Sunday Smatterings
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Happy Sunday, friends!
2020 keeps serving up the plot twists, doesn’t it? I’m telling you, if a writer were to pitch this story to an editor, they’d get shot down for being too melodramatic.
I can honestly say I have zero idea where we’re headed. That is, of course, the conundrum we all face—an uncertain future. I touched on the idea of personal earthquakes in the newsletter this month, and now I want to explore the idea of why the uncertainty we’re facing today is any different than the uncertainty we face any day. Since there is little to nothing we can ever do to anticipate the future, why does this particular moment in time feel so out of our control? Nothing is in our control. Basic certainties exist, obviously: the sun will rise and set, we will need sustenance and shelter, companionship and love. But as for the uncertainty of tomorrow? We’ve never really have any idea what’s going to happen next.
Perhaps it’s that we’re all in this together, and that’s why it feels so much bigger than our usual day to day lack of clairvoyance.
This is comforting to me. I hope it’s comforting to you.
I took a fun virtual writing class this week with several of my writing buddies, conducted by John Truby, entitled Why is There Philosophy in My Movie. It was all about the ways writers can use philosophical concepts to deepen their work. It spoke to me on many levels—me, the Plato devotee—and has given me all sorts of ideas about the new book.
It feels so funny to say that. I’ve just turned in my copyedits and already, I am off to the next idea. I have an opening for two characters and am deep diving into the third. I haven’t made any decisions yet about structure, or POV, or tense, but that will come. I’m feeling very blessed that I can step away from the nonsense of the real world to focus on my craft and characters. As awful as COVID has been, it’s given me a real sense of what’s vital and important to me, and that’s creation.
What have you learned about yourself since the pandemic started?
Onward!
ON WRITING: ASK US ANYTHING
I spend a lot of time talking with NYT bestselling author pals Patti Callahan Henry and Ariel Lawhon about the craft of writing, about theme and plots, and character development. We send each other articles, inspiration, encouragement…and questions. Lots of questions.
We realized that we each responded to the same question from different perspectives and personalities, influencing and deepening the answers with our varied outlooks.
And we thought — why not answer some of your questions?
So now we are starting a monthly ASK US ANYTHING ABOUT WRITING. Each of us will answer two questions every month in our newsletters.
Send your questions to jtellison@jtellison.com. To read all of the answers, make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter and then subscribe to Ariel and Patti’s newsletters to get their input along with mine!
THE LATEST ON THE INTERNET:
Banned Books To Read During Banned Books Week. Do you have a favorite banned book? Also… how crazy is it to ban books? I’ve never understood the concept.
22 Spooky New Books That Will Put You in a Halloween State of Mind. ‘Tis the season! What’s your favorite Halloween read?
Native American & Indigenous Peoples Literature Starter Guide. This is fantastic.
25 boarding school novels that are better than your class reunion. Thank you to Modern Mrs. Darcy for including GOOD GIRLS LIE!
A Wordless Way to Write a Novel. Brilliant! For those of us who love just the right emoji…
Rare books stolen in London heist found under floor in Romania. Amazing discovery!
A Cybersecurity Expert Explains What To Know If 'The Social Dilemma' Freaked You Out. Have you watched yet? What do you think?
Seven Medical Thrillers That Go Beyond the Emergency Room. What a great list.
The Power of the Reread. What books do you read again and again? I’ve been re-reading the Outlander series via audiobook and it is such a treat.
THIS SECRET THING by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
A deeply satisfying story of secrets, scandal, and the repercussions of the decisions we make, THIS SECRET THING is brimming with menace and hope, and showcases Whalen’s talent for bringing her multi-layered characters to life. An impressive page-turner with heart and soul.
What are you reading?
Phew. That’s it from me. Don’t forget to send in your burning questions for the On Writing newsletter, and I’ll see you next week!
Peace and hugs,
J.T.
