Some is better than none
Also, my next book!
💻 what I'm up to 💻
Hello, friends. It is August. You are probably quite aware of this since we’re 11 days in and also because it’s probably steaming hot wherever you are (if it’s not over 75 degrees on average where you are, I’m happy for you and also jealous–even though the weather here is not that bad, I just really hate being hot?).
I’ve been in quite a creative funk as of late. This comic by Gemma Correll summarizes my non-dayjob time:
Mostly I’ve been grappling with the strongest fear I’ve ever had of the blank page. I can’t get past myself to write a crappy draft even though that’s the point of drafting! I know it will be bad so why bother? Ugh, it’s not a helpful attitude. But two things, only in the last week and a half or so are helping:
1) I read Save the Cat Writes a Novel because plotting is effing hard for this baby fiction writer and I needed help with structure. I now have all 15 beats down for my theme park romcom and I’m working on 15 beats for my middle-grade fantasy today and tomorrow morning.
2) I’m embracing a “some is better than none” attitude. This is something I tell people all the time about writing (and I’ve definitely said it in this newsletter!) but I go in waves of not taking my own advice. I feel like if I can’t sit down and write 3000 amazing words, what’s the point? So silly. Because every time I write even 100 words, it adds up! Progress is progress. I know this! Why can’t I listen to myself all the time?
The Smoky Mountains being all majestic
I excel at the “some is better” than none approach elsewhere in life. If I don’t have a full 30 minutes or more to exercise? That’s okay. I can do a 10 minute Peloton ride or strength class (yes, I have become a person who flipping loves my Peloton and I miss it when I travel. If you use it, I’m amygeek there). If we can’t do a full hiking excursion to a national park because my husband is recovering from a stomach virus? That’s okay! We can take the hour drive there, see some sights from the car, and stop at overlooks. 100% worth it. If I don’t want to wash all of my hair, I can wash only my bangs in the sink and even that feels nice.
Obviously “some is better than none” doesn’t apply to everything. But when it makes sense, try it out.
📘 my book things 📘
Finally! I can talk about a project I finished several months ago: The Art of God of War Ragnarök! It’s coming from Dark Horse Comics on November 29, 2022–soon after the game drops on November 9. And let me tell you, this art is stunning. I had the best time talking to the wildly talented and thoughtful artists at Sony’s Santa Monica Studio and learning the many, many layers that go into making a video game. The attention to detail, y’all. It’s a book full of gorgeous concept art and I can’t wait to see how it all looks in the game.
I enjoyed digging into Norse mythology and playing the 2018 God of War game again for “research.” I can’t wait to see the next step of Kratos and Atreus’ journey. Sure seems like they have a lot of drama ahead…
You can preorder The Art of God of War Ragnarök from the usual suspects online, but I’ll have a link soon for signed copies from my local indie bookstore, Malaprop’s.
📺 what I'm watching 📺
Light & Magic
What a magical docuseries that is nowhere near long enough! Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) revolutionized the film industry. Watch this if you love seeing how VFX geniuses made shit happen for Star Wars, watch this if you don’t care about Star Wars but admire innovation, watch this if you want to hear George Lucas talk more than I’ve ever seen (I think), watch this if you want to watch how making the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park changed everything. Also watch it for some quality fashion! This series is such a treat and the interviews are fantastic and real. Phil Tippett and Dennis Muren 4eva.
For All Mankind
I know I’ve mentioned this show before but I also encounter folks who are unaware of it all the time so, I implore you: try For All Mankind. It’s a Ronald D. Moore show so Battlestar Galactica fans will be right at home with the many stressful situations that come up. Beyond that, it’s a take on alternate history. It starts with Russia winning the space race and that’s the catalyst for the US doing more, taking more risks–like going to Mars. Time jumps have taken the show from the moon landing in the ‘60s in season one to the ‘90s in season three. It is SO GOOD and will make you hide behind a blanket because it’s so intense!
📚 what I'm reading 📚
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
Need a lovely romance novel? Look no further. Luz Alana leaves Santo Domingo with her family's rum to establish a new client base in Paris. She has to deal with a lot of sexist shit. Then she meets James Evanston Sinclair, a Scottish Earl who wants to help. A fake relationship ensues. So does lots of smooching and charm and I adored this one so much. Thanks for the rec, Rosie!
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
We love a middle grade fantasy novel around here, and I've been meaning to pick up this series for a while. It follows 12-year-old Sophie as she meets a fellow Telepath, learns she's not as weird as she thinks, just that she belongs in another place. Magic, family, mystery about her past... there's a lot to enjoy and I have the next book in the series on hold at the library.
I’ve also been working through the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan (on book 2 and so enjoying them) and I also devoured Nicola Yoon’s Everything, Everything.
🐳 something whalesome 🐳
I like wholesome things and the whale emoji is cute so: whalesome!
This is Stevie the pangolin. He was rescued from illegal wildlife trade and accepted this human as his new mom, including riding on her back! His little (or not so little) tongue is ridiculous. (He's since been released back into the wild).
🍃 creativity corner 🍃
Here I’ll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.
Consolidate! It’s long been my routine (like at least a few years) to knock out any errands I have on Sunday mornings. Especially so since I moved to the south. Target on Sunday mornings here is bliss. Same with Trader Joe’s, as long as you go before they can legally sell wine/beer at 10am. I digress.
My point is if you can group your pain-in-the-butt errands and chores into one morning or day, it means you don’t have to do it another time. So you can sit down to write or whatever without your grocery list or laundry tickling the back of your brain. I believe in all of us to find other ways to procrastinate though.
📃 quote of the month 📃
“...even people who were once your sails can become your anchors.” - Xochitl Gonzalez, Olga Dies Dreaming
Okay, so first of all, this quote comes from a pretty shitty character in the book Olga Dies Dreaming. I just want to acknowledge that. But this line stripped away on its own… just remember if someone makes you feel terrible or you dread spending time with them or they do something awful, you don’t have to remain by their side just because you have a positive history. You can appreciate that while also moving on. Take care of you. <3
I hope you’re doing okay! Reply or comment and let me know.
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For All Mankind 4Eva!