
Did you know that the Writers Institute has a private group on Facebook? It’s a place where you can share your writing experiences, seek recommendations, and find support and community to help you with your personal writing goals. (Want to join the group? Request to join via the link or email us at wi@projectwritenow.org!) This month, we asked WI Facebook group members what was feeding their creative souls.
Here’s what they are reading, listening to, watching, eating, and more!
May 2021:
What we’re reading …
Vivian DeRosa: “I just finished reading Plain Bad Heroines, by Emily M. Danforth. It’s a book about a movie being made about a book which is about a book. I swear it’s not as confusing as it sounds. Here’s another way to put it: it’s about a 1902 haunted school for girls, a secret sapphic book club, the mysterious deaths that forced the school to close, and, a century later, a horror film adaptation about the story starring “celesbians.” (Lesbian celebrities.) This book was spooky and queer and just plain fun. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get lost into a novel’s world. Reading it gave me the same joy that reading as a kid did. I’m always looking for books like that.”
Listening to …
Lisa SoFranko: “Listening to Just Break Up—a fun podcast hosted by two people, one being Sierra Demulder, one of my favorite poets. Just Break Up is not led by experts, but instead by people just like their listeners who are trying to do what they call ‘head and heart work’ on themselves so they can be their best when it comes to relationships (romantic, sexual, and otherwise). I can’t recommend a specific episode as each one will hit listeners differently depending on his or her situation at the time. It’s really fun and introspective. The hosts often disagree in a way that speaks to listeners who fall on either side of a situation.”
Watching …
Lisa Hartsgrove: “I have a lot of trouble falling asleep at night, which ultimately affects my creativity (or lack thereof) the next day. Recently, I discovered this new show on Netflix: Headspace: Guide to Sleep. It’s a show that exists to help you fall asleep. For someone like me who has that bad habit of always needing the TV on at night, this is the ultimate show to fall asleep with. I have found myself falling asleep much earlier and sleeping much better since I started it. HIGHLY recommend!”
Eating …
Lisa Taggart: “When I snack, I love those little Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough chunks. They taste like the raw cookie dough children were forbidden to eat. The peanut butter enhances the taste and it’s perfect because they are bite-sized and soft. They are my perfect mid-afternoon snack or late-night favorite. When I am lucky enough to find them in stock, I buy like four bags!”
Miscellaneous …
Lizbeth Finn: “I am obsessed with the multi-universe theory and am currently writing a TV pilot about it. My ‘research’ includes watching multiverse TV shows/movies and reading multiverse books. I’m halfway through the novel The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. It is a page-turner, completely up my alley. I’m hoping they adapt the book into a series and not a movie. And if a genie could grant me one wish, it would be to write that series. That’s how obsessed I am.”
(We are also obsessed with the fact that we have THREE Lisas in the list above!)
What are you obsessed with this month? We’d like to know! Email your response to wi@projectwritenow.org for a chance to appear in an upcoming column!