Just some small, good things
A few heartfelt things and thoughts
My dear readers and writers,
I started writing a short essay about gardens and creativity metaphors but look, it’s election day, and I was already finding writing difficult as we narrowed toward this particular Tuesday.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like I’m screaming into the void. Whether it’s trying to market a new book or getting form rejections or writing and rewriting the same damn chapters or trying to get people to vote or trying to make any kind of positive change. I’m hoarse, friends, and I bet you are too.
I don’t have a prescriptive solution, only to say that I try to hold a few glowing embers close: that more positive things come of community than negative; that stories are worth telling; that hope and despair can’t exist without one another; and that change can happen, when we show up for it.
So, remember to take a breath (thank you,
). Listen to Vienna Teng’s empowering musical triptych “We’ve Got You” (really, you’ll come away changed) and write or read something today that you find beautiful.Maybe you want to (or need) help:
Election Protection— Hotlines and Resources {Common Cause}
Know Your Voting Rights {ACLU}
How to Stay Grounded Throughout This Election { Stone Soup}
Something to read if you don’t want comfort, you just want change:
I just finished re-reading Embassytown by China Miéville and while this book isn’t for everyone (it is a dense, visceral, wild ride) it felt like exactly the book I needed to read right now. Meaty, complex, incredible world-building, and aliens that feel truly alien. I felt a little bit lost the whole time but like, in a good way. Who isn’t feeling a bit lost right now, to be real? But this is also a story about the power of language and symbolic thought to change a society, and the ways, both intellectual and brutal, that individuals and groups can be de-programmed, though it requires fundamental change.
But like, also you deserve delicious comfort:
We’ve been making these Pumpkin Donuts every chance we get. We prefer them as little donut muffins, rolled in butter and cinnamon sugar. Easier to eat more that way. They come together in under an hour and are all kinds of allergy-friendly. And they’re delicious. Ok, I may have to go make some now.
You also deserve nice (free!) things!
I wanted to gently remind you that I am giving away a book care package and a marketing/craft seminar. FOR FREE. Because I love my subscribers. And I would love for one of these free things to go to you!
A FREE New Year, New You care package, including the anthology (signed by moi) and exclusive swag! Comment with how your new year resolutions are going/being planned (or your general feeling on resolutions) to be entered in the random drawing!
A FREE 90-minute small group session. I never give these away, because they’re a lot of work but you’re so worth it! You choose the topic, I bring the lessons, and we’ll have an intimate learning session together (up to 8 participants). If you’re interested, please fill out this quick form. Don’t self reject! There’s never as many people who enter these things as you think!
A poem to maybe break your heart a little and put it back together:
Your voice matters. Keep making your art. And make sure your voice is heard.
~Allison
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If you’re looking for more of my writing you can find it in Trollbreath Magazine and New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention