Hi Friends,
A bit of a long one today because I’m feeling ranty.
As I write this, we’re closing in on the final day of February which, whether you prefer to think of it as “determination day” or “discouragement day,” (helpful article from Gretchen Rubin here) is when most resolutions finally kick the bucket.
Speaking for myself, I don’t even remember most of what I wrote down on January 1. Something about vegetables? window treatments? Finally getting around to that pile of clothes in the spare bedroom? Eh, whatever.
The one resolution I do remember making this year was to concentrate on the idea of “beginnings.” I wanted to commit to stronger starts to my classes, better mornings, and generally better beginning type things. It seemed like a great idea at the time, and I immediately implemented a few changes, like the lovely quotes at the top of my newsletters.
But, for whatever reason, it turns out that focusing on beginnings kind of freaks me out. They’re so stressful! Thinking about having a strong start to my classes adds so much pressure when I’m already walking in not knowing how many students will be absent or who’s in a good mood or if there’s gonna be gum on the underside of my desk.
I feel like I need a minute to even figure out what a strong start even MEANS on any particular day.
You know that saying, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”? When I think about it for more than 2 seconds, it sounds like a straight up curse.
First impressions? You know nothing about me and you’re already judging? Like, I literally have never met you before in my life and I’m supposed to somehow act the way you want me to? Like I should just be walking around in some sort of pleasing manner at all times in case I meet somebody new who’s important? Every day? Honestly, just thinking about it, I might never leave the house again. Most days I don’t even find time to blow dry my hair.
How can a person even exist thinking that at any moment a stranger might pop up and want to extract a good first impression? Who has time to worry about strangers when there are already so many people in your life who you want to give good 100th or 1,000thor 8,545,876th impression to? Because guess what else you never get a second chance to make — a 8,545,876th impression.
So I’ve decided I’m unresolving my beginnings resolution and reresolving to make more templates. Template emails, template meals, template ppts, the list goes on. In a way, a template is a kind of beginning, but without the pressure. And unlike beginnings, which have to be new every time, templates get better with every use.
And as for blow drying my hair? Maybe I’ll try again in 2025.
Reading: The It Girl by Ruth Ware. Right now I’m reading a lot of thrillers about writers or set on college campuses. (Recommend your favorites to me please, especially along the lines of I have Some Questions for You, Vladimir, and The Secret History.)
Watching: One Day on Netflix. This is a strong argument for the dose making the poison, because this show is excruciating in the most pleasurable way. All the pining! Definitely better not to watch too many in a row, though.
Listening to: The Postal Service, which came out during the prime of my pining for my now-husband. (don’t google how many years ago that was!)
Speaking of templates, this week I’ve been using Plottr to work on structuring a thriller I’m writing, and I’m really liking it.
For my novel, I’m following the Snowflake Method, which essentially starts with a one sentence summary, then builds up successively longer outlines of the book until you finally just fill in the connective tissue to have a complete book.
What I love about Plottr is that it contains the template for the Snowflake method -- and the Hero’s Journey, Romancing the Beat, 12 Chapter Mystery, and lots more – with the directions included right in the template, so all you have to do is write your 1 sentence, or 1 paragraph, character description or whatever, in over the top of the dummy language. It’s extremely helpful to have everything right there on one page instead a table full of physical guides and notebooks. (okay, yes I do still have Save the Cat, The Snowflake Method and Outlining Your Novel beside me right now, but the point is I don’t HAVE to, I just CHOOSE to.)
I’ve liked Plottr enough to sign up for their affiliate program, so if you want to check them out you can use my link: https://plottr.com/features/?ref=473 I’m not really worried about making money off this though, I’m honestly just recommending it because I like it. So, If you find a better deal without using my link then definitely take advantage of that instead.
Have a great week. Thanks for reading!
Kayleigh