CHINESE MEDICINE, COMPANION PODS, AND IN-FLIGHT SYNERGY

LIFE OF A BOOKMAN

Bookman: 1. a person who has a love of books and especially of reading. 2. a person who is involved in the writing, publishing, or selling of books. Oh, hi that's me!!

Chinese Medicine for the Heart: Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See was a great balm to the world burning down around us. Set in 15th-century China, it's a story so full that I immediately understood why my bestie handed me her copy with an emphatic 'you need to read this.' Chinese medicine and cultural traditions of that time were V interesting and V new to me. Where I really locked into the story though was the way she captured the raw, messy beauty of female friendships – like those moments we rarely talk about – when your heart swells with pride for your friend's success while simultaneously nursing your own wounds, when jealousy tangles with genuine joy, when celebration crashes into loss. Think of your closest friendships - now imagine it spanning decades, defying social restrictions, and literally saving lives. We could only be so lucky!! AND, that's Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See!!! It's a good one for your nightstand :)

What I'm writing: I finally cracked a tricky scene in my novel Evangeline. She walks into what she thinks is a high-stakes client meeting in 1899 NYC, but instead finds herself trapped by spiritualists who want her to stop practicing astrology. It unlocked something deeper about her relationship with her dead father and why what she wants most will be such an uphill battle. Loveeeee when a plot twist (and an added scene highly recommended by my writing coach to go in between what was already written, oof) helps me understand my character even better and create even more understanding, intrigue and tension for the reader. Team, I'm 15% the way into this new manuscript!!! And it's only Feb 5th!!

WOMEN’S STUDIES

What gets passed down becomes our history. The messages keep rolling in about DAISY and they all start the same way: 'I couldn't stop reading.' From the woman who missed her bedtime by three hours, to another who devoured it on a cross-continent flight, to the reader who cancelled her Sunday plans to finish 'just one more chapter' (and then another, and another). The DAISY moment that has truly tickled me was two badass women on a flight from Montgomery to Dallas who do not know each other struck up a conversation. As they jump from topic to topic, amazing woman number 1 starts telling amazing woman number 2 about DAISY. To which amazing woman number 2 says, “Wait, are you talking about Maxie's McCoy.” I CANNOT DEAL!!!!!!! And then of course i got a photo of them both and my heart is so full. These are the moments, all of your notes, that keep me absolutely buzzing. It's so fun to relive Daisy's journey through your eyes – from Southern belle to movement builder, her refusal to shrink herself despite society's expectations...and hearing that it's resonating. Right now. Badly. We can all relate with her struggles - but also with her hope, with her friendship, with the fierce joy of a woman who decided to create something bigger than herself.

PASS IT ON

Stories are heirlooms. Here's one of mine:

OK so I fell down the Severance rabbit hole this week (plus its companion podcast featuring Ben Stiller and Adam Scott) even though I tried to get into it a few years ago. It's super sci-fiey. Super weird. But also incredible?? It nails how we're tempted to treat work-life 'balance' as if it's the balance of two different lives. Which is why balance makes no sense and it's all about integration of both those parts of ourselves, which includes the pain and loss, the joy and fun that happen in either area. That's wholeness. Weird show and also so great. My real surprise and delight was falling in love with the companion podcast where they talk about each episode and the creative process – from set design, to writing the show, to the actor's choices. Creativity is a life force, and we all need to harness that right now more than ever.

Woman on xx