My husband and I committed to having some brand of adventure each month in 2026. Thus far, we have visited a local arcade (and spent a small fortune playing skee-ball), attended a raucous musical at our favorite Seattle theater, enjoyed a peaceful weekend getaway in Port Gamble (lovely afternoon tea service included), and this month… we “did” the spring fair.
The Puyallup Fair is always something we enjoy (whether the spring or fall offering), and after attending many (many) times, we have created something of a “fair plan.” We park on someone’s lawn for $15, so we have a short walk to the gates. We get a scone immediately upon entry (this is a must). We then play some overpriced games (and usually win a plush that will inevitably end up in our next yard sale). Every trip to the fair then requires the consumption of barbecue, so we find the tastiest pulled pork and cornbread on offer, and we indulge in one of our food faves. We clean ourselves up, and then it’s off to visit the “hucksters,” usually finding some novelty item(s) we don’t need but definitely bring home anyway. Then we find our way to the animal barns. The horses and piglets are always our favorites, which is evidenced by the ridiculous number of photos we get of both. We usually end our time with a few more games (we particularly love the “try to toss the tiny ring onto the skinny neck of a bottle that is shoved against another bottle so tightly as to make it virtually impossible for the ring to land” one), because… dopamine hits. Then it’s back to the scone stand for a few more treats to take home, before hauling our aching backs and feet back to the car. In summary, it’s a pretty glorious time.
I find the longer I write, the more I establish a similar "plan" for my creative process. I start with a strong premise (a must for me), then I start to think about characters and plot points. I let the story flow in the ways that it wants to go, but then I circle back to ensure that I have hit the necessary story beats and have achieved a satisfying story arc. Sometimes the backstory and interiority come forth in my initial drafts, often times they emerge in an edit. When the story is done, the most important thing is that the reader is left with something meaningful, whether that is an emerging message or a compelling character reversal. Writing is not always easy, but reading a piece that I think will touch others is quite glorious (often more satisfying than the scone I have for breakfast the day after the fair):)
I hope you all have your own creative endeavors that bring you contentment and joy. If not, it's never too late to start!P.S. We also started our first vegetable garden (we'll see if that endeavor brings joy or crushing disappointment), and thus, we are currently accepting all the good thoughts/vibes/juju/prayers you have to spare.
What I’m Reading
Musical Chairs
By Amy Poeppel
I enjoyed this newest offering from Amy. The protagonist, Bridget, comes across as real and relatable - even while benefitting from generational wealth - no easy feat. And I absolutely love her intimate, platonic friendship with Will. I don't think there are enough representations of healthy, longterm male-female friendships, and I think this is a wonderful rendering. I did find myself a bit mired at times in all of the moving parts of the story (and honestly think this novel would have been improved with some trimming in parts - I am not sure we needed ALL of the myriad of characters - as some of them added little to the narrative). Still, I would be lying if I said I didn't quite enjoy this read. And I will certainly buy whatever Amy puts in the world next.
If you haven’t already read her books Small Admissions and Sweet Spot, they are similarly enjoyable reads.
https://bookshop.org/a/120532/9781501176418
[Also read this month: Cover Story, Maureen (Harold Fry #3),Raiders of the Lost Heart] [
Please note: The links for purchasing books are affiliate links and will offer me a small percentage of the purchase price if you choose to grab your copy of recommended books through their site. If you choose to utilize, thanks for the support!]
What are you reading and loving?
What I’m Watching
I love a well written television show! My husband and I just finished our fourth watch through of Ted Lasso (yes, FOUR). The show’s protagonist, Ted, is just… all the things. He is silly and compassionate and anxious and familiar and complex. He is the heart of the show, and his journey keeps you rapt. Additionally, the show takes on a lot of complicated but important issues with such care and tenderness (and just the right amount of humor). Though, fair warning, they do use the f-word A LOT (it is largely set amidst a professional soccer club in England after all). But if you can tolerate the profanity, this show will break and then mend your heart.
Oh, and on the movie front, have you seen Zootopia 2? I can’t believe Disney managed to create a sequel as good as the original (which I also LOVED).
Anything you’ve seen lately that I need to add to my queue?
What I’m Writing
I have spent much of this month continuing to edit short stories for publication. Most recently, I have been working on a piece inspired by a real-life seizure episode that changed the trajectory of my life. I hope to be able to share it with you all soon. Oh, and for those who are following along with my novel news, I had my first agent meeting this month. While it wasn’t ultimately the right fit, it was exciting to feel some sense of momentum. I am certainly accepting all of the hopeful thoughts/vibes/juju/prayers for the right doors to open (in addition to those for our little garden) – oh, and any agent or publisher referrals.
What’s Making Me Smile
I stumbled upon this delightful offering purely by accident, and I am officially obsessed. Just try not to smile!
https://youtube.com/shorts/SSJPvYy1d_E?si=5K5xVaF0dOtlRkBN
A Little Unsolicited Writing Advice
One of the first things I learned about craft when I started taking classes was PSYCHIC DISTANCE. This one craft concept drastically changed my writing for the better, and as I employed it more, I realized it’s no great secret. If you’ve done a lot of reading (or even movie watching), you’ve seen it utilized many times. You probably just didn’t have a frame for what you were reading/watching.
In short, when you are writing your stories, consider utilizing different levels of access to your characters for different reader impact/effect. For instance, start by giving the reader a zoomed out view of the world your characters inhabit (describe the timeframe, weather, trees). Then transition a little closer and take them into the action (describe what your character is doing in the scene – this is the level where most of your story will be written). Then zoom way in and offer them access to the characters interiority (describe what the character is thinking/feeling). And feel free to play with psychic distance throughout your scenes, zooming in and out to offer the reader a rich, engaging experience (without overdoing it).
The mistake new writers often make is telling an entire story at a mid-level of psychic distance. The character did this. And then they did that. And then they did this again. They never allow a broader view of the world nor an opportunity to get really close to the characters. That was where I found myself at the start of my writing journey, but I have since tried to discipline myself in the adding of these zoomed out (and zoomed in) components in my stories, and I think this practice has taken everything to the next level.
Try it out in your next story and let me know how it goes!
BONUS: A Random Fact About Me (For Fun?)
My family moved from suburban South Carolina to (very) rural Washington State when I was in high school. I had huge, permed hair, a collection of sweater vests, and a distinct Southern accent. To say that I did not fit in amongst all of the flannel would be an understatement. While I cannot recommend the experience, I do credit it with further developing my sense of humor):)
And for those of you who asked for photo evidence of my salsa dancing, I am sorry to report that it does not exist (at least not that I know of). However, I am including a photo of my time in Colombia (in coach/teacher versus dancer mode).
Thank you, friends, for joining me on this leg of my journey. If you have other bookish friends who might enjoy my newsletter content, please feel free to share. I would love to grow this little community!
And don’t forget to hit me up with some of your responses to posed questions. I really love hearing from you all!
Gina
ginahandley.com