Burnout is so hard! I'm glad you are recovering. I have been doing somatic exercises to help with stress and their is a great woman on Instagram called @theworkoutwitch who posts some amazing content.
I can't wait to read the Marvel mindfulness book! The title is so perfect. It feels like an end of an era to hear about you leaving Nerdist, but it sounds like it was the right choice and I'm really happy to see you putting your own needs and mental health first. As for what I'm reading, I'm about to start on the Elric of Melnibone books. Have you ever read them?
Right? My editor came to me with that title and I was like YES.
Yeah, it's nice that I'm still there part time - I can keep a toe in the water but also have some distance! <3
First of all, Elric of Melnibone is such a great name. I've heard of them but haven't checked them out. I see there's only 6 of them, which isn't too intimidating!
I'm still a bit confused as to how many books there actually are as they've been republished numerous times by different publishers and in different forms, but the most recent versions are omnibuses published in the author's preferred order, so that's what I'm going with.
I'm not even sure if they're something I'm going to enjoy, but I've had so many people tell me that I need to read them that I can't ignore it any longer. Especially since they're also available as audiobooks!
'...if someone could make more hours in the day and grant me the mental reserves to go with them, I’d appreciate it.' That certainly describes how I'm feeling too. I'll have been back a week from my holiday and have yet to have any free time besides an hour walk with a friend (I did I to myself though, going to a comic con the day after I got back, and saying I'd get in contact with lots of people after the event - which is exciting though!). Never mind the fact that I haven't worked on my novel properly in months. I don't know how you juggled it before stepping away from Nerdist - I barely have time for everything I want to pursue without a job! Like you I've got to remember balance as I look at all the possibilities. It's so great that you're putting more time into the joy of storytelling though; big congrats on that, and the Marvel book! Xmen and that Henson doc are both things I need to set time aside for... I'm about to launch into the last book of my Rick Riordan (sometimes re-)read through, which has taken a long time but has been very rewarding. Then I can finally get to some older and classic recent books, as well as so many that have building up from the kind, amazing authors I've met and discovered over the last year. Thanks for the whalesome and creative content!
I'll prioritise the Henson doc even more now then! And yeah you totally should read more Riordan if you get the time - he's got a whole mythological universe going on!
I'd be surprised if my publisher went for a book tour but I'll definitely be doing preorders for signed copies through my local bookstore and should have a link for that soon.
Hi Amy, I just wanted to share something I thought about while reading the newsletter. I am always juggling multiple projects at once (usually personal projects that make me happy), and it can get overwhelming when I feel like I didn't get enough done during the day. I started using a planner a few years ago, to at least be able to say, "I made some progress on something today."
I recently started working out first thing in the morning, most days, and that helps me feel like at least I did something those days. Good luck on all your projects, and I'm really looking forward to the Hulk Not Smash book
Hey Ferdi! Planners, we love them! I love my planner and my daily to-do list. Crossing something off - even just one thing - is satisfying for my brain.
When I stick with a fitness routine, it is such a mood and energy booster... being consistent with it, however, is not my best thing. Work in progress. :)
Wow, Amy - great to hear that your writing life is really taking off... sounds like you made the right decision to move towards your own writing vs. continuing to work as an editor. Glad to hear you are also deeply immersed in nature and mindfulness - it brings the Balance!
And on that last topic, I'm trying to get some traction on an idea I had when reading (in one of the last interviews about the Bad Batch with Jenn Corbett and Brad Rau), that there was a lot of unused 'footage' of the Omega/Crosshair meditation scenes from Season 3/Episode 8. Wouldn't it be great if those scenes could be repurposed into a Disney+ or YouTube short - especially for kids and teens who might be struggling with anxiety and stress? There's lots of data out there to show that this is a real problem for those age groups in this age of cyber bullying and possibly toxic effects of engaging in some apps and sites. With your background in Star Wars and in mindfulness, maybe you could consider 'signal boosting' this idea. Thx for considering!
My flowers and birds are always such a nice escape and pull me into the moment so quickly. I'm starting to get into a morning habit of coffee and checking on various things around the yard. :D
Oooh that is such a fun idea and would make all the sense!!!
Burnout is so hard! I'm glad you are recovering. I have been doing somatic exercises to help with stress and their is a great woman on Instagram called @theworkoutwitch who posts some amazing content.
I feel so much of this article in my bones and my soul. If not now…when?
Yes! It's so easy to let things slip into a possible future.
