October...

Apples, pumpkins, birthdays

Happy October! Or, as I like to say: Happy My Birthday Month! This month has been a nice blend of chill and active. We got to have a fun family day at the zoo early in the month, got to spend some time with friends, have lazy days at home, lots of soccer, went to a concert (more on that later), and I ate three-fourths of my birthday apple pie all by myself in three days. I’ve been in a weird place with my writing this month though, I think because I’m not immersed in the middle of any one big thing, so my focus is all over the place. I’m having trouble finding my groove in this particular space of working on a short story, revising and querying a finished novel, and slowly starting a separate big project. It’s just one of those seasons where I’m more likely to get distracted by other things (the laundry, deep diving the life history of a new-to-me-musician, looking up good kids’ board games for the Christmas list, re-organizing a closet, running errands that don’t need to be run, etc., etc.), rather than sit my butt down in a chair and do some actual writing (or editing, or professional development, or what have you). 

That said, I’ve been slowly making my way through an online writing seminar taught by author Maggie Stiefvater, and she talks about her process of pre-writing and planning in a way that I really connected with (and that makes me feel better about this particular phase I’m in). She talks about how she spends a lot of time in her head thinking about a project before she actually begins writing or even putting ideas down on paper. The key is that she’s taught herself to think about it in certain ways that build upon each other, so that once she finally starts writing things down, the story comes much more quickly. She doesn’t outline in a traditional sense, but she makes certain decisions about the story before she starts writing it.

So, maybe I’m just doing lots of pre-writing! There’s a fine line between procrastination and thinking, of course, but I’m telling myself that it’s all part of the process. 

What I’m reading…

Just Pru by Anne Pfeffer. This was a really lovely book about a woman whose apartment has just burned down. She has no job, no friends, mentally and emotionally abusive parents, and somewhat crippling depression and anxiety. Yet Pru’s story is warm, hopeful, and funny. It’s a story about a woman who learns to be brave, and just as important: the people who come alongside her and encourage her in that journey. It reminded me a lot of  A Man Called Ove in the way the author similarly illustrates the power of community and relationships, as well as the way both authors balance darkness and light in their stories. (It’s also possibly because I just read Ove, but the books do have a similar vibe). 

Still Life by Louise Penny. Speaking of series that have been around for a while...this is the first book in the Armand Gamache series of mysteries. People who love this series really love it, and it’s been on my to-read list for a while. (fun fact: I used to read a TON of mysteries, but now I have to be in the mood and it has to be just the right vibe). The series is set in a small town in Quebec, Canada, and if the first book is any indication, it seems to be right up my alley. Vivid descriptions, compelling characters, and a solid, non-gruesome mystery. Still Life was set in autumn, and the setting was so atmospheric and immersive that it was the perfect fall read. 

The Trouble with Hating You, by Sajni Patel. This rom-com was mostly good, but not great. You may ask yourself: why are you telling me about it then? I think it’s the kind of book that might connect differently to different readers, and I didn’t DISlike it, so it’s definitely worth mentioning. It’s set in Houston, and features an Indian-American cast of characters, which were both big selling points for me, and something I think the author did a great job with. The story felt very grounded and rich in detail. The main character has a very compelling story arc that involves past trauma and sexual harassment (nothing is described graphically), and I think it was really well done—the character’s history informed her present in a very realistic way. That said, something about the pacing just didn’t work for me, which is why it was good but not great.

Clean Sweep (The Innkeeper Chronicles book 1) by Ilona Andrews. Ilona Andrews is a staple in the paranormal fantasy world, and I’ve read a few of her novels, but I’d never read her Innkeeper Chronicles books until a friend recommended them. This first installment, Clean Sweep, was delightful. It’s a fun, quick read with fresh takes on familiar paranormal tropes. For example: vampires, werewolves, and other mythical creatures are actually aliens from other planets. In the series, Dina is an Innkeeper: guardian of a sentient Inn where magical and mythical beings from across the galaxy can be sheltered in a neutral setting. Of course, it’s a setup that’s ripe for all kinds of shenanigans and stories. I loved the characters that we’re introduced to in the first book, and am looking forward to getting to know them better.

What I’m watching...

I’ve been watching The Wonder Years remake on ABC, and it’s pretty fantastic. The show takes the premise, structure, and time frame of the original series, only this time following a Black family in Montgomery, Alabama. So far, they’ve done a great job of capturing what made the original so endearing--the coming of age awkwardness, family drama and dynamics, small stories set against big, cultural backdrops--and giving it life with new stories and characters. Plus, the cast is phenomenal. Obviously, we’re only a few episodes in, so there’s time for it to go off the rails, but so far so good.

Jeremy and I got to go see the new James Bond movie No Time to Die, and I really enjoyed it. It was a nice conclusion to the Daniel Craig set of Bond film

What I’m listening to…

With the exception of 2020, October has begun to mean one thing in the Waters’ house: Needtobreathe tour! I love listening to live music and seeing talented people in action. Needtobreathe always puts on a great concert, and this one didn’t disappoint (although, to be honest, the crowd was a little ho-hum. Not sure if it was just our seats or the whole crowd. Fortunately, Needtobreathe was not deterred and were fantastic). This fall they’ve been touring with Switchfoot and The New Respects, so of course I’ve been listening to a lot of music by all three artists and you really can’t go wrong with any of it. Switchfoot was so fun and full of energy. The New Respects were completely new to me before I knew they were opening on this tour, and they are now new favorites. They’ve got this really fun blend of funk-infused rock and amazing vocals and harmony. (and they were fantastic live!). 

Sing: Remembering Songs by Ellie Holcomb. Somehow, despite the fact that Ellie Holcomb’s album Sing: Creation Songs is a perennial favorite at our house, we missed the release last year of a new Sing album: Remembering Songs. It’s such a nice, joyful album.

Something I’m grateful for…

The 6yo is playing his fourth season of soccer right now, and has a new coach this time around. He plays in a local rec league that is very low key (especially at this young age), coached by parent volunteers. I’m really hoping this particular group of kids wants to stay together for the spring season and that Coach Bryan wants to coach again, because this has been a great season so far. The kids get along pretty well, and Coach Bryan is really patient and layed back, but also encourages them to learn and work hard. 

I’m also thankful this month for some beautifully mundane days, friends who like watching our kids, and the opportunity to host a backyard cookout. Casual gathering is one of my favorite things.

Thanks for hanging out! Now it’s your turn: tell me what you’re reading!