Taking Stock
It’s mid-November, but as a person who always thinks about the year academically,1 it feels like things are just getting started. My kids are firmly settled, my husband and I are finally reaching a routine with our own classes, and we can breathe a little easier. That means it’s the perfect time for me to take stock of my own creative situation, and since I’m launching this here Substack only two and a half years after claiming the name, I might as well tell you about it, too.
I’m a writer. I’m also a school librarian. And a parent of two small humans. That means I’m constantly struggling to find time to meet my creative goals, and most of the time I feel like I’m failing at all of them.
Hard truth time: I’ve been agented for over ten years, we’ve gone on submission with two projects, and both have failed to sell. Sometime I’ll post about the full story of those projects; as frustrating and heartbreaking as it is, I think it could also be a valuable lesson for other writers. Anyway, it’s easy for me to get caught up in a cycle of negative thinking, because it feels like I’ve been working on my dream of publishing a novel for years with very little to show for it. (Not true at all - my craft has grown so much - but you know how emotions go. Reason flies out the window.)
Time is also tough. This year is actually the best it’s been in a while: I’m working part-time as a school librarian, which gives me the steadiness of a paycheck, and I have the mornings to write and work on other creative projects. But when I’m the person who’s home, it’s also easy for those hours to get sucked up by service calls and appointments. I have to be ruthless in protecting my writing time. So far, it’s going better than I expected, but I still find myself writing at odd times to get in my word count.
Yes, I’m still writing. I’m excited about the draft I’m working on, which is a rewrite of a previous project and fits the definition of “revision” in every possible way. I’m doing writing sprints, sending drafts to my critique group and agent, and meeting with accountability partners. I’m letting a few other ideas percolate in the back of my mind.
I’m also launching more formal book coaching services. (Stay tuned for more detailed information!) One of the things I’ve loved most on my journey as a writer has been beta reading other writers’ novels. What a joy to sit down with a book in progress and to highlight what’s working and what could be stronger; what a joy to brainstorm with the author about how to make it better. Yesterday morning I woke up to the lovely news that I’m officially certified as a book coach through Author Accelerator, and I’m thrilled that soon I’ll be able to help others make their projects as strong as they can be.
Because even if I can’t control publishing, I can still be involved in the things that bring me joy. Reading and critiquing other writers’ WIPs to get them ready to submit to agents. Basking in the gorgeous light of storytelling with other people who love it as much as I do. And writing, writing, writing - because I will always have that, just for me.
In these letters, I plan to share a bit more of the inspiration that’s fueling me: what I’m reading, what I’m watching, and what I’m cooking or baking. I hope it’s fun.
Reading
Scarlet Morning by ND Stevenson
I’m reading this with my older daughter before bed, but she loves it so much she often snags it to keep reading on her own before lights out (that means I end up with reading homework so I’m caught up - oh, darn). We loved ND Stevenson’s graphic novel Nimona, and this is his first magical foray into MG fiction. It’s about pirates, salt storms, and the lacunae between worlds, complete with Stevenson’s signature illustrations and tons of kooky humor. Check it out if you’re up for a wild ride.
The Railway Conspiracy by John Shen Yen Yee and SJ Rozan
I typically have an audiobook going to keep me company while I’m running errands or doing chores, and I just started listening to this follow-up to The Murder of Mr. Ma. I LOVE Sherlock Holmes, historical adventures, and mysteries, so this is the series I didn’t know I needed but am now completely in love with. Set in 1920s London, the series follows Judge Dee Ren Jie and his Watsonian companion Lao She as they investigate crimes revolving around the Chinese community in England. The Murder of Mr. Ma was packed to the gills with adventure, nods to the Holmes oeuvre, and closely-observed commentary about English colonialism. I’m so excited to dive into this one.
Watching
Fall always makes me crave immersive mysteries, and we have one more episode to go of The Residence on Netflix. I am SO BUMMED that it got canceled! It’s the perfect twisty mystery, with engaging characters, humor, and not too much grim storytelling. I love me a good quirky detective, and Cordelia Cupp (played by the amazing Uzo Aduba) delivers.
Cooking
My husband recently got the entire family into EPIC: The Musical, and now he’s convinced our friends to come over and experience the glory of Jorge Rivera-Herrans’ sung-through musical adaptation of The Odyssey. Because I’m me, I’m planning a Greek-themed menu for our pre-viewing dinner. I already made David Tanis’ Baked Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta from the NYTimes (gift link) as a test, and man is it tasty. Sop up those extra juices with some soft pita bread.
I worked a non-school job for exactly one year, between college and grad school, and promptly re-entered the academic world when I got my master’s in teaching. Can’t help it: for me, August marks the beginning of the year, June the end. Summer is a glorious void.
I’m so excited to hear that you’re certified!!
As for the three-pronged life of parenting, educating, and writing, which I also share— it is so hard to find time and split focus. But ultimately, I come down on the side of all three enriching my life in different ways at different times, and I am grateful to have been called to create in these meaningful ways.