You know we all live through you vicariously, living the writer's life and living in a city like New Orleans (ok, maybe that part's just me, but still...). To us, you do it all. (insert heart emoji here). And we even get pictures!! Just keep doing what you're doing. May 2026 be even more prosperous in your eyes.
Thank you for always being such an inspiration! Even if that was the only thing you accomplished this year, and it certainly is not, it is a big f'ing deal! I accomplished a good amount in my writing life this year, but no where near enough. It's okay though. I give myself grace. I have two active kids and work and a lot of other stuff going on. We do what what we can do, right! There were good things this year, but on the whole, I for one am ready to bid 2025 farewell, and hope that 2026 ushers in better times for all of us!
I can’t find the exact post, but I know you’ve posted about reading a bunch lately and the importance of reading to writing. Have you ever been in a reading dry spell? I find myself there, though I’m still writing a bunch. I just read much more slowly and finish fewer books lately. It can’t just be the books…I guess I could blame social media, exhaustion from chasing after a toddler and also trying to work and write each day. Anywho, just wondering if you’ve ever experienced this with reading, and what you did? Like I said, I’m still writing, but I want to keep exposing myself to new ideas through books, and also I like reading for the sake of reading.
I definitely think people can get burned out on reading if they're not reading the right book at the moment. For sure social media can take up time (leave your phone in the other room before bedtime!), the toddler most of all. I'm wondering if reading shorter books might be good for you, books that you know you can start and easily finish and feel less threatening but you'll also like you've accomplished something by the time you're done with it. I'm going to post a note asking for recommendations for great books under 250 pages to see if we can get any suggestions. I actually enjoy reading plays as a solution to this sometimes. Have you ever read the plays of Annie Baker for example? They're all pretty short and funny and thoughtful and weird and interesting. Or you can commit to reading a few poems in the day. Or listen to an audiobook in the car? Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. We all have downtimes with all aspects of our work.
That makes perfect sense. Pre-toddler, I wrote novels. Now I’m writing short stories. Why not read short too? I’m excited for everyone’s recommendations. Thanks!
We Gen-Xers will often talk about how John Hughes movies infused our younger years and for sure I liked those movies then. But big chunks of them have not aged well and I don’t often rewatch them anymore. But what has aged well as the others movies that marked my early adulthood, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Spinal Tap, Stand By Me to name but a few. And they have all stood the test of time. They were such disparate collection of films, it’s hard to imagine the same person behind them but wow, his movies are everywhere in my life and forever will be.
Jamie,
You know we all live through you vicariously, living the writer's life and living in a city like New Orleans (ok, maybe that part's just me, but still...). To us, you do it all. (insert heart emoji here). And we even get pictures!! Just keep doing what you're doing. May 2026 be even more prosperous in your eyes.
“Being someone who regularly writes is a big fucking deal.” Is going in my irregularly kept commonplace journal. Thank you so much.
I wrote that down too! Isn't it a great reminder?
It makes me smile every time I think about it.
❤️
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much for your letters of encouragement and inspiration! I always look forward to reading them!
Glad to hear that Linda!
Thank you for always being such an inspiration! Even if that was the only thing you accomplished this year, and it certainly is not, it is a big f'ing deal! I accomplished a good amount in my writing life this year, but no where near enough. It's okay though. I give myself grace. I have two active kids and work and a lot of other stuff going on. We do what what we can do, right! There were good things this year, but on the whole, I for one am ready to bid 2025 farewell, and hope that 2026 ushers in better times for all of us!
🤞🤞🤞
Yes, we certainly did something, didn't we?
Thank you for your continuing encouragement to everyone! Happy 2026!
I can’t find the exact post, but I know you’ve posted about reading a bunch lately and the importance of reading to writing. Have you ever been in a reading dry spell? I find myself there, though I’m still writing a bunch. I just read much more slowly and finish fewer books lately. It can’t just be the books…I guess I could blame social media, exhaustion from chasing after a toddler and also trying to work and write each day. Anywho, just wondering if you’ve ever experienced this with reading, and what you did? Like I said, I’m still writing, but I want to keep exposing myself to new ideas through books, and also I like reading for the sake of reading.
I definitely think people can get burned out on reading if they're not reading the right book at the moment. For sure social media can take up time (leave your phone in the other room before bedtime!), the toddler most of all. I'm wondering if reading shorter books might be good for you, books that you know you can start and easily finish and feel less threatening but you'll also like you've accomplished something by the time you're done with it. I'm going to post a note asking for recommendations for great books under 250 pages to see if we can get any suggestions. I actually enjoy reading plays as a solution to this sometimes. Have you ever read the plays of Annie Baker for example? They're all pretty short and funny and thoughtful and weird and interesting. Or you can commit to reading a few poems in the day. Or listen to an audiobook in the car? Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. We all have downtimes with all aspects of our work.
That makes perfect sense. Pre-toddler, I wrote novels. Now I’m writing short stories. Why not read short too? I’m excited for everyone’s recommendations. Thanks!
Here's the note, there's already some comments, check back later too! https://substack.com/@1000wordsofsummer/note/c-189878885?utm_source=activity_item
1000 words of summer brought me back to my writing self. Very grateful to you and your team. Thank you.
I'm so glad, Stephanie!
Thank you for making a difference in my world!
I appreciate you saying that, Denise!
We Gen-Xers will often talk about how John Hughes movies infused our younger years and for sure I liked those movies then. But big chunks of them have not aged well and I don’t often rewatch them anymore. But what has aged well as the others movies that marked my early adulthood, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Spinal Tap, Stand By Me to name but a few. And they have all stood the test of time. They were such disparate collection of films, it’s hard to imagine the same person behind them but wow, his movies are everywhere in my life and forever will be.