Good Morning you blooming springs.
Now that I can finally talk about my upcoming book, The Winters - let me tell you how writing that book rewired my brain.
First, let’s go back five years.
It was 2017, and it was time to talk about what Book 9 would be. I’d written countless pitches, reams of breakdowns, binders full of outlines, and a hundred sample pages to go with every version. And as each attempt was rejected (and let’s be clear, these pitches were NOT good) - my brain began desperately throwing everything it had at it: What about intrigue! How about some murder! Wanna flashy writing device that piggybacks off something that’s trending? What if I committed to an impossible timeline and took less money! But, nothing worked. And after fourteen years as a published author, I was officially out of contract and with zero prospects.
Years passed. A haze of The Day Job. Life moving on. My once loud and raucous rallying cries that I’d get back to writing grew heartbreakingly and painlessly quieter and quieter. And when the pandemic hit in 2020, it almost felt like a mercy. Finally, no one would ask why I wasn’t writing. There were bigger fish to fry.
But, as the pandemic continued and I was stuck in my house day after day, I felt a sense of loneliness I’d never experienced before. And then I realized - the reason I’d never felt this lonely was because I’d always had writing to keep me company even in the darkest of times. I missed my oldest and dearest friend. But even as my longing grew, I understood that this was a dangerous epiphany for someone so broken and hopeless to have.
Because it meant I had to try to do something about it.
It was October, 2020 and I was set to present at a writing conference, but because it’d be virtual - I realized I’d be able to actually GO to the other workshops on offer for the first time. Seeing this opportunity to be a student again, I sat down that first day of the conference and asked myself “what do you actually like about this book?” To my surprise, the answer cut through clear as a bell. But, this time it wasn’t my brain that responded. It was the quieter, curious voice that bubbled up from my little broken soul. Unconcerned with desperate plot devices or what was trending, it just wanted to tell a good story and play together in the sandbox again. By the end of the conference, I officially had a place to start.
But, when I sat back down at my desk at the beginning of 2021 - that explosive passion and staggering speed I’d so prized as a writer were nowhere to be found. The hilarious expectation that I could write this book in a few whiplashian, fiery months was met with a shocking slowness that sent me reeling. I had to recalibrate. And as every Creative reading this knows, I had to figure it out fast before that little flickering spark was extinguished.
So, I dropped all of my melodramatic stunts and grand gestures and wild eyed, eruptive mythical expectations and just tried to write every morning before work - a solution that sounded so SO very VERY … boring.
There was no explosive passion. And definitely no staggering speed. Most mornings I wouldn’t write more than 50 or 60 words. Often, it was more like 8 or 9. But in the mundanity of those golden mornings - reunited once again with my oldest and dearest friend — there was magic.
Because in the slowness I learned to trust myself again. In the bluish haze of those boring suburban mornings, I was able to hear that quieter, curious voice with perfect clarity. And, as I let myself disappear, that little spark did something far more awe inspiring than explode with passionate fervor. It became a warm hearth to curl up in front of like I did when I was kid.
There is magic in the mundane.
There is far more warmth coming from a hearth than there is in an exploding firework.
Sometimes going slow is the most revolutionary thing we can do.
Each month, I’ll gather:
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🕯calming things
*****
🤩
Lana del Rey’s new album is so good.
I discovered THIS show through a clip I saw of THIS stunning performance. And just wait for the run at 1.14 to give you absolute goosebumps. (and HERE is the absolutely beautiful original version of the song)
That ^ show also has this SPECTACULAR performance that the group put together in a week just fyi - a week that included them getting the idea to remix their own song with Dvorák just for starters.
Are you a fan of Death in Paradise? Well, there’s now a SPIN OFF and it’s a delight.
Both Gardener’s World and Beechgrove Garden are coming back soon. And I CANNOT wait. (never gardened a day in my life)
There’s now a fifth season of Candice Renoir up on Acorn and it continues to be one of my favorites.
🤝
Follow Epic Gardening for sustainability, what to plant and really cool innovative ideas for your garden.
Follow Laura Hoang for delicious baked goods, and all things cooking and baking.
Follow Kanoa Greene for all things outside, adventure-y and joyous.
🌈
🕯
Kendra Austin is one of my absolute favorite social media follows. And she just came out with her own Oracle Deck. You can pre-order it HERE.
You know I love a candle. I just burned through (heyo) the lovely candles I got for Christmas, so it was time to replenish. Obviously, I started HERE. THESE TWO are my current favorites.
I made it through winter on the cuddly back of THESE noodles. I just ordered his soy sauce, as well. And my sister swears by his tamari.
I have worked with TidyLA for the past three years organizing every inch of my house. Her easy, gentle, no-judgment philosophy made every session with her a positive one and I never felt overwhelmed. Which is seriously saying something. I love an overwhelm.
🥰 I am here. Together, we will endeavor to just do the next right thing. 🥰
See you on the last Monday of every month.
<3
LOVE LOVE LOVE