It's cold. And getting colder.
Happy New Year, Everyone!
Yes, I'm aware it's been the new year for a while. But I'm sure some of you only just started writing "2023" reliably. The picture above is me visiting my collection of plush bats, which is on display at the Boston Museum of Science for a couple more months.
It's freezing out, tomorrow is going to be worse, and the day after even worse. However, it is also one of my favorite times of the year, because so much is going on. Yesterday it was Imbolc, today is The Feast of the Purification/Presentation/Candlemas, and tomorrow is the Feast of St. Blaise and The Day the Music Died. All this means that the Christmas season is now totally and completely over, so take down any lingering decorations, or risk disaster. And no, I haven't forgotten that rodent who predicts the weather, nor the black-hatted priesthood that serves him. Whatever you celebrate, enjoy!
I've been getting back into writing after a slow and frustrating December and early January. Last month I completed two stories (i.e., got them to a point such that beta readers may be engaged) and I have a ton of unsold stuff to submit. I wish I had sales or publications to tell you about. The closest thing I can offer is that Saga, my favorite comic book of all time, printed my letter in issue #61. If your library has access to Hoopla, you can read it there for free. I debated whether this counts as a publication but you know what? I submitted it, they printed it. Certainly made my day. And considering I wrote and sent the letter at the beginning of their last big hiatus, four years ago, it seems my writing made an impression.
Writing fiction has been slow, but reading has kept up. I started with Tanuary, my annual celebration of my favorite author, Tanith Lee. I went with something old and something new this year. I re-read Night's Master, my second-favorite of her novels which I recommend highly, and a collection of ghost stories called Ghosteria, which not so much.
My favorite book so far this year by someone not Tanith Lee is Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned, by Brian D. McLaren. I'd say I comfortably fit into all the categories listed in the subtitle, and this book was so good I outlined the thing. I don't know that I've come to a real conclusion, but it gave me a lot to think about as I figure out what belief looks like for me, and my family, going forward.
Well, that's all I have for this month. Stay warm everyone!
Jessica
JessicaLevai.com
Yes, I'm aware it's been the new year for a while. But I'm sure some of you only just started writing "2023" reliably. The picture above is me visiting my collection of plush bats, which is on display at the Boston Museum of Science for a couple more months.It's freezing out, tomorrow is going to be worse, and the day after even worse. However, it is also one of my favorite times of the year, because so much is going on. Yesterday it was Imbolc, today is The Feast of the Purification/Presentation/Candlemas, and tomorrow is the Feast of St. Blaise and The Day the Music Died. All this means that the Christmas season is now totally and completely over, so take down any lingering decorations, or risk disaster. And no, I haven't forgotten that rodent who predicts the weather, nor the black-hatted priesthood that serves him. Whatever you celebrate, enjoy!
I've been getting back into writing after a slow and frustrating December and early January. Last month I completed two stories (i.e., got them to a point such that beta readers may be engaged) and I have a ton of unsold stuff to submit. I wish I had sales or publications to tell you about. The closest thing I can offer is that Saga, my favorite comic book of all time, printed my letter in issue #61. If your library has access to Hoopla, you can read it there for free. I debated whether this counts as a publication but you know what? I submitted it, they printed it. Certainly made my day. And considering I wrote and sent the letter at the beginning of their last big hiatus, four years ago, it seems my writing made an impression.
Writing fiction has been slow, but reading has kept up. I started with Tanuary, my annual celebration of my favorite author, Tanith Lee. I went with something old and something new this year. I re-read Night's Master, my second-favorite of her novels which I recommend highly, and a collection of ghost stories called Ghosteria, which not so much.
My favorite book so far this year by someone not Tanith Lee is Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned, by Brian D. McLaren. I'd say I comfortably fit into all the categories listed in the subtitle, and this book was so good I outlined the thing. I don't know that I've come to a real conclusion, but it gave me a lot to think about as I figure out what belief looks like for me, and my family, going forward.
Well, that's all I have for this month. Stay warm everyone!
Jessica
JessicaLevai.com
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