SONG INSPIRATION
Medicine by Queen Naija
WRITING
Progress on my novel (~190 pages) and short story (editing in progress) was advancing at a glacial pace, but I’m finally getting my mojo back. I still plan to complete my novel by late next spring. It’s beginning to look like this one novel might be better served as two. But I’ll deal with that later. As for the short story, I’m hoping to have it edited by a small farm of friends before submitting it into an appropriate contest and/or journal. ETA on that is a month or two. With regards to my depleted mojo, that wasn’t due to a lack of motivation or anything. Instead it was a combination of a brief vacation and some much needed reorganization / development of the plot for both stories. But now I have the direction and depth that I was missing, so it’s full steam ahead.
Advice: There will always be setbacks. View them as opportunities to reflect on decisions made and future courses of action. Then, keep it pushing. In terms of writing, I once read “There’s no such thing as writer’s block.” Controversial, yes, but I tend to agree. There are definitely days when you don’t feel like writing or your thoughts are a mess or you lack motivation. But write! Even if it’s only a couple of sentences, some quick dialogue, or a descriptive paragraph, WRITE! Keep moving forward.
GOING HOME – MAY
There’s nothing new about going home to the coast. This happens a few times a year. What doesn’t happen a few times a year is friends becoming medical doctors. I’m still riding high off watching several friends receive their MDs and begin residences across the country. One of those friends is my very best friend who’s basically like a sister to me. Watching her receive a much earned MD after her lifelong journey (which I’ve been privy too for 14 years) was extremely inspiring. Not to mention seeing her family brim with pride and joy. Loved it. And that’s only part of the trip. I brought boo home to meet the ‘Rents. And that went unsurprisingly well. My parents are super laid back, a little silly, and ooze of southern hospitality. Boo also had a chance to meet a smattering of friends and acquaintances in New Orleans. We reflected on these interactions which helped us understand each other more and grow closer. Bottom line: I learned a lot on this trip. I learned the type of people I want in my life, the type of people I want to keep at a distance, and the type of lifestyle I want.
Advice: Friendship is so important. That said, as we age, our number of friendships shrink and are replaced by a sea of acquaintances (related to work, hobbies, etc.). That’s totally natural and fine! There’s nothing wrong with having acquaintances, especially amicable ones. But those aren’t your friends. Thinking of friendship as kinship can really help you conceptualize, navigate, and appreciate your friend network.
I’M DONE
I’m done. Over it. Finished. Not with grad school. Not with life. But I’m done settling, wasting time on people, and caging myself in imaginary boxes. Where is this coming from? It’s directly related to the aforementioned trip back home. Although I was back on the gulf coast for just under 6 days, I spent a lot of time observing and reflecting. I’ve been blabbering all year about priorities, yet it wasn’t until this trip (partially due to the observations of an objective third party) that I really started to comprehend the types of people/activities/ideas I want in my life. I’ve realized what I want people who are easy to talk to, laugh with, and promote openness and honesty. I want people who are mature, but growing. People who want to experience the world and share it with one another. I’m letting go of people who are insecure, immature, arrogant, negative, overly sensitive, and stagnant. Poof poof, be gone!
Advice: I didn’t use to like this advice, but I’ve now developed a new perspective for it. Here goes: Don’t apologize for you. More precisely, don’t apologize for outgrowing your peers, for charting your own path, for prioritizing your happiness, and for being unapologetic about your journey.
CURRENT SHOWS
Currently watching: Detective Conan (s27); Lost in Space (s1); Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (s7); Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories; Westworld (s2)
Recently finished: 13 Reasons Why (s2); How to Get Away with Murder (s4); Moonlight Mile; New Girl (s6); Safe (s1)
Thank you for reading! Please leave any questions, comments, etc. below or feel free to shoot me a message. My next blog is scheduled for Thursday, July 5th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 