Roads Go Ever On 01: The passing of time
š» what I'm up to š»
Time has no meaning. Iāve said this countless times. Iāve heard this just as many times. And itās true. I find myself measuring the passage of days not by looking at my watch or my plannerāthough that certainly helpsābut by noticing more atypical markers. Like, huh, my nails are clicking on the keyboard again (as they are right now) and itās time for another trim. Or how did we already go through another jar of peanut butter? And wow, did that whole season of a new show begin and end?! These are the things that strike me.
But I keep moving forward. I donāt know what else to do. The world has stopped, kind of, but in so many ways it hasnāt. So I work, I write, I give my cats lots of scritches and even more treats, I watch National Treasure and National Treasure 2 as often as I can without annoying my husbandā¦ I go on.
And to that end, Iām almost always trying to chip away at something. Right now Iām working on edits for The Art of Star Wars: Galaxyās Edge. The conversations Iāve had with so many talented Imagineers and also Lucasfilm art geniuses inspires me to learn, to question, and to try to condense their words into meaningful text. Iām nearing completion on A Kidās Guide to Fandom too, my first middle grade book and my first book not set in someone elseās universe. The illustrator is sharing so many gorgeous images and I think people will be really excited when we can announce who that illustrator is.
And finally, I started this newsletter, something Iāve been meaning to do for months and months. Thank you all sincerely for signing up! Iāll be sending this every other Wednesday.
š my book things š
The Jedi Mind is out November 10! You can pre-order a copy with a signed bookplate from Wheatberry Books, an indie bookstore near my hometown. I adore this shop, so Iād appreciate it and so would they!
Also coming soon:
Star Wars: Elee & Me, November 3 - an adorable (like, seriously so cute) childrenās picture book about friendship and growing up but not growing apart available exclusively at Target
From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back, November 10 - a short story anthology with a bunch of rad authors and also me. This is my fiction debut and my story is set on Hoth, during the battle, and is about an original character Corwi Selgrothe. I canāt wait for you to meet her.
As always, you can get more information about my books and such at my website.
šŗ what I'm watching šŗ
Kimās Convenience
I adore this show, this humor, and Appa and Umma. (An Appa/Appa appreciation thread for my fellow Kimās/Avatar: The Last Airbender fans).
Better Call Saul
Please protect Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, and Bob Odenkirk at all costs.
š what I'm reading š
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Every book I read in the Grishaverse is better than the last, and Crooked Kingdom, book two in The Six of Crows duology, is continuing this tradition. I started these books ahead of the upcoming Netflix series and I did not know they would continually squeeze my heart and make me lose sleep because I canāt put them down. If youāre looking for a YA fantasy series and world to sink into, this is it. I recommend starting with The Shadow and Bone Trilogy. Know that I am here for all your Darkling thoughts.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Okay, technically Iām rereading this. And within just a couple of months of my first read! I cannot gush enough about this twisting spin on Arthurian legend in a contemporary setting. Southern Black girl magic, exploration of trauma, hecking cool magic and worldbuilding. So. Fantastic.
American Primitive by Mary Oliver
Poetry is kind of a new thing for me, and Iām savoring this book of nature poems by Mary Oliver.
š³ something whalesome š³
I like wholesome things and the whale emoji is cute so: whalesome!
Henry (the dog) and Baloo (the cat) are best buds who love being outdoors together. This Instagram account constantly improves my day.
š creativity corner š
Here Iāll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.
During these last several months Iāve found my way back to Dungeons & Dragons. I havenāt really played since edition 3.5 about a thousand years ago. I play in an ongoing game (virtually), and Iāve joined some single night (one-shot) adventures (also virtually). For those one-shot games, I have the best time creating new characters and imagining short backstories. Like my new dragonborn warlock who has made a pact with a sentient library in order to gain secret knowledge.
So Iāve realized making D&D characters is a creative kickstart for me. Even if you donāt play, I recommend poking around D&D Beyond. Choosing a characterās race and class and thinking about where the character came from, why they want to adventure, their motives, their goalsā¦ itās a fun, useful exercise. I promise.
š quote of the week š
āBetter terrible truths than kind lies.ā Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom
I read this quote Sunday night and it just kind ofā¦ slapped me in the face. In a good, thoughtful way. If youāve read the book, it comes from Inej, which makes all the sense in the world. Itās about being in tough situations and confronting the truth, no matter how awful, instead of platitudes that may be soothing but that wonāt help you get to the other side.
I love the quote of the week.