Hard questions, easy answers 🌱
Before the pandemic, I spent a lot of time refreshing my inbox, hoping for good news about writing projects, acceptances, awards. Now, I refresh infection rates and death counts, bracing for bad news from friends and family. The Coronavirus, for all its horrors, has kept my needs and desires in perspective. A “no” from an editor feels so much smaller now than it did before. It's hard to feel too badly about a small dream slipping through your fingers when the whole world is unraveling.
Which brings me to a question that has bubbled up a few times during these weeks of social isolation: what, honestly, is the point?
That question isn’t as dark as it seems. It’s meant to be more of a reckoning, at least when it comes to writing, especially as I reach the 20K mark in the first draft of a new project. What’s the point? Should I even bother writing this new novel? There are so many excellent books in the world already, and I have spent so much time and energy trying to contribute something of my own. Is it selfish to keep trying? Should I focus my efforts on something more meaningful?
And then I remind myself that creative pursuits are not pointless. Money, despite the cries of late capitalism and “best of” lists and book advances and influencers, does not make something worthy. If I want to keep writing, keep experimenting, keep honoring my creative impulses, keep telling stories because it makes me happy - I can. I should. I will.
At the same time, I also want to sell a book. And that’s okay! It’s possible to honor the act of writing as a spiritual practice, and to dream of selling that work for fame and fortune.
Which brings us back to that pesky question: What's the point? I don’t have a good answer. But I do have this:
If I sell a book, I’ll have to write another one.
If I don’t sell a book, I’ll have to write another one.
Two scenarios. One conclusion. And maybe that's the point. 💛
Snack of the Week
Because I am very much limiting my trips to anywhere that isn't my backyard, I haven't been to the grocery store in quite some time - hence all the baking. If I want new snacks, I have to make them myself. This week's experiment was oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I really liked this recipe! Chocolate chips make any recipe *chef's kiss* and the oatmeal was perfectly chewy and maybe even healthy? Why not! Bonus pic: peep my IG for Calvin's review.
Relatable Reads
Meet Your Meme Lords, New York Times. “In the vastness of the web, what is the sampling of stuff that we can pull together that demonstrates what’s going on now?” This profile of the Library of Congress team that archives the internet perfectly satisfies all my niche interests. 🤓
The Routines that Keep Us Sane, The Atlantic. "For the moodier souls among us, routines create a well-worn groove for our mental energies and prevent squalls of anxiety, irritation, or sheer indolence from dominating our days." Yet another way this pandemic is wreaking havoc on our mental health!!! Also, a nice acknowledgement that work (creative and otherwise) can be a balm during stressful times. Also, the last paragraph! All in all, a very relatable article. ⏰
Is This the End of Influencing as We Knew It?, Vanity Fair. "[V]isual guides on how to be perfect, or perfectly messy, feel irrelevant when one is busy bleaching doorknobs and scrambling to file for unemployment." Love to see the mighty fall. 💅
A Tiny Challenge
Think of the most pointless, self-indulgent, just-for-you thing you like to do. Elaborate nail art? Binge watching Love Is Blind? Going for long walks that lead nowhere? Searching for inedible mushrooms? Writing poetry no one will read? Own it. Do it. Enjoy it. You deserve it.
See you next Sunday! 💌
Thanks to Cassidy L. for last week's donation of $4.22, in honor of .
So clever! So thoughtful! So appreciated!
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