It’s a Brave New World at the day job today. Yesterday’s events 100% supported my decision to base story squad dynamics on my former team. You write your catharsis. (I do, anyway). I’ve always been better at processing emotion through storytelling than, say, therapy. It IS my therapy. While it’s true that you can’t make […]
Why Great Art Connects Us Across Time and Space (Even with Monsters) Read More »
Spent time last night on character work for my squad timeline in new #wip. “Using my difficulties” from work – smashing together personalities, reimagining petty squabbles. I know at least one author who turned tumultuous day job-inspired drama and team dynamics into a bestseller. So why not? I think this round gets me to the
On Emotional Wounds and Storytelling Read More »
Working on getting back into new book this week. Last week’s chaotic day job ate headspace. As I discovered last few months with last book, getting deep into Weird Novel headspace is fabulous way to spend These Times. I want to get grounded into this one more. Trying to think what made last click. A
Drafting a Book is Like Shopping at IKEA Read More »
This was an exceptionally stressful week at work, and I am here to remind everyone (and myself!), once again, to give everyone a little grace in our everyday lives this year of all years. Stress and uncertainty are endemic across personal and professional lives. People’s houses are literally on fire. My job has an office
When the World’s on Fire, Dig a Well Read More »
This weekend is seed organizing and inventorying weekend. I had been pining for a card catalog for this effort, but of course those are financially out of reach. So instead spouse bought these modular knockoffs and assembled them into a tower. You do have to fold the seed packets, but same energy. This was also
Embracing What We Can Control Read More »
Woke this morning thinking of my team at work and how the last six months has made us feel like a squad of soldiers trying to survive the AI wars. My next thought slotted a missing chunk of the new book into place. I have a protag with a squad, and now I have starting
Use Your Difficulties (to Make Great Art) Read More »
Back when I was pandemic drinking, it didn’t click that alcohol was causing significant sleep disruptions, and it was the sleep disruption that was making me feel stupider and made it harder to concentrate. This is also a big part of why new parents feel stupider, btw. It’s the sleep deprivation. My paternal grandfather’s only
Why the Productivity Craze is Making You Less Productive (And More Miserable) Read More »
I am back at the day job today. I work in advertising, and it’s been… An exciting time to be in advertising, let me tell you. On the upside, it’s comforting to know that literally no one has any idea what is happening or what’s going on or what to do next. If they say
Choosing to Be Grimly Optimistic Read More »
Had fun with composition in this one. This composition idea came from watching a lecture on composition and how to use light/shadow and framing to draw the eye around and around in a painting. So your eye moves around that lit circle that’s made out of the trees and the water. This Caravaggio does it
We Don’t Need to Monetize Everything that Gives Us Joy Read More »
As a PR pro, we used to tell people to get ahead of various online controversies by making statements that refute them. It turns out this is the absolute worst way to respond to criticism or correct errors of any kind. Social media has made this worse. When you respond, it kick-starts issues again. 24/7
The Best PR and Personal Brand Advice You’ll Get This Year (Maybe Ever) Read More »