Writing in Public: Observations
The music is absurdly loud. The handful of people who do not have headphones are talking loudly so as to be heard over the music which means that we with our headphones in have to have the volume on our devices almost maxed out to avoid the inappropriate discussions being hand by the young women that are currently positioned to my right.
A man with the newest iPhone is scrolling through his phone, pausing and then holding up a magnifying glass to his screen. I want to show him the zoom feature, but something tells me that he already knows how to do that trick and prefers the magnifying glass.
My Three Most Read Articles on Medium
A Word on Gratitude
I wrote a gratitude post on Pilgrim Fowl Press earlier today which I will link here: https://www.pilgrimfowlpress.com/post/full-of-gratitude
I wanted to also post something here about my overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
This year has been challenging for me. My life changed a great deal, and I am not ashamed to say that for the most part, I have had a hard time emotionally.
Keeping busy is what keeps me sane and going, so I started a lot of things. I dove into project after project, and I slowly started finding myself again.
On November 3rd of this year, I published my first book for adults and launched my small press.
I did not treat this like a big deal even though it was. It is.
I could keep going, but I won’t. You’re great. You all make me great. I hope I help make you great.
Tony Made Me Cry
Well, the adventure is over. FullTimeTony and The Planet Playground adventure is over.
What is this Planet Playground you speak of, Barbara?
Well, I’m so glad you asked, Tim! FullTimeTony and The Planet Playground is an epic tale of adventure, aliens, and parenthood that you must read immediately. NOW. DO IT NOW. Click this.
But, Barbara…Why are you crying?
1) It’s over. I know there is more coming, but still… Weepy face.
2) Tony wrote a very nice Thank You post that made me have all the feels.
Cool, cool…Why you are…writing like this?
Real Talk – My friend Tony did a brave thing. He had an idea, he executed that idea, and he did the unimaginable: He shared it with the world. But didn’t just do a brave thing, he did a great job. It’s funny, heartwarming, and entertaining through and through.
And, and, and! He says there will be mooooooore! I’m so excited!
You can start reading this novella using this link: https://fulltimetony.wordpress.com/2019/07/13/fulltimetony-and-the-planet-playground-introduction-and-chapter-one/
As you can tell from the URL, this links you right to the beginning. Happy Reading.
Tony, we (me & Tim the Dinosaur) love you!
Personal Update
Hello, there, social media.
I have not been posting on social media as often as usual. No, I am not going on a social media cleanse. I just haven’t had the time or desire which is saying something seeing as I typically only use one social media platform: Instagram.
Women have to go to the doctor way more than men.
I can finish anything in 30-minute increments.
I finished the edits of my novelette in 30-minute sessions. Sometimes, I could get two in before work, but mostly, I did a single session after my morning routine was taken care of.
I would pour a cup of coffee, open Scrivener, set a timer, and go!
I had to redo all of the previously made content for my new class.
Since the launch of the novelette, I have been working on a course that I have been promising my writing students all year – How to Write a Personal Essay.
I have a lot more writing to do.
I have three more holiday novelette in store for my pen name.
Memorial for the Best Couple on TV
Here’s the thing: If you haven’t watched every season of The Magicians, skip this. You’ve been warned.
I went to the comic book store yesterday (which is the best use of a Saturday), and my partner picked up issue one of The Magicians comic. Love.
When I went to check out with a variety of Dog Man books for the step-person and the single Magicians comic for we grown-folk, the lovely, comic book genius behind the counter had picked up a hardcover edition of The Magicians: Alice’s Story for me to peruse.
Let me say right here and right now that the staff at my local comic book is the most knowledgeable and kind of all the stores in the world. Period. Also, this was the most subtle sales pitch ever. They saw I had a Magicians comic, and genuinely thought, “Hey, they might not know about. I’ll tell them about it.”
Back to the story:
Our conversation went something like this –
Magical, comic book store unicorn (MCU): Do you watch the show?
Me: Yeah. Well, I did.
MCU: It’s coming back on soon.
Me: Yeah, I don’t know if I can watch it now that Quentin’s gone. He and Eliot were supposed to end up together! That was the whole reason I was watching.
MCU: But, they had that whole day together where they lived an entire life…
Me: I know! Proof of concept! ::sigh:: I just can’t watch Eliot be sad…
MCU: I get that.
Me: Are you going to watch it?
MCU: Yeah.
Me: That’s good. You watch it, and I’ll come in for updates.
MCU: Okay, I can do that.
Then, they gave the rundown on The Magicians: Alice’s Story. While Alice is my least favorite character on the show (the actress is great. I think the character type just annoys me which means the actress is doing her job.), I liked her in the books a lot.
So, yes. Of course, I bought the book! Yes, of course, I’m reading! What am I? A monster?
Morals of the story: 1) #QuentinandEliotForever and 2) My comic book store is the best comic book store
Highlighting a Lovely Review from a Lovely New Friend
A Gathering of Writers
In case you are a fellow writer that has taken a class on Skillshare or Udemy and missed the emails:
Hello, Writing Friends! This is a friendly reminder to sign up for the LIVE Q&A on Sunday! The Q&A will be held at 2p Central Standard Time and will work a lot like an Instagram Live and Reddit had a baby.
You will be able to see me and I will be able to answer your questions in real-time. Also, you will have the opportunity to vote up questions that have been submitted by your fellow writers!
Click the Link to Join – https://www.crowdcast.io/e/ds13n1c9
I do hope to see you all there!
The Game Changers
a documentary recommendation
While I am not vegan or vegetarian, I found this documentary fascinating and encouraging.