Reading and Writing Update
📚 ✍️My book research trip, second draft plans, and my summer reading list
I just got back from a two-week visit to Cape Cod, which was lovely, but my re-entry back to regular life has been a little…wobbly.
I love a good reset, so I thought this post would be a good opportunity to get back on track, with a focus on two of my favorite areas of life: reading and writing.
🤗 I hope it might also be a centering moment for you. If there’s an area in your life that has you feeling wobbly, I’m sending you a hug!
Writing Update
🗺️ Research Trip
I’ll start with the good stuff. During our Cape Cod visit, I had the opportunity to do some in-person book research which really made it feel like my story was coming to life.
I started with a visit to the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth, where Mary, one of the kind Board Members, gave me and my mom a private tour of the Bangs-Hallet House, their primary museum. After our tour, we got to chat with Liz, the office manager, who answered my many questions and sparked some new ideas too.
A few days later, my parents, my husband, and I ventured to the harbor (hah-bah if you’re from Massachusetts) for a spin on The Lobster Roll, a lunch/dinner cruise experience.
This was another setting I needed to experience first-hand, despite my propensity for seasickness. Also, I don’t like lobster. 😂
But we survived! We had the most beautiful day, the water was pretty calm, and my motion-sickness bands and a stiff Bloody Mary kept me afloat. I even ate some of the lobster roll, all in the name of research.
✍️ Second Draft Plans
With that research as kind of an intermezzo to my writing process, I’m now pivoting back to the work part as I start on the second draft.
This is where I’m kind of floundering, but here’s my plan:
1. Do a read-through of the printed copy of my first draft from beginning to end. I’m marking up notes on the pages while also using my Notes app to keep track of big-picture changes.
2. Next, write and edit 1-2 chapters a day, every weekday that I’m not traveling, now through the beginning of August. There are currently 39 chapters in my book, plus an epilogue. This editing plan is ambitious, but so am I. We’ll see how it goes!
Having a tracking system was so helpful and motivating to me during Draft 1, so I want to lean into that. Here’s the little progress chart/schedule I set up for myself in Notion.
Summer Reading Plans
As much as I have planner-type-A tendencies, when it comes to reading, I’m a runaway train. I read multiple books at once, in different formats, in different genres, and jump from one to another based on mood.
However, my TBR (to be read) pile is beginning to tower, and I’m feeling the need to, at the very least, get organized about my summer reading plans. While I’m never going to hold myself to a schedule, I love having a catalog of my options.
This section was inspired by
, one of my favorite new Substacks. You can catch her beautiful summer reading issue here.
📚 Physical Books (my favorite format!)
This is a collection of books I’ve recently purchased or have been gifted:
Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards. I’m re-reading this childhood favorite for our June book club! Join for free here.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Just finished this one!
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
Veridian Sterling Fakes It by Jennifer Gooch Hummer, gifted by Wunderkind PR
Trust by Hernan Diaz. I stole this one off of my Dad’s bookshelf in Cape Cod.
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture by Tom Hanks, a gift from my sister!
🏫 Library Books in my queue
My library catalog is always my first stop and lately I’ve taken to requesting books that the library purchase, my new addiction. Here’s what I’m looking forward to receiving:
One Night on the Island by Josie Silver. I just picked this one up from the library after seeing it recommended by
, the writer behind another of my new favorite Substacks!The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard. One of the girls in my writing group recommended this after I mentioned how much I love time-travel stories.
. I’m first in line for this book that I requested from the library a couple of months ago, written by one of my favorite podcasters and Substack writers.The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin. Emily got me with Something Borrowed so long ago, and I’ve read every single one of her books since!
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. I keep seeing this on everyone’s lists, including everyone at the library. I’m 16th in the queue; we’ll see if this one comes up before the summer ends!
📱On my Kindle
This is a new category for me. I don’t love reading on devices but I’ve been making exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings. Also not my typical style, but I heard about this series on a podcast, added it to my Libby queue, and I’m currently indulging.
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley. Love, love, love Clare Pooley and was so excited that I had the opportunity to request an advanced reader copy of her latest from NetGalley.
A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner. A Cape Cod story! I also have this one requested from NetGalley, to be released later this summer.
🎧 On Audible
I had four credits sitting in my bank, so I decided to pick four titles, and then put my account on hold for the rest of the summer while I catch up. Here’s what I chose:
Challenger by Adam Higginbotham. My dad read this when I was in Cape Cod and it sounded so compelling.
Chasing Beauty by Natalie Dykstra. A story about Isabella Stewart Gardner. Thought this might also lend me some Massachusetts/museum inspiration.
Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino. Didn’t know this book existed, but when I saw it I was intrigued!
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. I’m a sucker for books about creativity and I saw this book on many lists at the beginning of the year and I’m excited to see if it lives up to the hype.
🙋🏻♀️ Requested from the Library
Because this list isn’t already long enough, I also have requests that our library purchase the following, which are currently not in their system:
One Star Romance by Laura Hankin
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
Too ambitious again? We’ll see!
Tell me about some of the books you’re most excited to read in the comments!
✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts
Do you feel stuck in the middle of a project? Plan an inspiration or research excursion!
Create a chart or gold-star style system to track the progress for one of your projects.
Make a list of books, movies, or shows you’d like to enjoy this summer.
☀️ Five good things
When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!
Five good things that happened this week:
With my 41st birthday on the horizon, I’m doubling down on my efforts to take care of my skin. This week, I went in for a consultation at a med spa, booked some upcoming treatments, and started a new daily/nightly regimen. The act of taking care of yourself is powerful, and I feel like it shifted my week in such a positive way. I’ll share more in next week’s Substack.
I bought some peonies and created a pretty flower arrangement to place behind my desk. All week, I’ve been spinning around in my chair to peek at how beautiful they are.
After two years (not an exaggeration) of procrastination, I finally emptied my dresser drawers, cleaned out what I no longer needed, and refolded everything Marie Kondo style.
My husband and I enjoyed another round of playing Yahtzee on our back porch, this time with some homemade guacamole and veggies.
I loved watching this video on Homeworthy, featuring Chelsea Fagan, who wrote A Perfect Vintage, one of my favorite reads from last summer. In it, you get a peek at her elegant apartment, and she shows you how to throw a no-fuss happy hour gathering.
💬 Share your intention
Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.
✨ Question of the week: Pretend you’re visiting a bookstore with a friend who offers to buy you a new read. What book would you choose?
Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.
Michelle
You are too kind, Michelle! I hope you enjoy One Night on the Island as much as I did ◡̈
Love how ambitious your reading list is. Why ever not, right? I'm so inspired by your research trip, too...and in awe that you tried the lobster roll. I'm not sure I could, although I am now quite delighted to find out that I am not the only person on the planet who does not have a taste for it.