Wearing Different Hats

To be a writer today, you must learn to wear different hats. It’s not only about honing your craft, which, besides writing, also includes lots of reading and editing.

Successful writers must also know how to market their work, understand the business side of writing, and identify ways to fund their art. They need to find their tribe (a term I prefer to ‘network’ and ‘audience building’), learn how to share their work, and be an active contributing member of the community, all while trying to keep the lights on at home.

Add any additional family commitments to the mix, and it’s a lot to handle all at once. For anybody. Even for the most seasoned.

This week felt like there were lots to juggle between trying to move my novel manuscript forward, finishing the edits of a short story I wrote, starting on another one, going to visit my family on a different continent, and preparing the groundwork to launch some writing services. Not to mention trying to buy a house for the first time.

As I write this, I realize how utterly ridiculous my expectations are. It’s so risible that I can’t hold back my laughter. And yet, this is not the first time I tell myself I need everything done RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But like we say in French, chaque chose a son temps or everything in its own time.

There are many hats to wear, but you can’t wear more than one at a time. At least not well.

And that’s something I need to learn time and time again.

There will always be a task lingering on the numerous lists I keep, whether it be a book to read, admin stuff to do, things to learn, people to contact, bathrooms to clean, etc.

You get the point.

Lists grow and shrink, but they don’t really end.

Ever.

And that is actually a good thing.

It means there are interesting things awaiting me and an abundance of future material to write about. I just have to remember: not everything needs to be done right now.

When I was thinking about all the hats I tried juggling this week, I had a flashback of a book I loved as a child: Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina.

While I couldn’t recall the story anymore, I remembered loving the author’s illustrations, and that there was a certain absurdity to the book, which made me ask lots of questions as a child. For example, how does one keep a stack of caps balanced on their head? Or why did the monkeys steal them and where did they come from?

I reread the book this week. The story and illustration are still as silly and delightful as I remembered. Clearly, those monkeys are not native to the countryside where the story takes place.

I think it would be fun to write a fan version where there is a speculative element or some magical realism added to explain the monkeys’ presence in the story.

What do you think? Should I try? Even better, want to try it together?

A few other things worth sharing:

• I watched Hit the Road while flying over the Atlantic this week. It’s an absurdly joyous and heartbreaking Iranian film. I already plan on re-watching it on my trip home. It’s that good. But you don’t have to take my word for it. (Five stars from The Guardian.)
• Cue LeVar Burton. I can’t wait to read books to my new nephew. If you’re a parent and need a break from reading the same book out loud, YouTube has a plethora of modern-day Reading Rainbow channels for you. I like the narrator’s voice on this one called Read Aloud Childrens (sic) Books and Fun Stuff.
• I’ve always had an aversion to social media, something I’m trying to reconcile with since a large part of the writing community lives there. Learning about BookTok has piqued my interest, but don’t expect to find me on TikTok just yet.
• And…

🎉 It’s been a month! 🎉

To quote my friends after they just had their first child, “It’s been a month, and we managed to keep it alive!”

I started this newsletter just over a month ago. I purposely shared it with a select special few (you!) to build the courage and routine necessary to keep it going. If you like it so far, please consider liking posts and sharing with others you know!

If there are things you would like to read about or have suggestions for improvements, please let me know! I’m also building my stamina for rejection and perceived failures.

Ultimately, I just want to become a writer ordinaire, if I may (partially) steal Peter Hsu’s words. Ok, I’ll go for the full steal: I want to be an author ordinaire.

So thank you in advance for your readership, cheerleading, and kind words on how to improve. 📖 📣💛

I hope you’re all enjoying the middle of September. 🍂

Shit.

That means the 21st is next week! I’m going to rewatch all of Demi Adejuyigbe’s Earth Wind Fire videos while waiting for the 2022 edition to drop.

Happy writing, happy creating!

G.G. Law