Kim Hooper's Blog, page 24

Weekly Roundup: December 18, 2020

Quote of the week:
“Writing has always been my sweetest companion, ever since I discovered it was a bridge between my overwhelming emotions and a world that didn’t seem built for them.” –Mari Andrew, Instagram

What I’m reading:
An Outsider’s Guide to Humans: What Science Taught Me About What We Do and Who We Are by Camilla Pang — will finish today
White Ivy by Susie Yang — will start today

What I’m listening to:
Notes on a Silencing: A Memoir by Lacy Crawford — just finished; so powerful
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans –just started
Griefcast episode #93: Zoe Clark-Coates from Saying Goodbye 

What I’m watching:
“The Flight Attendant” (HBO Max) — finished it; would recommend
“Murder on Middle Beach” (HBO Max) — good, even though questions loom
“Shameless” (Showtime) — final season is underway (I’ve been with this one since the beginning!)
“Couples Therapy: The COVID Special” (Showtime) — love this show

Writing news:
No big news this week. Just your usual reminders:

All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss is out on March 23 People Who Knew Me will be re-released on May 11 No Hiding in Boise will release on June 15

What I’m talking about:
Not much, honestly. I’ve been purposefully avoiding the news for the sake of my mental health. The COVID crisis is overwhelming. I’m so happy (and relieved) that vaccines are here and that healthcare workers are starting to get protection so they can keep doing their amazing jobs.

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
What is angioedema?

What I’m grateful for:
The amazing sunrises I’ve seen lately. There’s something so calming about Nature continuing to do her thing even when the world is going crazy. 

The post Weekly Roundup: December 18, 2020 appeared first on Fiction Writing Blog.

Weekly Roundup: December 11, 2020

Quote of the week:
“The pandemic has created a collective grief experience that we have not yet addressed as a nation (or as a world). I’m not sure we even have the right words to describe what it is that we’re going through. In order for us to move through this experience and find a place of healing, we need to address this, normalize the sadness and the pain that so many are feeling and create ways to support each other.” –Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider (in “‘We Are Uncomfortable Being Uncomfortable’: Grieving During COVID-19” by Jessica Gold)

What I’m reading:
An Outsider’s Guide to Humans: What Science Taught Me About What We Do and Who We Are by Camilla Pang

What I’m listening to:
Notes on a Silencing: A Memoir by Lacy Crawford
It’s a Wonderful Wife by Camille Pagan (Audible original short story)
“What’s Negative About Positivity?” — Terrible, Thanks for Asking podcast episode

What I’m watching:
“The Flight Attendant” (HBO Max)

Writing news:
All the Acorns on the Forest Floor was included in Reedsy’s list of Best Book Covers of 2020. I concur–it’s a beaut.

Reminders:

All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss is out on March 23 People Who Knew Me will be re-released on May 11 No Hiding in Boise will release on June 15

What I’m talking about:

How the COVID vaccine is GREAT, but won’t solve everything (read here): “At the current level of infection in the U.S. (about 200,000 confirmed new infections per day), a vaccine that is 95 percent effective — distributed at the expected pace — would still leave a terrible toll in the six months after it was introduced. Almost 10 million or so Americans would contract the virus, and more than 160,000 would die”How Trump passed on an opportunity to secure more Pfizer vaccines, so we are now in line behind other countriesThe long-awaited end of the line for Trump’s ridiculous efforts to overturn the election. The Supreme Court rejected an audacious lawsuit by Texas today. My god, is it January 20th yet?This piece, “Motherhood in America is a Multilevel Marketing Scheme” by Meg Conleyind: “Motherhood in America is a scam. We’re told if we work hard enough, raise our children well, and faithfully support the American dream, then we’ll end up on top. No one ever mentions how the hierarchy of success is shaped like a pyramid. A few mothers get to the top. They give TED Talks and write self-help books. But mostly, we’re the cracking base of a condemned structure. America has never really cared about mothers. If I wasn’t certain of this before, 2020 has made it abundantly clear. The pandemic hit mothers the hardest, yet no one came to help us. Instead, we’ve been asked to dig deeper, push ourselves, and invest more of ourselves in this ‘once in a lifetime opportunity'”

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
Catwalk collapse.

What I’m grateful for:
Healthcare workers. The ICU capacity in Southern California is at 6.2% as of today. Beds are filling up. Staff are overworked (or getting sick themselves). And yet we still have people up in arms about having to wear a mask over their dumb mouths. It must infuriate all the doctors and nurses out there who are trying to do their jobs. Someone I follow on social media said she tested positive for Covid this week. She is very diligent about always wearing a mask. The thing is, wearing a mask mostly protects others from you. If other people aren’t wearing a mask, you may be screwed.

