Lexical Gap No. 52: Kakothēres
June 2024 summary
How are we halfway through 2024 already? How? I feel as though I have been simultaneously incredibly productive and not productive at all.
The first half of June was spent furiously polishing GUARDIANS 3 and now it’s in. The nature of publishing schedules means that I’m already thinking about book 4 in my series when only the first is out, all of which contributes to the feeling that I have been both very productive and not productive enough this year.
And now I have a little bit of breathing room before diving into the finale (!!!!!) of the Guardians of Dawn series, so the vast majority of my free time has been spent replaying Dragon Age: Inquisition in preparation for Dragon Age: The Veilguard when not preparing for my first taekwondo tournament. A lot of other work stuff unrelated to publishing has also been happening, which is keeping my attention, and my fall looks to be pretty stacked with travel and other plans. So I’m going to take this as my sign to enjoy my summer vacation while it lasts.
In this issue
1. JJ’s magical world
2. Lexical gap
3. Events and appearances
4. This creative life
5. The Morning Realms Dispatch
6. What I’m reading
7. What I’m watching
8. Other things of note
lexical gap: kakothēres 🧩
Growing up in a place where the weather was essentially perfect 85% of the year (Los Angeles), I never had to give things like seasons a second thought, but I used to think I handled heat pretty well. And to some extent, I do think I tolerate heat reasonably well, but what I can’t handle at all is humidity. I’m the sort of person who will sweat at the drop of a hat, so southern summers are now spent glistening with a constant sheen.
events and appearances 📅
I will be at the Columbus Book Festival July 13th & 14th! I will be on a few panels and will be doing a signing. I hope to see some of you there!
Claiming Space: Disability Representation on the Page
Across genres and audiences, these writers advocate for destigmatizing mental health and physical disabilities in the stories they tell.
WHEN: Saturday, July 13th at 10AM
WHERE: Meeting Room 2B at the Main Library
Teen Fantasy
From gentle adventures to epic clashes of good vs. evil, these stories overflow with fantasy favorites. Stepmothers, magic schools, and mysterious toadstools abound!
WHEN: Sunday, July 14th at 1:30PM
WHERE: Author Stage 1 at Topiary Park
this creative life ✍🏻
Every book I write feels like a fight to make the process easier on myself, and yet, every book I write also feels like I’ve learned nothing from my previous attempts. I’m in the fallow period between books, the time when I refill creative wells and replenish the brain cells I’ve burnt, but I can’t help but look ahead to when I’ll be eyeballs deep in drafting again. It never ceases to both infuriate and amaze me that writing is work, and that labor and tedium and effort are all part of it. Creativity is easy; writing is hard. I want writing to be easy, and it never is.
In an effort to alleviate the difficulty, I’ve started journaling regularly again. Awareness and mindfulness is not only being in the present, but observing myself. I’m both a prolific and inconstant journal writer; I sometimes go for months without opening my notebook, and others I write everyday for weeks. My handwriting deteriorates, and then the small muscles get used to it. Life is cyclical, seasonal, even if capitalism tries to convince me otherwise.
the morning realms dispatch 🌞
AHHH I can’t believe we’re almost at the release of AMI! My publisher is running a preorder campaign for all those who’ve purchased the books! In addition to a copy of the book, you’ll receive:
🌱 A Zhara sticker
🌱 An Ami sticker
🌱 A signed bookplate from yours truly
This is for US and CAN only. While supplies last!
what i’m reading 📖
[Redacted] by [Redacted]. Secrets, sorry!
what i’m watching 📺
The Acolyte. I will admit I was lukewarm on this show in the beginning. I love the Star Wars universe dearly, but frankly there’s just been such a flood of content in the past several years that my attention and affection have been so divided as to be practically nonexistent. Still, I adore Lee Jung-jae1 and always appreciate seeing Manny Jacinto’s cheekbones (and biceps) onscreen.
other things of note 💾
Van der Linden, Tom. “The Death of Cinematic Curiosity.” Like Stories of Old. YouTube, Jun 2024.
Until next time!
사랑해,
And fondly remember when he used to be a 90s kdrama heartthrob.