Welcome to the first Soft Hobby check-in! Wednesday feels like a good day - maybe we’ll make the weekly check-ins happen on Wednesdays. I’m still feeling it out.
Remember this is your space too, so feel free to comment on the post or reply to this email and let me know what you’re reading, writing, or hobbying :)
3 things I’m reading:
Noted by Jillian Hess is one of the best newsletters I’ve ever read. The recent post on Jonathan Larson’s notes and life was incredibly engaging.
I’m reading Slave Old Man (1996) by Patrick Chamoiseau. I’ve barely made it through the translator’s note, so no opinions on this one yet. I’ll get back to you.
I’m reading Enterprise: The First Adventure (1986) by Vonda McIntyre. I was excited to read this because McIntyre is an established SFF author with great creds (I love Dreamsnake), so I hoped that this would be an actual novel and not one of a million stupid low-effort franchise tie-ins. I was right to hope! It’s pretty good and she seems to really understand how to write the characters, especially Spock - and I think he’s a pretty tough one to write. I’m about halfway through this and am enjoying it.
3 things I’m writing:
This newsletter. It counts <3
I’m about 10 pages into an urban fantasy short story that I’ve been working on for over a year. I’m blocked, mostly out of fear, and I’m not feeling good about it. Send unstuck vibes please.
I just got a rejection for an erotica piece I submitted under a pseud, and it was the only place I found to submit that piece to. I have to jump on Chill Subs and look for more markets that accept explicit work under 1500 words - there are not that many, unfortunately.
3 soft hobbies:
I picked up an animal coloring book from the art store and have been using it with Crayola markers while watching tv/movies. It’s relaxing, satisfying, and puts me in touch with the little me who loved coloring (didn’t everyone?). Also gives me something to do with my hands, which I always need when watching stuff. Does anyone else dislike “adult” coloring books? Don’t make coloring hard. I’m doing it to empty my brain!!
Yoga every morning for 10-15 minutes. I’ve been doing this for about a year and can’t imagine being without it now.
Al’s in the U-District sells random loose Pokemon cards for 50cents each and I bought about 10. I put them in a really cute and small Pikachu binder that Ethan gave me for Christmas. I didn’t take a photo but I’ll put one up eventually! YES COLLECTING COUNTS AS A HOBBY