My Brain Is Not the Boss of Me

5 things I want to share with you

Photo by Kaboompics.com

I meant to get this to you on Wednesday. (It’s Friday.)

I had most of it written; in fact, I really only needed to write this first little bit of text. And yet. And yet. There was always a reason not to.

There were dishes to do. The dog was barking. I’d recorded something on TV. I needed to send an email. I was too cold. I was hungry. I was too hot. Too full. Too tired. Too dumb. Too fat. Too everything.

Anything and everything can serve as a distraction when the truth is that you’re not sure that the words you want to put on the page are worth saying, worth sharing, or that you are worth saying and sharing them.

But here’s what I want to say:

If we can acknowledge that the primitive part of our brain is doing what it is built to do - protect us from vulnerability - then we can step around it and get to work.

Don’t fight it. Don’t argue with it. Don’t try to conquer it.

Those words are the same words that told our ancestors to stay in the cave, away from danger. Our brains have just started using new words.

Just let it be there, and step around it.

It’s part of you, but it’s not the boss of you.

This week I’m sharing some things that have brought me joy over the past month. But first…

On the first Saturday of every month, we gather on Zoom for an hour and tackle a topic related to First Draft Craft. Why? Because while most things can be fixed in revision, there are some skills and strategies that are helpful to have from the get-go.

The next one is on February 1, 2025 at 10am Pacific. Topic: Character Descriptions and Details. I hope you’ll join me! Click here to learn more.

Without further ado, here are five things I want to share with you this week:

📖 What I'm reading:

Yellowface, by R.F. Kuang, which I cannot get enough of! It is a brutal satire of the publishing industry and an exploration of cultural appropriation, professional envy, and social media takedowns. I desperately wish I had time to just sit and read it in one go.

I also recently finished Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and The Wedding People by Alison Espach, both of which felt like a warm hug, as well as several advance reader copies (ARCs) sent to the store by publishers. Good books are on the horizon!

📚From the bookstore:

Here are your independent bookstore bestsellers this week. »

For reference, the ABA bestsellers are based on actual sales from independent bookstores across the country (vs. the NYT lists, which are compiled in a dark room by elves).

And here’s what’s on my Staff Pick Shelf at the store right now!

📺 What I'm watching:

We just finished Season 2 of Silo (Apple TV). Frankly, I lost interest mid-season, but the finale roped me right back in and now I can’t wait for Season 3!

Here are some more shows I’ve enjoyed recently:

Bad Sisters, Season 2 (Apple TV)
Shrinking, Season 2 (Apple TV)
The Pitt (Max)
Say Nothing (Hulu)

We’re also watching Dexter: Origin Story (Showtime) and I’m reserving judgment at the moment, but I will say that having Michael C. Hall’s voice in my life again is *chef’s kiss*.

🎧 What I'm listening to:

Beach Read by Emily Henry, narrated by the audio goddess Julia Whelan

This is my current dance-party-in-the-kitchen-when-no-one-is-home song.

✍️ Around Writing Town:

My first-ever published flash fiction is available today! I’m very excited for this new chapter in my writing journey. Click here to read it! (Trigger warning: alludes to sexual assault.)

My friend and fellow coach Julie Artz is bringing back her annual Critique Partner Meet Cute just in time for Valentine’s Day! Need a partner to share your work with? Click here to find your perfect match!

Finally, from me to you: 💗

Your story will only get written if you write it. Notice your fear and just let it be. It’s not telling you the truth. You can ignore it and write anyway, and everything will be fine.

You’ve got this.

Warmly,
Stephanie

P.S. I’ll be here when you’re ready.

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