following the heat

I was recently talking to a group of writers about managing multiple projects, and the consensus was to follow the heat. The idea is don’t force yourself to work on something when you’re not feeling it. Go where the energy is. 

As I mentioned earlier this month, I’ve been in a slump. So I’m following the heat — and right now, that’s music. 

Aside from my stint in a short-lived garage band in high school, and some unfortunate nights of karaoke, I have no performing background. But a week ago, as I belted out a song I love, it hit me how much joy I get from singing. What if I joined a band? I checked online listings and made a few inquiries. 

I found a local musician who was looking for a singer and lyricist. I sent a vocal recording, which they loved. And this week we’ve been collaborating on a song — they wrote the music, I wrote the lyrics — and I’ll record the vocals this weekend. The musician wants to write and record an album together. 

If this becomes a thing, I’ll need to learn to balance my writing with my music, but for now, I’m having fun. And isn’t that how creating should be?

Reading Recommendations

Online: I love this sharp flash essay by Chrissy Martin published by The Cincinnati Review. 

Books: 

Recently (re)read: Coco Picard’s The Healing Circle is a special novel (and feels extra special to me because I first read it after it won Red Hen Press Women’s Prose Award, but before it had a cover). It’s an astute meditation on pain, living, and dying.

Currently reading: The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras, which is a dazzling memoir about reclaiming her family’s otherworldly legacy. I’m not very far, but I’m totally captivated. 

Up next: I’ve been looking forward to A Calm and Normal Heart, a short story collection by Chelsea T. Hicks, and hope to dive in soon. 

In an effort to follow the heat, I’m ditching my original plan to send this newsletter on the first of the month. So until next time, I’m wishing you the very best. <3