I know, at this point it’s more like bi-weeknotes isn’t it? I’m working to get back on a weekly groove, but it’s not a huge priority right now. It is summertime after all.
It’s been a wacky couple of months. The world’s supposedly “returning to normal,” but we’re not there yet. Feels a little surreal–which is probably why this image I saw on TV didn’t phase me as much as it should’ve.
WRITING
I posted April’s writing stats last time and like I said then, May isn’t going to look much better. Somebody I follow on Twitter, I forget who right now, tweeted something to the effect of feeling they were writing in circles that day. That’s actually a good way to describe my writing the past couple of months. Bits and scraps, anything to keep the fingers moving even the tiniest bit.
READING
A couple weeks ago I ran a Twitter poll asking people what I should read next. It wasn’t helpful–two of my three choices ended up in a tie. Anyway, I did get a lot of reading done.
- I finally polished off RUST: A MEMOIR OF STEEL AND GRIT by Elise Collete Goldbach, right on the heels of Raechel Jolie’s RUST BELT FEMME. They’re very engrossing narratives to read side-by-side and had the added benefit to me of filling in the gaps I have of my old home town in the 216 in the years I’ve been away.
- Having satisfied my Cleveland side, I checked in with my Filipino side. The Filipina cozy in the poll question is ARSENIC AND ADOBO by Mia P. Manansala. I can’t remember the last time I had so much just sheer fun reading a novel! I’m actually psyched for the next installment of the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series.
- Shifting back to the Rust Belt, I got a lot out of finishing FOLKTALES AND LEGENDS OF THE MIDDLE WEST by Edward McClelland. Not just knowledge of the subject matter, but on the rhythms, structures, and themes behind folk tales in general viewed from a different perspective.
And no, before you ask, I haven’t gotten to the books I got at the Book Sale last time.
WRITER FUEL
Aside from reading, the occasional connection with the greater writing world always helps me lubricate my mental gears. I’d almost forgotten I’d signed up for another online salon from Belt Publishing called “Bearing Witness: Collecting Oral Histories in the Rust Belt.” I really hope the whole virtual event thing doesn’t go away entirely when the world is fully in person again.
I didn’t know until the last possible second that last weekend had a plethora of virtual sci-fi/fantasy conventions, including Wiscon and Balticon, the latter of which I spent a good amount of time in! It was funny though, seeing myself keep to the same sort of panel attendance pattern as I do at in-person cons.
IN THE WILD
If I have anything interesting come up between now and Sunday, I’ll post. If not, then I’ll be with Asher Mir here…
