The Sunday Circle is the weekly check-in where I ask the creative-types who follow this blog to weigh in about their goals, inspirations, and challenges for the coming week. The logic behind it can be found here. Want to be involved? It’s easy – just answer three questions in the comments or on your own blog (with a link in the comments here, so that everyone can find them).
After that, throw some thoughts around about other people’s projects, ask questions if you’re so inclined. Be supportive above all.
Then show up again next Sunday when the circle updates next, letting us know how you did on your weekly project and what you’ve got coming down the pipe in the coming week (if you’d like to part of the circle, without subscribing to the rest of the blog, you can sign-up for reminders via email here).
MY CHECK-IN
What am I working on this week?
This week I’m revising the first 5,000 words of my thesis novella, do the paperwork for the American tax system that will allow me to get Brain Jar’s books into a bunch of the sales systems, setting up the options that will allow me to sell books here on the site, and putting together a plan for the first chapter of the theory side of my thesis.
What’s inspiring me this week?
I’m doing a lot of novella reading at the moment, nailing down the structure now that my brain seems to default to a 50,000 words narrative instead of 25,000. This week’s was Cassandra Khaw’s Hammers On Bone, which is a really nice blend of hardboiled detective tropes and the weirder end of Lovecraft’s cannon. The voice and the metaphors in this one are great, and I can see why a bunch of friends rave about Khaw’s work.
Incidentally, it’s currently available as part of an ebook four-pack with three over Lovecraftian themed novellas from Tor.com. I’ve read Agents of Dreamland already, ’cause Kiernan is one of my must-buy authors and the book is outstanding, and I’m halfway through The Ballad of Black Tom and enjoying it immensely.
What action do I need to take?
Man, so many things. I sat down yesterday morning and put together a list of 34 things that need to be done before the end of October just so I don’t miss something. The biggest task is going through all my bookshelves and sorting out books that can go into storage, books that are going into storage as “unread,” and books that are definitely staying in the apartment as I start making room for my significant other to move in. A lot of the choices are about figuring out what research/reference books I’ll need when, based on the projects planned over the next year or two.
I’ve ended up taking a short, unscheduled break from writing newsletters over the last fourteen days. Regular GenrePunk Ninja transmissions will resume
Like many of you, I have good weeks and bad weeks on the writing front. This week has been rocky, and if
Welcome to GenrePunk Ninja supplemental, where I occasionally post foundational essays written before I launched the GenrePunk Ninja newsletter, especially if they’re
13 Responses
Sorting out books is so difficult! Good luck with getting through that task. I’m guessing it might be the worst of the 34 you have on your October list (followed by doing tax paperwork).
There’s at least three important phone calls on the list, one of which involves the IRS. The books aren’t so bad 🙂
Here’s my Sunday Circle.
You can do it! You and Marc:)
All the best with the paperwork and the IRS! I’m looking forward to life freeing up a bit so I can ask you more about the press!
What am I working on this week?
-The novella edits, which are pinching my brain. I’ve either over- or under-worked this one, and I don’t know which, and just need to get the current pass FINISHED so I can put it in front of other eyes.
– Art show preparation, still. I’m in a state of loosely contained panic, in accordance with tradition. I can expect and plan for it now, and I’m pretty sure it’s Pavlovian, but I haven’t succeeded in unlearning it yet.
– A few commissions.
My dad’s in respite care on the other side of town for a few weeks, which means every two or three days I’m driving an hour each way to visit him, plus a few hours of visiting and reading Kij Johnson’s The River Bank out loud. All of which is very pleasant, and I don’t begrudge it at all, but it’s affected my planning and since I fly out in 12 days there isn’t a lot to play with.
What’s inspiring me this week?
– Jedediah Berry’s The Manual of Detection, which is just so charming, with its accidental agency detective in a nameless city dealing with surreal and dream-laden past cases. So far it feels like a mix of Michael Ende’s Momo and GK Chesterton’s The Man Who Was Thursday.
– I’m itching to edit a few other projects – Karina just got back to me with Very Useful Comments on a first draft of one novel, and I’ve got another just sitting there waiting for the novella to be done – and it’s driving me up the wall. More so.
– … I’m more panicked than inspired, I think.
What action do I need to take?
I’m currently pondering a fit of hysterics. But mostly: be opportunistic about time, remind myself I enjoy the process when I’m not giving myself ulcers.
All the best with the stress management! Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate (and a lot of fun, good stuff, too!).
My (mental health councilor) mother gave me the advice this past week to periodically pause throughout the day and take just one or two deep breaths, fix posture if need be, and try to release tension wherever it’s being carried (for me, usually between my shoulders or in my face). Kind of keeps the anxiety from piling up too much too fast and starts building those healthy, calming mental pathways during tense times. I’ve found it quite helpful at times!
(Loved The Man Who Was Thursday! I’ll have to check out The Manual of Detection!)
Well, hysterics is an option I suppose! But enjoying the process is probably a better one 🙂
Hope you can keep on top of everything and get through the work.
Update: I got the art to the framer. I now feel like I’ve used up all my adrenaline, and am much calmer (although perhaps I shouldn’t be!). Several people who have lived with me during previous World Fantasy art show preparation have been laughing at me over the internet.
@Peter: Best of luck with the tax code stuff–buh. No fun. But hooray for awesome relationship milestone! ^_^
Here’s my Sunday (Monday) Circle!
The link doesn’t work! https://maggiedot.wordpress.com/2017/10/15/the-sunday-circle-better-late-than-never/
The masks are so much fun!
All the best with your villain.
I’m interested in how you end up tracking the editing process? It’s something I’ve been struggling with, too: until I get momentum going, it helps to at least see process on a chart, or a list, but if it isn’t obviously quantifiable…
HUH! That’s the second time that’s happened. It looked okay when I pasted it in, but somethings squiffy! Ah well. Let’s try this one.^_^
Sunday Circle Link Attempt 2