QOTW: 24 - 30 NOVEMBER 2024
Image description: rusty blue car with green vines.
Sunday
But I do at least make a point of playing with language in everything I write.
It’s almost a rebellion, really, to insist that language can do more than simply communicate. That to do language can mean more than just saying words. It’s a defiance, in a sense, to insist on caring about words and to stubbornly love the thrill of the chase, the chase after writing that wrings you out and leaves you in a heap of dishwater and memories in the basin of that old porcelain farm sink where you once stood to rinse sour milk from plastic sippy cups, where you stared into space toward the far end of the porch and the horizon of another marriage, another life, and grieved the old self whose next chapters you would never write.
from
Writing in the Dark, Be Brave and Write Beautifully.Monday
When I’m glued to my phone doom-scrolling the news, it’s almost impossible for me to creatively imagine, but anytime I’ve got my feet in the grass I open in a new way. Even in a city, you can notice the way your body changes with the seasons. You can mirror the earth’s steady and persistent pace. Save the seeds of an apple. Grow veggies in plant pots in the windowsill of your apartment. Feed a stranger. Drive a neighbor through the sunshine to a doctor’s appointment in another state. Never forget how alone we are not. The moss, the mountains, the redwood tree, the marigold, the mourning dove calling for her love’s return—are our allies. Every natural thing in this world is invested in the peace of this world. All that is good and gracious whispers, “We are with you.”
Gibson, Post-Election Letter to a Friend, What Do We Do Now?Tuesday
Here are 6 of my favorite boundary-setting one-liners that politely but firmly tell people to mind their own business:
I’m happy with my decisions.
It’s ok that you don’t understand.
I’m not interested in discussing this.
My choices here don’t impact you.
I have about 2 minutes left in this conversation and then i’m going to excuse myself.
I can send you some resources if you’d like to learn more about this, but I’m going to step away from this conversation now.
anti-capitalist coach Nora Rahamian, One-Sentence Boundaries in her newsletter.
Wednesday
Cynically, we might say that "If you're not anxious and depressed, you're not paying attention."
What we need to find — each of us — is a community of people who are "paying attention".
Tom Sherwood, in an e-mail.
Thursday
It’s okay to burn bridges. For much of my writing career, I was so afraid to burn bridges I behaved in ways I regret. I let people walk all over me, and I didn't stand up for myself. Don't be so afraid of burning bridges that you refrain from speaking out on issues that are important to you or that you allow others to harm, use, or take advantage of you. Your writing career is not worth more than your dignity, humanity, or core values.
, It’s okay to burn bridgesWords Count in her wonderful newsletter, Send My Love to Anyone.
Friday
I own my body: not the state, not the street, and not the home. I own my body: not the temple, not the church, not the mosque, nor any other house of worship. I own my body.
Mona Eltahawy , Feminist Giant, Daily Dose
Saturday
It doesn’t matter whether a British mystery is "cozy" or dark; whenever someone is murdered, at some point a character will say "I'll put the kettle on."
If you have inspiring and intriguing quotes to share, please reach out. I’d love to include them here.
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