Mid-Season Break

Ok cut, that's a wrap.

Last episode we reached the end of Act 1, which feels like a good place to take a beat. And I didn’t even plan for it to coincide with the Writers Guide of America Strike, but it does give me pause and gratitude for the privilege to write this project as a hobby rather than rely on it as a source of income.

But on that note, my side hustle season that does pay will kick off this weekend, and if it’s anything like last year, the balance between Side Slice and Main Thing was a challenge and left little room for this Secret Third Thing. However! Two activities will happen behind the scenes in any spare time I manage to scrape together:

1. Refine and bolt onto Act 1. Again, each episode so far is but a mere “story slice,” and there’s a ton of detail missing, especially at the beginning. If you’ve been following along and you got to the end of Act 1 like “um, wait, what and who?” not your fault. More to come.

2. I have a much bigger vision for Bonesick as a THING thing. This involves analog, tactile, hold-in-your-hand material. Not a traditionally published book, but more lo-fi zine appeal with a hi-fi crafted experience. I’m thinking little bits and pieces physically tucked into pages and hidden in pockets that act as clues to fill out the story: correspondences, artifacts, mementos, that sort of thing. And you know who recently did something like this? I swear I’m not copping the idea because of him, but if I were, this man is my ultimate hero and muse: Mr. JJ Abrams, master of easter eggs (a la Lost, Alias, Felicity, Cloverfield, The Force Awakens, et al). He created the book S. with Doug Dorst.

I hope to pop in here from time to time with thoughts and ideas and drawings of Toby, but if it’s rare, forgive me. And thank you for being my little “Test Kitchen” of sorts for the past year plus. Your eyeballs are coveted pieces of genetic material in this content-heavy world we live in. I hope you’ll return here again when I do too. My side hustle season winds down in early fall, and that’s where I’ll pick up again. Hey, it’s just like the cadence of network TV in the old days. Speaking of which…

A final note on the strike.

Again, today’s news gives me pause. Writers everywhere often get the shit end of the deal. I follow far too many incredible Substack writers to be able to financially support them all. My heart hurts and I wish I could, but for now, the very least I can do is tag and recommend them below in case something about the description catches your eye. Writing is a craft that rarely gets its dollar’s worth. More eyes can help.

Out of the Blue

by Mari Andrew | A Potpourri of Musetry
The highlight of my current life phase is reading anything and everything by Mari Andrew. She interprets the smallest of nuances around her and turns them into breathtaking moments of clarity and creativity. She's tapped into the undercurrent of our hidden foundational architecture as humans, and it's like I get a secret code word to get a quick peek every time she posts. 11/10 definitely recommend.

Things That Don't Suck

by Andrea Gibson | Spoken Word Poet
I’m actually not one for poetry, so when I do stumble on a poet who rips my heart out so I can physically see that it’s a living beating thing, I pay absolute attention. Andrea’s work is beyond mortal. I could lock myself in a room for months just to pour over their past work. My faith in humanity is rescued every time Andrea performs a piece for us muggles.

Wandering the Grey

by Tobi Ogunnaike | Quit Big Tech for Sabbatical Life
Every piece Tobi writes makes me think, makes me want to join the discussion. I love his luscious way of describing his experiences and the corners his brain is willing to sniff. It’s a lovely little breather from the humdrum. For those looking for that sabbatical – literally or figuratively – when I tuck in for a Tobi read, I feel like I’m on sabbatical myself!

Rusty’s Electric Dreams ⚡

by Rusty Blazenhoff | Curated Links to the Weird
Do you love to spelunk into the wild and weird corners of the internet? Rusty's your guide. Every time I bring up a funky factoid at a gathering, I guarantee I got it from this publication. Also: Marshmallow Fluff.

Corie Feiner

| Yoga Poet
[Wait, TWO poets on this list? Maybe I love poetry after all!]
Like lyrics to music—Corie's poetic interpretations of yoga poses have gifted me with another delicious layer to my own at-home practice. "I could have become a harp today, but that is not my song" still sticks with me when I attempt Bow Pose and remember that, while it's important to dream, it's just as poignant to embody the human we are today.

Snacks

by Justine Doiron | Chefery Magic
I follow a lot of food people on the socials, but Snacks is the only one I obsess over so much that I need the feed in my inbox too. Justine's recipes are as elegant as they are approachable. I kinda hate cooking, but I do it for Snacks.

Draw or Die

by D.J. Coffman | The Tony Robbins of Drawing
Draw or Die is an empowering read for anyone who needs a swift kick in the creative ass. Bonesick literally started because I got introduced into D.J.'s world. Read this one and you might get out of your funk and tumble into your own Next Drawing Thing.

FFOREST

| Philosophy for Better
A quick morning dose of fresh air packed into a 1-2-3 punch of philosophical musing, quirky illustration, and hip tune. The perfect combo to start your day. Plus, there’s the “Friday Field Guide “which invites guest writers to introduce you to their little corner of the world.

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Ok signing off for now, but here’s a little hint of what’s to come for Major Arcana Tarot Card No. 8 … Until next time, my friends!