A Break Before Something New - May 13th, 2025 Newsletter
Hello, readers!
We’re almost halfway through May, and
What Am I Writing Recently?
I posted a new writing update back on May 1st! If you haven’t read it, you might want to check it out.
In this update, I discussed having more interest in writing poetry than fiction. I’m still interested in writing more poetry as of this writing. In fact, I drafted a whole poetry collection called “Sonnets of Summer” last month!
I also just finished drafting a poetry collection called “Sonnets of Spring” very recently. After that, I took a short break from writing.
“Whaat!? A break!? Claris, are you burning out again?”
No, I’m not burning out. I just took time off as needed to replenish my mind with new inspiration and ideas before burnout can happen. This past April taught me that I had to take some serious care of myself and I’d like to prevent longer-term burnout by taking breaks more regularly. I was actually inspired to take a break thanks to my mom reminding me that I didn’t have to write a sonnet every day, when I was talking to her about my writing. I’m not sure if telling her that I was writing four sonnets a day, at the time, made her any more pleased.
It can be difficult, at times, to figure out when you really want to push out tons of words onto the page, and when you really need to slow down and let the ideas stew in your head first. Knowing when to be more “productive” versus “not productive” is something that I’m constantly figuring out. Even though I wrote and published a whole poetry chapbook on self care and burnout, that doesn’t mean I’m an expert. Everyone works at their own pace.
During this time of just gathering inspiration and trying to give myself a break from writing, I came down with a cold and a sore throat just after May began. I consequently spent more time letting myself physically recover from that vs. writing. It wasn’t like I had any specific project I was urgently trying to finish at the time, so I spent the time just resting and gathering inspiration.
After recovering, I spent some time getting beta readers to read through “Found,” my 2nd person narrative fairytale-inspired short story collection. The feedback is overall positive, so I’m confident that the writing will be complete after one more round of edits!
What Have I Watched Lately?
I watched this TED Talk presented by Amie McNee called “The case for making art when the world is on fire.” Given that this was released on the TEDx Talks Youtube channel back on April 26th 2025, it’s pretty timely and definitely a must-watch for why it’s more important right now to make art than ever.
McNee brings up some great points as of why it’s important to continue being involved in making art, from giving ourselves agency when the world around us feels out of control, to using art as a tool for activism.
What Have I Listened To Lately?
I’ve been listening to “Wizards and Spaceships,” a podcast hosted by Rachel A. Rosen and David L. Clink. Both authors discuss sci-fi and fantasy, though their recent episodes lean more towards sci-fi - some of it being themes that are also affecting us in real life (like their season finale’s AI episode). You can find episodes on their website.
The podcast just finished its first season, and I look forward to listening to a second one! Also, it was recently nominated for an Aurora Award in the Best Fan Related Work category! Congrats!
Episodes I recommend include:
Season 1, Episode 12: Transhumanism and AI ft. Robert J. Sawyer
Season 1, Episode 3: A New World In Our Hearts: Utopias ft. Ken MacLeod
Season 1, Episode 1: Some People Call Me the Space Cowboy
I also have been listening to AvidMC’s album “Through The Void.” AvidMC is a Youtuber and a musician, and all the songs in “Through The Void” are songs he composed while participating in Skyblock Kingdoms SMP, a Minecraft multiplayer server series.
I first discovered Avid sometime between Skyblock Kingdoms SMP being already done, but before Misadventures SMP (which I’ve written about in a past newsletter) began. I am honestly so impressed with his music! You can find his album on Bandcamp.
I’m also hoping that after Misadventures SMP ends, that he compiles all the songs he composed for that series into another album. All of those songs are really good, too!
What Am I Reading Recently?
I received a lot of books as gifts recently, so I’ve been trying to read through all of them. This also means I’ve borrowed less library books so I could catch up with my personal backlog of books.
Other books I read include:
“Run For The Hills, Geronimo!” by Geronimo Stilton
“The Kingdom of Fantasy” by Geronimo Stilton
“Hope: The Autobiography” by Pope Francis
“The Keeper Of Lonely Spirits” by E.M. Anderson
“Hungerstone” by Kat Dunn
“Catch the Sky: Playful Poems on the Air We Share” by Robert Heidbreder
Thank you for following my writing journey!
I hope you look forward to seeing more of my writing process and work. I also look forward to giving all of you more frequent updates as well, so stay tuned for more!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at clarislamauthor@gmail.com! I’ll respond within 48 hours (except on weekends and holidays).