to do anything besides work, reading, working out, and playing Dreamlight Valley and Ragnarök. Maybe one of you will have a tip or trick for me? I’m all ears!!

📃 quote of the month 📃

“Breathe in, breathe through.
Breathe deep, breathe out.” - Taylor Swift, “Labyrinth”

Is Midnights amazing? Yes. Do I have a different favorite song practically every day? Also yes. Labyrinth with its whole try to be in the moment vibes is currently up there for me and these words… you can apply them to so many situations. Just breathe, friends. Breathe.

How are you? In the words of my favorite Peloton instructor, Bradley Rose, you all right? (I realize that is not a Bradley Rose thing so much as you know, a general Great Britain thing, but still). Reply or comment and let me know.

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