America has always been lauded for its focus on individualism, and now we are seeing the dark side of that. We seem incapable of thinking as a group, for the group. It’s demoralizing and disheartening. I have been feeling depressed this week, and I know it’s because of this. I’m sad about the virus itself, but I’m sadder about what the virus is revealing about us as people.

The post Weekly Roundup: December 11, 2020 appeared first on Fiction Writing Blog.

Weekly Roundup: December 4, 2020

Quote of the week:
“When something important in your life ends, it’s like a monument has burned. Stop sifting: there’s no reconstructing it from ash. Stand in the space and see it — burnt black as it may be — as a site for building. There’s room for something else now — what? You decide. Keep moving.” —Maggie Smith

What I’m reading:
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman

What I’m listening to:
Father of the Rain by Lily King

What I’m watching:
“The Undoing” (HBO) — On episode 3; liking it

Writing news:
I’m excited to share the cover for the re-release of my first book, People Who Knew Me. This will be the first time you can get the book in paperback–yay! By popular demand, I’ve added a bonus chapter to the new edition.

Two other reminders:

All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss is out on March 23 My new novel, No Hiding in Boise, will release on June 15

What I’m talking about:

Governor Newsom’s announcement that regions of California will go into lockdown again once the ICU capacity is below 15%. The ICU capacity where I live is 20%Penguin Random House’s plan to buy Simon & Schuster. I’m very much against this. We need more publishers representing a variety of voices and stories. This megapublisher model just means we are going to see the same bestselling brand-name authors, with the occasional “new shiny object”People who still refuse to accept the election results (which will be considered final on Tuesday). Continuing to challenge the election is a threat to democracy itself. Are we going to do this with every election now? It casts a cloud over the entire election process which is the very foundation of democracy. It’s frustrating to me that people challenging the results think they are fighting for democracy. So much of the world is so backwards right now. Also, Trump raised more than $150 million appealing to false election claims. Do people think he’s going to use this money for anything but his own interests? At this point, I have one response: LOLStephen Colbert‘s 2-part special with Obama. They are two of my favorite men aliveJessica Valenti’s assertion that the US should be paying parents to stay home (not just during a pandemic, but always) (read here)All the grief that comes with 2020 (read here) 

Weirdest thing I googled this week: 
The history of model cars.

What I’m grateful for:
The holiday season. Despite all the upsetting things going on in the world, it’s impossible (for me) not to feel a little bit of joy this time of year. It’s especially fun because my daughter is 3 years old and thinks Christmas is magical. Whenever she sees lights, she gasps and says, “Oh. My. Gosh.” My husband went all out with decorating our house. We are “those people.”

The post Weekly Roundup: December 4, 2020 appeared first on Fiction Writing Blog.

Weekly Roundup: November 29

I usually do these on Fridays, but I was in a post-Thanksgiving fog on Friday, so here I am today.

Quote of the week:
“Becoming a mother has a way of coating your life with a thin layer of fear.” — Saumya Dave, Well-Behaved Indian Women

What I’m reading:
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman

What I’m listening to:
Long Bright River by Liz Moore

What I’m watching:
“Ratched” (Netflix) — If you liked “American Horror Story,” you’ll love this

Writing news:
Three books are coming! 

All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss is out on March 23 My first book, People Who Knew Me, will be re-released (with a new cover!) on May 12 Annnnd, my new one, No Hiding in Boise, will release on June 15!

What I’m talking about:
The only thing I’m really talking about is the rising Covid numbers and how baffled I am by people who continue to not give a f**k. I have gotten into a few “friendly arguments” about masks, which certain people consider an infringement on their freedom. Don’t you think being hooked up to a ventilator would be more of an infringement on your freedom? What about having long-term health effects because of the virus? I’ve heard some say, “People should only wear a mask if they are high-risk.” Two things: 1) Low-risk, healthy people can have major issues with Covid, which is something scientists are still trying to figure out; 2) You’re missing the other half of the equation–masks help protect OTHERS from YOU. I know of  someone who found out she had Covid when tested prior to a minor surgery. She didn’t show symptoms for SIX days after testing positive… so you might feel fine but still be contagious. I can’t tell if people are just uneducated, or if they truly lack empathy. Either way, it’s unsettling. 

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Golf balls with Trump’s face on them.” (Mom, don’t tell Dad. This may be a Christmas gift).

What I’m grateful for:
Science. I saw a guy at the park the other day with a shirt that said, “Facts don’t care about your feelings.” You can feel frustrated with Covid, but it’s still there. You can feel like climate change is a bunch of BS, but it’s still happening. Science doesn’t lie. And it’s as incredible as it is ruthless. We have two vaccines on the way, thanks to science. While it may seem like we’ve waited “a long time” for these vaccines, they are coming with record speed. I’m so grateful for the brains behind this massive feat.

The post Weekly Roundup: November 29 appeared first on Fiction Writing Blog.

