The beauty and power of little steps
Plus: Phenomenal books, articles, things to listen to and watch.
Ryan sent me this cute little cartoon last night and I immediately knew I had to share it with all of you (which I think was his plan all along!)
I want to write in praise of little steps, little actions in a week, a month, an era in which it seems impossible to move the needle on so many things.
This week, one participant in the Pitching Power Hour was facing a fierce deadline but she showed up and got a pitch out – a pitch she said she never would have gotten out otherwise because it would have been so easy to give in to the pressing need to write.
Another participant couldn’t even stay for the entire hour but she wanted to show up to say hi and promise me that she WOULD send a pitch – she even vowed to send me an email at the end of the day with an update. And she did. ANNNNNNDDDDDD…… The editor said yes!
I took the time to update my pitch tracking sheet and to refresh three old pitches and send them out to new editors for consideration. Now, when I look at my spreadsheet, I realize I actually have sent out a lot of pitches this year and I was feeling behind for no reason at all. That small moment of organization shifted my perspective.
In the past, I’ve been enthusiastic about nose-to-the-grindstone, chug-the-espresso days when I get ten pitches out. I love the momentum and satisfaction of a super-charged day. Our industry certainly reinforces the feeling that we always need to hustle, we can never adapt to a slower pace but I’m seeing just the opposite this month. Writers are doing just fine by taking small steps, slow steps, steps that happen to fit in with their deadlines, their health, their lives. The news is frantic, our industry is wobbly, but we can be steady and sedate.
Reminder: There’s no newsletter next week, as it’s a long weekend in Canada. I wish you a Valentine’s Day and weekend that’s filled with love!
The next Pitching Power Hour is Wednesday, March 5, at 11:00 AM EST. Paid members, mark your calendars!
Wonderful reads, listens, shows
How much do you remember from any given school day when you were eight years old? How much would you remember if John Lennon visited your school? This beautifully written essay is such a comforting, gentle read about a brief moment in time for child and superstar.
I love this piece about public transportation in Switzerland, especially the Postbus! I live in Ottawa, a city whose public transit system has long stopped being a joke and is now more aptly described as a tragedy, so I found this very intriguing.
The Repair Shop is a British TV series that shows craftspeople being crafty, mending heirlooms and special objects. It’s been described as “A heartwarming antidote to throwaway culture” and it’s just outrageously cozy.
What’s the link between the “clean” makeup trend and the alt-right? I didn’t think there was one. The most recent episode of A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein, entitled How Conservatism Infiltrated Pop Culture, proves otherwise and it’s fascinating and entertaining. Come for a savage take down of fake “old money” social media content, stay for the Kylie Jenner slaughter which dissects her pivot from appropriating Black culture to “glass skin pilates princess”.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: Dystopian fiction isn’t my usual jam but this story of three intertwined storylines after a global disaster has stayed with me for weeks. Gorgeous writing. Perhaps not the best book to have started in January but, hey, in for a penny, in for a pound.
A Killing in Costumes by Zac Bissonnette: Okay, this sweet, cozy mystery that’s set in a Hollywood memorabilia shop is not that good. But hear me out! My book club friends all agreed that if you want something very light and not at all draining in these truly distressing times, this is the fluffy book for you (especially if you’re keen on movie history). It’s the anti-Station Eleven.
This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs: A one-hit-wonder musician finds her footing, her voice, and a hunky English professor. Delightful.
Pain and Prejudice: A Call To Arms for Women and Their Bodies by Gabrielle Jackson. Enraging and empowering. One fact that I can’t shake: For women in Britain, endometriosis is about as prevalent as diabetes.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley: Delicious disruption and a body or two at the opening of a posh resort with a mysterious past. Apparently this genre is called “folk horror mystery” and I’m here for it.
See you all in two weeks!
Vanessa
PS: Don’t forget, all subscribers have access to these great freebies.
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