One bite at a time.

It might amaze you how many times a day I repeat this question and answer to myself. And yes, I ask and answer myself. Is that some kind of red flag? I think it might be. (Shoot, I just did it again.)

More question-and-answer with Allie, but first…

I’ve been thinking a lot about the timing of this newsletter—the fact that I send it out early on Friday mornings, that a lot of Substack newsletters go out on Friday mornings (or, at least, I get a lot of them at that time). It’s such a comforting, relaxing Friday ritual to open up my email, see my new newsletters in my inbox, and enjoy a cup of coffee while perusing them. The Friday morning newsletter wasn’t intentional when I started; it just sort of worked out that way. I didn’t do a lot of research on when the best time to send out newsletters would be. I didn’t even have a plan for what this space would look like. It just kind of morphed into this because I had things to say and a place to say them. And I’m so glad it did. Writing these thoughts is one of the best parts of my week.

All that is to say that I’m so glad to spend these Friday mornings with you. Thank you for hanging out with me each week, no matter what you’re drinking.

I’m so overwhelmed. (How’s that for a transition?) I don’t even know why, really. I’m doing a lot, but it’s not like I’m doing more than usual. This whole book publishing thing isn’t even new anymore. I have checklists! I have a planner! I have project notes sketched out from now until 2025!

I mean, sure, I have a full-time teaching job, two small kids, a proofreading gig on the side, Speech season is starting, midterm grades were just due, I’m in an evaluation cycle which means my boss is coming in to observe me a few times this semester and I have to answer a bunch of questions related to that, I’ve got two books and an audiobook to promote, and a new book to release in January. Oh, and I was supposed to run a half marathon the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but I might have to give that up because… when am I supposed to train? And did we mention the general existential dread of being an elder Millennial in 2023?

But I do all this stuff all the time. None of this is new. So what’s the big deal?

I think anyone can see what the big deal is. I’m beat. Any normal human with all of that on their plate would need to… get some of it off their plate. (I’m too tired for a good extension of that metaphor, y’all.) Or get a bigger plate. Except this is life, and there is no bigger plate. A bigger plate would mean more hours in the day, which simply doesn’t exist. And if it did, I would probably use those hours to sleep, not to do more things. Because I’m tired.

I wish I had the answer for how to successfully do All The Things. I don’t. There is at least one moment every day when I look at my to do list and my heart rate elevates just thinking about all the things on it. There’s at least one other moment every day when I internally (and sometimes externally) groan at a task I do not want to do that I’ve been putting off all day, and then proceed to put it off further.

But, in moments like these, I remind myself of something my coworker’s mom used to say: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

It’s a variation of the runner’s favorite phrase: “Run the mile you’re in.”

They’re both powerful reminders to stay present. Reminders that anxiety lives in the fear of the future, in the what ifs that lurk around the corner. Reminders that doing one small thing after one small thing after one small thing adds up to a really big, massive, important thing. That each big project is made up of smaller, bite-sized pieces.

After all, a half marathon is just a step after a step after a step.

A book is just a word after a word after a word.

But if you’re on step 5,000 and you’re thinking about how you’re going to get to step 20,000, you’ll panic.

If you’re on word 10,000 and you’re thinking about how you’re going to make it to 100,000, you’ll panic.

In moments like that, you’ve got to take it down a notch or ten. Focus on where you are right now. The next mile or chapter can’t come before you’ve finished the one you’re in, so finish it. Then move on to the next one. And before you know it, you’ve crossed the finish line, arms outstretched and a huge smile on your face.

Did I write this for you, dear reader? Yes. But I also wrote it for me. Because I’m overwhelmed. I’m looking at the amount of things I have on my plate and my heart rate is ticking up. My breathing is intensifying. My brow is furrowing. My brain is calculating all the possibilities for things to go wrong and wondering how much time it will all take. In short, I’m panicking.

There is no bigger plate. The only option is to clear it. But how can I possibly do that?

Easy.

One bite at a time.

The Write Place audiobook is in the world. The response so far has been great, and it makes my heart so happy. If you haven’t taken a listen yet, please do! There’s a giveaway on my Instagram, too, that a friend is hosting. Check it out!

The Write Choice edits are back from my editor. I’m plugging away at them, and I’m excited to add this last level of polish to the story and get it in ARC readers’ hands. Look for a cover reveal on November 14, with pre-orders and ARC sign-ups shortly after that.

I’m 24,000 words into my next book, a standalone that is not part of Leade Park. I had to shelve that so I could work on TWC edits, but I can’t wait to get back to it. These characters are hilarious and have so much heart. I think you’re going to love them!

Still haven’t been reading a ton, but this newsletter from Courtney Maum really got me thinking about Katie and her substance use disorder. As women, substance use looks different than it does for men, and I tried to be very mindful about how her problematic relationship with alcohol manifests in a subtle, yet realistic way. (I also have wonderful sensitivity readers to thank for their insights.)

In the newsletter, Courtney recommends the book Quit like a Woman by Holly Whitaker. I grabbed it from the library and started immediately. I meant it to be research about Katie, but it is a fascinating take on the alcohol industry and the hold it has on our lives. If you’re interested in this at all, you should check this book out. At the very least, check out Courtney’s newsletter. It’s a great article, and a wonderful newsletter overall.

Thanks for having coffee with me this morning, everyone. I truly mean it when I say I’m grateful that each and every one of you is on this wild ride with me. I hope your weekend is relaxing, your coffee is hot, and your next book is 5 stars.