December Comes Out of Nowhere...

It is customary in a December newsletter to say, "How is it December already?" This tradition dates back to cavepeople days, when they probably said, "The snows are coming? Didn't we just have those?"

And yet, here we are. Another surprise December.

on the writing front

I've just turned in the second-pass pages for Puzzleheart (May 14th) and that should be it for my obligations until it publishes -- except for the bookmarks I want to make for pre-orders. If you're on Netgalley, you can ask my publisher for an e-ARC.

My picture book still hasn't been announced, but the illustrator followed me on social media the other day, so maybe the ball will start rolling on that soon. I am ridiculously excited to see what she does! I am a big fan of her work, and have been for years. I can't wait to tell you who she is.

on the not writing front

When I don't have a writing project, I start to panic, like an animal clinging to a crumbling slope and scrambling frantically to hold on. Panic is a great motivator and tool for some authors, but I don't have a great track record with it. When I start projects from that headspace, they often fizzle or fail to work. So this time, I am sitting with the discomfort and seeing what happens if I can make it through.

And... I seem to have come out on the other side. I am not panicking about writing. I am loving immersing myself in art, video games, friends, and house projects. I wish I had a writing project that excited me, but it doesn't feel like a gaping wound in my psyche. I will get back to writing eventually, I know I will. I love it. But it's a lovely change to feel good about myself even with the absence of writing.

oregon authors project

I was honored to be interviewed for the Oregon Authors Project. This was a fun one because John Repplinger asked me about graphic design and art as well as writing. I don't usually get to talk about the ways these arts intersect for me, except in this newsletter.

ceramics class 2 is in the books

Alas, my second ceramics class is now over. I took hand-building with artist Victoria Shaw. She was fantastic! So knowledgeable and kind, with a real appreciation for whatever weird stuff all us students wanted to make. She gave me some tremendous compliments on my work, and I'm holding them in my heart like small, glowing gems.

I tried a lot of new things this term, including a Japanese technique called kurinuki. Instead of building up a vessel, you start with a solid block of clay and remove. I'm not sure why, but I found this incredibly satisfying. It made me feel more connected to the material, to the earth, in a strangely profound way. I want to do a lot more of it.

But my favorite piece this term was this creature. I loved how using underglaze (which is not glaze at all, really) gave me more control, allowing me to do more graphic design with color application. When I showed the final statue to Victoria, she said, "Well, now that's worth the price of the whole class by itself." I actually agree.

By far my favorite part of taking classes has been meeting people in my community. Almost all of my friends are online. I can't remember if I've ever had friends made from a local community before. These friendships are new and fragile and quite wonderful. I've met so many interesting, talented, kind people who are so generous with their advice and time. It has been truly humbling and magical.

speaking of magic

Thank you for joining me on this newsletter journey, and for continuing to support me and my career. You humble me, too.

xxoo,
Jenn