I can't wait to read the Marvel mindfulness book! The title is so perfect. It feels like an end of an era to hear about you leaving Nerdist, but it sounds like it was the right choice and I'm really happy to see you putting your own needs and mental health first. As for what I'm reading, I'm about to start on the Elric of Melnibone books. Have you ever read them?
Right? My editor came to me with that title and I was like YES.
Yeah, it's nice that I'm still there part time - I can keep a toe in the water but also have some distance! <3
First of all, Elric of Melnibone is such a great name. I've heard of them but haven't checked them out. I see there's only 6 of them, which isn't too intimidating!
I'm still a bit confused as to how many books there actually are as they've been republished numerous times by different publishers and in different forms, but the most recent versions are omnibuses published in the author's preferred order, so that's what I'm going with.
I'm not even sure if they're something I'm going to enjoy, but I've had so many people tell me that I need to read them that I can't ignore it any longer. Especially since they're also available as audiobooks!
My go to book when I need to reset is “The Jedi Mind” so I am super excited for “Hulk Not Smash”!
That is so lovely to hear! I hope you enjoy Hulk Not Smash too!
'...if someone could make more hours in the day and grant me the mental reserves to go with them, I’d appreciate it.' That certainly describes how I'm feeling too. I'll have been back a week from my holiday and have yet to have any free time besides an hour walk with a friend (I did I to myself though, going to a comic con the day after I got back, and saying I'd get in contact with lots of people after the event - which is exciting though!). Never mind the fact that I haven't worked on my novel properly in months. I don't know how you juggled it before stepping away from Nerdist - I barely have time for everything I want to pursue without a job! Like you I've got to remember balance as I look at all the possibilities. It's so great that you're putting more time into the joy of storytelling though; big congrats on that, and the Marvel book! Xmen and that Henson doc are both things I need to set time aside for... I'm about to launch into the last book of my Rick Riordan (sometimes re-)read through, which has taken a long time but has been very rewarding. Then I can finally get to some older and classic recent books, as well as so many that have building up from the kind, amazing authors I've met and discovered over the last year. Thanks for the whalesome and creative content!
The Henson doc in particular has a lot about creativity and the constraints of time - it kind of helped me prioritize? A little?
But wanting to do all the things is very relatable.
I've not read Rick Riordan outside of the Percy Jackson books but I've been meaning to!!
I'll prioritise the Henson doc even more now then! And yeah you totally should read more Riordan if you get the time - he's got a whole mythological universe going on!
I hope you do a book tour because I'm going to need a signed copy of "HULK NOT SMASH"
AWW!
I'd be surprised if my publisher went for a book tour but I'll definitely be doing preorders for signed copies through my local bookstore and should have a link for that soon.
So glad to hear you are taking steps back and putting yourself first. Can't wait to read all the wonderful books in the pipeline!
<3 It's been very, very good.
Hi Amy, I just wanted to share something I thought about while reading the newsletter. I am always juggling multiple projects at once (usually personal projects that make me happy), and it can get overwhelming when I feel like I didn't get enough done during the day. I started using a planner a few years ago, to at least be able to say, "I made some progress on something today."
I recently started working out first thing in the morning, most days, and that helps me feel like at least I did something those days. Good luck on all your projects, and I'm really looking forward to the Hulk Not Smash book
-Ferdi
Hey Ferdi! Planners, we love them! I love my planner and my daily to-do list. Crossing something off - even just one thing - is satisfying for my brain.
When I stick with a fitness routine, it is such a mood and energy booster... being consistent with it, however, is not my best thing. Work in progress. :)
Wow, Amy - great to hear that your writing life is really taking off... sounds like you made the right decision to move towards your own writing vs. continuing to work as an editor. Glad to hear you are also deeply immersed in nature and mindfulness - it brings the Balance!
And on that last topic, I'm trying to get some traction on an idea I had when reading (in one of the last interviews about the Bad Batch with Jenn Corbett and Brad Rau), that there was a lot of unused 'footage' of the Omega/Crosshair meditation scenes from Season 3/Episode 8. Wouldn't it be great if those scenes could be repurposed into a Disney+ or YouTube short - especially for kids and teens who might be struggling with anxiety and stress? There's lots of data out there to show that this is a real problem for those age groups in this age of cyber bullying and possibly toxic effects of engaging in some apps and sites. With your background in Star Wars and in mindfulness, maybe you could consider 'signal boosting' this idea. Thx for considering!
My flowers and birds are always such a nice escape and pull me into the moment so quickly. I'm starting to get into a morning habit of coffee and checking on various things around the yard. :D
Oooh that is such a fun idea and would make all the sense!!!