Summer Newsletter

In the Ellipsis…

A curated list of things to boost your mood and inspire creativity.

A Summer Break

If I were an essayist, there would be a lot to unpack from July. I came home from vacation with themes like coincidence, closure, clarity.

But I’m a fiction writer, so all I unpacked was my suitcase. Those themes will just have to find their way into true totally made-up stories about real people who don’t exist at all.

I committed to a proper “vacation” in July to reset my brain and regroup with family and friends. It was exactly what I needed.

(Unpack gratitude here.)

Now, I have to confess: I did sneak away one day to do some in-person research for a film project. (Raise your hand if you think it’s fun to explore the cold dark basement of a Gilded Era mansion during your time off. I can’t be the only one.)

Does it count as “working on vacation,” when you love the work so much?

The heart wants what it wants.

love, Suzanne

There are a lot of memories in this place and now there are even more.

WATCH

Turning Red | Disney +

On the flight home from vacation, I clicked on this Pixar movie to see if it would be something my sensitive 8-year-old boy would be willing to watch. But this movie is not for 8-year-old boys.

It’s for women over 40.

Turning Red is a poignant comedy about the weird and wonderful beginning of “womanhood” and the friendships that celebrate the weird and wonderful girls we truly are.

Watch the Trailer

LISTEN

Brunch and Other Obligations Playlist | Spotify

I dropped in (via zoom) to a book club in Texas where a lovely reader told me she makes a monthly playlist for her book club. What a great idea!

She said this month’s playlist was easy because there are so many songs mentioned in Brunch and Other Obligations.

I didn’t realize it before, but this book has a soundtrack. Now you can hear it on Spotify!

Listen

GO

(Vicarious?) Travel and Experiences

A new segment this month: places to go and things to experience.

And if you can’t go in person, this is an opportunity to enjoy an adventure through the eyes of someone who describes it well.

My friend Yvonne is a writer and hiker who does the kind of things I will not do (like sleep outdoors). I am glad she loves doing these things because I love hearing about it.

Learn more about her Yosemite hiking trek in her travel piece on Weekend Sherpa.

Well told and beautifully photographed… and now I don’t have to sleep outdoors.

Check this out