The Benefits of Writing Even If You’re Not “A Writer”

Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

I’ve been thinking recently about how much writing has helped me cope during the pandemic, when so much feels out of control. Putting thoughts on paper, where I can see them, makes them feel more manageable. When they stay in my head too long, colliding with other thoughts, I start to go a little batty.

In the latest issue of Psychology Today, there is an article about how people deal with adversity (like losing a job, for example). One study involved participants who had recently been laid off. Half were assigned to write about “their deepest thoughts and feelings about getting laid off” for 30 minutes a day for 5 consecutive days. The other half were not given the writing assignment. Within days, the people in the first group reported feeling happier and healthier. Within 6 months, over half had new jobs (at higher pay), compared to only 20 percent of the participants in the second group. 

Why is writing like this helpful? Studies allude to several reasons. Usually, after a layoff (or, say, during a pandemic), people are somewhat frantic, trying to understand what happened and also plan for their next move. As the article says, writing enables people to “begin to organize and simplify their thoughts. Merely labeling and applying some structure to the experience can help us to understand and find some meaning.”

Further, several studies show that after writing, people ruminate less about upheavals, sleep better, are less distracted, and feel more emotionally stable. To put it simply: “Writing stills the mind.”

I was born an anxious type so it’s no wonder I found my way to writing. Writing has always served to organize and simplify my thoughts. It is, essentially, a coping mechanism. During the pandemic, I have been working on a novel, but I’ve also taken to “journaling” (in quotes because I don’t use an actual journal; I just send emails to myself). Just the act of writing out all my thoughts, which are often overwhelming in these crazy times, helps me feel less overwhelmed. I don’t need anyone to read the thoughts. I don’t even re-read them. I just get them out. 

In a way, writing is like meditation. And, like meditation, many people seem intimidated by the practice. They think there is a “right” way to do it when there really isn’t. You don’t have to be a Buddhist monk to meditate, and you don’t have to be a Writer to write. It’s one of the simplest activities there is and there are so many benefits. Scientists agree.

The post The Benefits of Writing Even If You’re Not “A Writer” appeared first on Fiction Writing Blog.

Weekly Roundup: November 20

Quote of the week:
“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” –Malorie Blackman

What I’m reading:
The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim

What I’m listening to:
Well-Behaved Indian Women by Saumya Dave

What I’m watching:
“The Queen’s Gambit” (Netflix). Lives up to the hype. Fantastic.
“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (Amazon Prime). Worth watching just for the Rudy Giuliani part.

Writing news:
Three books are coming! 

All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss is out on March 23 My first book, People Who Knew Me, will be re-released (with a new cover!) on May 12 Annnnd, my new one, No Hiding in Boise, will release on June 15!

What I’m talking about:

The rising Covid numbers–my county is back in the most restrictive purple tier–and the urgency for a vaccineRudy Giuliani’s hair dye running down his face. And I thought his press conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping was embarrassingThis essay: “Most men believe their workplace empowers women, according to a study. Their female counterparts don’t agree”Intriguing facts about female animals (read here)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Common ankle fractures.”

What I’m grateful for:
The fact that it’s Friday. My day job has been so busy and I’m wiped out. Here’s to the weekend! Also, happy birthday to one of my very best friends (you know who you are).

@turnerpub

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Weekly Roundup: November 13

Quote of the week:
“Writing is the antidote to confusion.” –James Clear

What I’m reading:
Memorial by Bryan Washington

What I’m listening to:
Well-Behaved Indian Women — Saumya Dave
And a few podcast episodes:
This American Life: Squeaker 
In Recovery: Don’t Read the Comments
Last Bad Day: Beyond the Bridge

What I’m watching:
“Fleabag” (Amazon Prime). I finished season 2 and I’m so sad it’s over. So well done.

Writing news:
Three books are coming! 

All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss is out on March 23 My first book, People Who Knew Me, will be re-released (with a new cover!) on May 12 Annnnd, my new one, No Hiding in Boise, will release on June 15!

What I’m talking about:

All the FIRSTS from this election season–the future looks brighter (read here)Trump’s refusal to concede the election because he’s a giant man-childHow 55% of white women voted for Trump–very disappointing (read here)Emily Harrington–the first woman to free-climb El Capitan in less than 24 hours (read here)Women continuing to leave the workforce (read here)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“How do lesbians define sex?”

What I’m grateful for:
A new President-elect. Anyone else still have an emotional hangover?

The post Weekly Roundup: November 13 appeared first on Fiction Writing Blog.

Weekly Roundup: November 6

Quote of the week:
“No one is going to take our democracy away from us. Not now, not ever. America has come too far, fought too many battles, and endured too much to let that happen.” –Joe Biden

What I’m reading:
Little Bee by Chris Cleave

What I’m listening to:
Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate

What I’m watching:
Way too much election coverage on CNN.
Also: “Fleabag” (Amazon Prime). I know I’m late to this particular party. It’s so awesome. I finished season 1 and am on to season 2.

