Shit I’m Digging This Week: Volume Two
April 30, 2018
Hi Folks,
Happy Monday! Can you believe we’ve already blown past April? Where the heck did the time go?! My post is a little late today because I’m still recovering from the weekend. I attended the New England Chapter of the Romance Writers of America’s conference in Burlington, Massachusetts. I drove up north with some of my New York City RWA chapter mates. Who doesn’t love a good road trip? Even though we got back to the city last night, today, I had the day off from work and my intention was to get some writing done, but after not getting anything done for three days I had to play catch up with a laundry list of author responsibilities.
I really really really need a clone. 😢
So, what awesomeness am I digging this week?
I’ve been following Pigeons & Planes on Twitter for some time now, and I have to say this tweet thread made me laugh so damn hard! It’s a pretty genius idea.
Speaking of Kanye West if you’ve been living in a social media blackhole allow me to get you up to speed. Last week he posted a picture of himself wearing one of those red hats 45 supporters love. You know the ones. The slogan boldly displayed across the front challenges us to return America to its former glory days when oppression was super in vogue and I’d be considered 3/5 of a human being. YAY! 😑
The result of Kanye posting the photo? He lost 9.2 million Twitter followers in about ten minutes. That may not seem like a lot to some people since he has more followers than you and I will ever see in our lifetimes, but woo boy, I had a good cackle. Look, I had a fondness for Kanye and his music before 2011, but he’s lost all credibility since. It’s hard to let go when you adore someone’s artistry, but imo problematic people shouldn’t be rewarded which is why I stopped spending money on Kanye years ago. Nonetheless, his Twitter foolishness makes for an entertaining feed when the hot takes happen.
Speakeasy
My DVR is about 80% full, and last week I decided it was time to free up some space. I watch a LOT of PBS. A LOT. Documentaries and music specials are my jam! I recorded an episode of Speakeasy back in November in which Jimmie Vaughan (badass guitar player and older brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan) interviewed Gary Clark Jr. They lit up the stage, and it’s pretty amazing. Watch for yourself.
The Paris Review Interviews: Vol 2
I purchased this book used about a week ago. I am in love with the Paris Review! Writing is haaaard, you guys. I whine about this a lot because some people think it’s simple. NOOOOOPE. Not so. At times, it can be easy to forget why I do this but reading interviews by some of my favorite authors (James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Gabriel García Márquez, Stephen King) has renewed my desire to tell stories as only I can. I think every author goes through periods of, “WTF AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE?” My latest period of self-deprecation has only lit a fire. If I’m going to stick to my production calendar, I will have to find creative ways to keep my eye on the prize. These interviews certainly helped. When the going gets tough, look to the ones who’ve come before you and paved the way. No one has it easy. If you want to succeed, you’ve got to put in the work.
Trust me… I AM WORKING.
And that’s about it for this week. Kinda. I had two more things I wanted to share, but if I’m going to check off a few more things on my to-do list before I head to bed, I’d better end the post here.
Until next time… see you in two weeks!