A Short, Bad Book
What I'm working on + reading 👀
I’ve been thinking about joining Substack for years, and, until recently, it really felt like *one more thing* on an endless list of things.
But, as I’ve leaned into writing for me as much as—or more—than I write for my copywriting clients, I thought, “Mmm, fuck it! It’s time. Let’s get messayyy.”
By messy, I mean I’m going to take you with me. Some posts will be public, many will be for paid subscribers only. This allows me to go deep into teaching in ways I used to do on recorded Zoom workshops. I may also do those sometimes if you ask me to, but for now, I’d much rather write as I learn and answer your questions as you follow the journey.
Also, I don’t want to pretend that I have anything fully figured out because I don’t.
And so, this is where you can find me writing about books—about the stories I’m reading and the stories I’m writing. You’ll learn about where I am in the process of each project, milestones I hit, and things I glean as I put art into the world.
Why the post title?
I try not to make much of a habit of reading about writing. I don’t want that to cloud my creativity, but as I’ve leaned into identifying as a capital W Writer, I’ve found that the occasional book about writing has helped me feel seen, part of a community of artists who are making money from their art.
So, I microdose them in the pickup line at my kids’ school.
I’m currently working through Dani Shapiro’s Still Writing, which I *think* was recommended at one of the writing workshops I attended. Honestly, I can’t say, and I do believe books find us when they’re meant to.
In my case, I’ll receive an email that my library hold is now available, and I don’t open it. I just head to the library to pick up my surprise treat. A few weeks ago, my treat was from Dani.
It’s written more in vignettes than it is in chapters (I love—love—short sections). One of those vignettes was titled, “A Short, Bad Book.” It talked about the goal of writing something short and bad and letting that be enough. I’ve read different versions of that message over the years, but that simple phrasing finally hit.
It’s like Dani took what Anne Lamott and Rick Rubin have been whispering into my ears forever, put it together, and gave me permission to just…finish something.
My Short, Bad Book
I’m not being hyperbolic when I tell you I’ve been working on a novel for about a decade. I’ve worked on it in fits and starts, and almost every morning before my family woke for about a year.
When I didn’t feel like writing it, I’d edit it. The beginning has been edited multiple times. The middle and end have not.
This summer, I became determined to finish it. On the day I looked in the mirror and said, “You will finish your novel in the next two weeks,” I wrote THE END that afternoon, surprising myself.
It’s now with a developmental editor, a person in whose hands I know it’s safe.
At just under 70,000 words, it feels like the right length, if lacking in some character development and pacing. We’ll go over her thoughts on the manuscript in the next few weeks, but I’m proud of myself for giving it to anyone at all. I don’t really believe in beta readers (for me) because I trust very few opinions.
Honestly, I’d rather pay for expertise and not ask friends to spend hours of their lives giving me feedback for free. Maybe I’ll change my mind on that someday, but I haven’t yet.
I’ll share more about it in future posts, but for now, I’ll tell you the novel is a coming-of-age story of a perfectionist-type girl who graduates college during the 2008 financial crisis with her whole life planned out, and…nothing goes to plan.
It explores Seattle in the mid-aughts, identity, love, friendship, terminal illness, a woman’s relationship to work and men, and the subtle abuses she (un)knowingly accepts.
It is dark and light, heavy and light. At least, I hope it is.
Who I Wanna Meet Here
Even though I proudly talk about my English degree, it took me a long time to get brave enough to write for me. I do think there’s a witch wound there, and a lot of “starving artist” stories I consumed and believed. I’ve had to work hard to undo those.
I’m here to share my work, my misses, my wins, and to bond with others on the path. I’m here to connect with people who are choosing to be brave every day, and who believe it’s possible to make money from writing.
I want to cheer you all on as much as I share about my projects.
The Book That Made Me Brave
In the midst of slogging through the novel that’s now with its developmental editor, I sat at the same desk I’m sitting at now, attempting to meditate.
Instead of clearing my mind, a short, lyrical story dropped into it. The story was about a woman who resisted the waves of grief that hit her throughout the day.
Immediately, I knew this was the thing that I could publish and share. It felt…more possible than the longer piece, both in scope and effort.
I got it illustrated and laid out by an incredible artist in Colorado, and published it in 2024. Anyone who’s published a physical piece of art knows it’s not as simple as that, so I plan to go more in-depth about that project soon, too, but if you want to get acquainted with something I’ve written, this is the first thing.
It’s titled A Wave Called Grief. I’m really proud of it.
My “Niche”
I want to be clear that I have a hard time believing in niches in the constrictive sense.
However, I was told at one point that I write books “for big feelings and small humans” (my publishing house’s second book was a children’s book written by my son).
I’m learning a lot as I go, and currently have a children’s book inspired by my daughter watching me take my body back through fitness training :)) I’ll also share more about soon. I’m letting the stories flow through me and seeing where they all take us!
What’s cool, though, is that so far, each one has had a specific theme—or themes—that makes for relatively fun and easy marketing.
Subscribe so you don’t miss any part of the journey. I promise to make it worth your while.
For what it’s worth, too, I’ll give a lot away for free, but the best behind-the-scenes advice and tips will be reserved for paid subscribers. This is a way that I can pump money into my book projects and spread joy in the world.
Thank you for supporting it—however you choose and are able.