Cool Nights, Crisp Leaves, and Subversive Joy

Hi Friends, fancy seeing you here! 

It's finally autumn and please someone tell me that I'm not the only one who's more than happy about that. I don't know about you, but when the temperature finally leaves the 80s and I can start wearing my longer pants and breaking out the sweaters, it just brings me peace. Since we moved, neither my husband nor I have the same amount of closet space that we did in NE Philly. It's about the only thing we have less of. But because there's less room, I've been thinking about how to maximize my sweater space. God knows I have a bunch (but can definitely use more). I don't really like hanging my sweaters up on hangers, they get those weird shoulder nipples, so I prefer to fold them and have them tucked away. The problem is, our dresser and chest of drawers is already full. I need to get my hands on a few more sweater cubbies that can hang in a closet, and I'll take my t-shirts and put them elsewhere for the chilly seasons. 

Another thing that happens during the cooler months is that I find myself more creative; it's definitely easier for me to settle in and write if I can do it with a cup of tea, an autumnal scented candle and a stack of notebooks. I've got a few projects that I hope to make some real headway on over the next few months. 

Speaking of projects; in my last two posts, I talked about a new project, one that I describe as 'gay kid at conservative Christian high school goes on to be on the bake off.' I'm very proud to say that it is 100% completed. Soon I'll be announcing titles and a cover reveal so watch my socials for that. I can promise you it'll be in your hands before the end of the year! 

With that story done, it gives me the bandwidth for my other projects—even if the puppy takes up a lot of that bandwidth. I've got three pretty major new projects I'm working on; one that's just cute, one that really makes me think (and I hope it will make you think too), and one that's a cozy murder mystery. 

Also, am I the only one who laughs a little at the concept of 'cozy murder?' I mean, I get it, it's all about the vibe and definitely not gritty (looking judgingly at US murder mystery shows) but calling murder cozy always feels odd.

I've also lately been feeling like I should revisit some of the ideas that I've let languish for a few years. I've got so many ideas that I've shelved over the years and a few seem to be calling out again.

With all of these projects, I can't pretend that my excitement isn't tempered with being a bit overwhelmed. It can be easy just think "Oh God what do I work on?" And the answer to that is: whatever moves me. I make no secret that I've got literally dozens of stories rattling around. There are gigabytes of notes on my computer and I've got a stack of pocket notebooks that are filled with ideas, quotes for characters, plot points, all kinds of stuff like that—so I've got no shortages of things to work on.  

Being creative lately has felt scary lately, but it's also felt like a directive. We're in a weird and scary time for creatives. Historically, creative people, the artists, the writers, and musicians, are those who've led critiqued attacks on our fundamental rights. It has also meant that they are among the first to get attacked. When you challenge power, that power gets turned on you. It has, however, been those critiques and commentaries that inspire others. At a time when creatives are being driven from their media, like Colbert and Kimmel, it's more important than ever in our lives, that creatives get to work. 

Art, whatever form that might take, has always been the soul of society. It reveals, most honestly, who we are as humans. Humans yearn for love, life, joy, and freedom. Art reveals both what those look like, and what they're up against. In some ways, through detailing who we are, we draw roadmaps to those things we want; it reminds us that life is a constant state of change, of advancement. That's why art challenges authoritarians and the status quo, it serves to remind them, and all of us, that this is but a stop along the way, that striving for joy subverts oppression, that love undermines authority, and life, when truly lived, struggles against and breaks out from chains. 

That's not to say that it's not terrifying, but creation in general is terrifying. It should be. It should challenge people. Hell, the most fluffy things out there should challenge someone somewhere. So now is the time for creatives to get to work. 

That doesn't mean writing like Alexander Hamilton or Thomas Paine. Not everyone can put ink to page and write "if there be trouble, let it be in my day that my child might have peace." Even if that is fucking brilliant. 

Art with subjects of joy and love and all the wonderful things of life can be just as subversive as the Federalist Papers. It reminds people that joy does exist, and that it can be attained.

Joy comes in many forms. It can be peaceful, quiet nights by yourself, or it can be raucous parties with two hundred of your most far flung friends. It can be laying back in bed for a lie in and a book, or it can be acrobatic love-making. It can be a run in a park and a glass of cold water, or it can be a sumptuous meal and a spectacular bottle of wine. The point is joy is all around us, it pushes against pain and paves over it. It breaks down divisions and divisiveness and balms the soul. So document it. Take pictures, journal, write a song. Show your joy. Unless it's sex... then at least make people pay to see that. (Kidding, mostly.) Find joy, love and peace in those around you who support and love you.

Fight oppression with freedom. Fight hatred with love. Fight anger with joy. But fight.

Fight like hell. 

I'm going to fight by spending time with my friends and husband, by playing with my puppy, by enjoying good food and drink, by writing gay shit. I'm going to subvert pain but being and sharing joy. 

So let's break out those sweaters, and fight. Share joy, share love. 

And remember:

You are seen. You are loved. You matter.