Writing news:
Three books are coming! All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss is out on March 23. My first book, People Who Knew Me, will be re-released (with a new cover!) on May 12. Annnnd, my new novel will be coming out in June. I’m so excited to share the cover… Drum roll please…

What I’m talking about:
The election. Duh. 

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Movies during the summer of 2019.”

What I’m grateful for:
The majority of Americans choosing sanity over sociopath. No matter how the final electoral votes go, Biden has won the popular vote by about FOUR MILLION votes. I am still disheartened that so many people chose Trump (this article resonated with me), but I am also hopeful for the future.

The post Weekly Roundup: November 6 appeared first on Fiction Writing Blog.

Weekly Roundup: October 30

Quote of the week:
“Be ‘selectively ignorant.’ Ignore topics that drain your attention. Unfollow people that drain your energy. Abandon projects that drain your time. Do not keep up with it all. The more selectively ignorant you become, the more broadly knowledgeable you can be.” —James Clear

(This quote reminds me of the below comic)

What I’m reading:
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler (will finish it tonight; really liked this one)

What I’m listening to:
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
Pod Save America episode with Joe Biden (loved his focus on climate change)

What I’m watching:
“60 Minutes” episode with Trump and Biden interviews. Still can’t believe Trump just walked out. Very Presidential.
“Unsolved Mysteries” (Netflix) — getting into the new episodes
“Totally Under Control” (Hulu) — turned this off after 20 minutes because it was making me anxious
“Tales of the City” (Netflix) — just watched 1 episode so far; on the fence about continuing
“The Staircase” (Netflix) — 2 episodes in; how is there enough content for 10 episodes?

Writing news:

Today is the second book birthday for Cherry Blossoms. I’m giving away a copy–leave a comment on Instagram if you want to enter the little contestWe just launched AlltheLoveAfterLoss.com, the website to accompany the book (out March 23). Follow us on Twitter and Instagram  (@allthelovetalk)People Who Knew Me will be re-released on May 12 (new cover reveal coming soon!)My next novel is coming in summer (June 15!). I’ll share the title and cover soon:

What I’m talking about:

The Dodgers World Series win! This might be the high point of 2020The surge in coronavirus cases (in sum: ughhhhhhhhh) How other countries are handling COVID (France and Germany just reinstituted national lockdowns; Canada seems to be doing pretty well, mostly because they don’t think masks are stupid)Miles Taylor (former chief of staff at the Dept. of Homeland Security) confessing to being the author of a 2018 anonymous Times Op-Ed describing a “resistance” in the Trump White HouseThe upcoming election and my associated insomnia

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Famous female mathematicians.”

What I’m grateful for:
41 trips around the sun. My birthday was on Tuesday and I’m just so happy to be healthy. I love my family. I love writing. I love my life. My heart is full.

The post Weekly Roundup: October 30 appeared first on Fiction Writing Blog.

Weekly Roundup: October 23

Quote:
“I would beg to disagree, but begging disagrees with me” –Fiona Apple (this line from her latest album keeps going through my head as I run into political disagreements)

What I’m reading:
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

Some good essays/articles:
“The Problem with Vegetarianism” — read this; it’s not what you think
“Why did hundreds of thousands of women drop out of the work force?” — long, heavy sigh
“Parenting was never meant to be this isolating” — another sigh
“Mothers are the ‘shock absorbers’ of our society” — yep

What I’m listening to:
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

What I’m watching:
“Catastrophe” (Amazon Prime)–finished Season 1; cute
“The Way I See It” (MSNBC) — documentary about Whitehouse photographer Pete Souza; I cried multiple times

Writing news:

All the Acorns on the Forest Floor is OUT!All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss will be out on March 23. We are super active on Twitter and Instagram so follow us there (@allthelovetalk)People Who Knew Me will be re-released on May 12 (new cover reveal coming soon!)My next novel has a release date–June 15! I just saw the final cover and I love it. Will share soon

What I’m talking about:

Jeffrey Toobin masturbating on a Zoom call (read )–COME ON, DUDEAmy Coney Barrett and why Trump is so obsessed with getting her on the Supreme Court (this article might be on to something)Pandemic mental health–a recent study showed that depression rates spiked 3x higher during the pandemic, and the CDC says 40% of American adults reported problems with anxiety, depression, or substance abuse in late JuneFeeling disillusioned with my country. Even if Biden wins, it is so upsetting to see the civil unrest. So many of us are so far apart on many issues

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Transporting pets to New Zealand.” Let’s just say I have a contingency plan.

What I’m grateful for:
The reader love for All the Acorns on the Forest Floor. I do read the reviews, and I’m so touched that people are connecting with this book.

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