Newsletter 13: June-ish

"June" 2024

June has suddenly morphed into mid-July, our grass is too long, the leafless branches pruned in spring from our ornamental plum trees — instead of being cut into kindling and stored — are piled into a jungle gym the birds use daily, the black neighborhood cat watches the birds as she nibbles the catnip, the tomato plants are lush and forming green tomatoes, the dahlia has a bloom, my cuticles are perhaps permanently stained with cherry juice, and this newsletter is several days late. It’s summer. And I’m busy. In a good way.

Being an entrepreneur and indie publishing our books, I love to glean information from podcasts and interviews, and I need good motivation to get up and walk around instead of just sitting in front of my computer screen for hours. Most days you can find me during my screen breaks with my earbuds in listen to music while dancing around the house (not sure what the neighbors think about this) or listening to a podcast where someone talks about their journey. I also often watch interviews while I take meal breaks. And I believe almost everyone has something to share that I can learn from.

Two cases in point: I recently heard a story from Jerry Seinfeld as well as watched an interview with John Cena. Now, what do being a standup comedian and a world-famous wrestler have to do with being an indie author? Apparently, a lot.

John Cena lived in his car for several months as he built his wrestling career. And he specifically calls that time ‘chosen’ hardship, because he knew at any time he could go back and live with his parents. But he wanted to be in the grind because he had found what he wanted to do: wrestle.

So what about Jerry Seinfeld? I listened to a clip of a twenty-nine year old, struggling comic talking to Jerry about how he’s not sure he can take it anymore. And by ‘it’ he means the process, the struggle, the not getting what his successful, traditionally-employed friends have. And Jerry tells him this story:

“This is my favorite story about show business.

Glenn Miller’s orchestra, they were doing some gig somewhere, they can’t land where they’re supposed to land because it’s winter, a snowy night.

So they have to land in this field and walk to the gig.

And they’re dressed in their suits. They’re ready to play. They’re carrying their instruments. So they’re walking through the snow, and it’s wet and it’s slushy, and in the distance they see this little house.

And there’s lights on in the inside, and this billow of smoke coming out of the chimney. They go up to the house, and they look in the window, and in the window they see this…this family.

There’s a guy and his wife, and she’s beautiful. And there’s two kids. And they’re all sitting around the table. And they’re smiling, they’re laughing, they’re eating. And there’s a fire in the fireplace.

And these guys are standing in their suits, and they’re wet and they’re shivering and they’re holding their instruments. And they’re watching this incredible Normal Rockwell scene.

This one guy turns to the other guy and goes, ‘How do people live like that?’

That’s what it’s about.”

(You can watch the video of the whole interaction on YouTube.)

Now, I’m not sure if this is a true story or simply a myth passed from creative to creative, but long ago Adam and I decided we would be the people walking through the snow. The ones whose yard isn’t perfectly manicured, whose dishes aren’t always clean, whose house isn’t spotless. We decided we wouldn’t spend money on travel or dining out or staying up-to-date with fashion trends. We weren’t going to spend our energy and resources trying to build a traditional life. Instead our time and money would be spent toward building our dreams of becoming self-supporting indie authors. Chosen hardship. 

Chosen because we are blessed that Adam also has a day job. Chosen because we have the support of each other to get us through the tough times. Saying ‘no’ to things I don’t want becomes so much easier as my dreams become clearer and my grit becomes grittier.

So the grass will remain much too long, the neighborhood cat will love stalking through it, the neighbors may wonder about the woman who wears only black and why she randomly dances around the house. And I will sit in my slightly messy house happily making up jokes and scenarios with Adam and writing stories because this is the life I want. I can’t imagine living any other way.

I’d love for you to share in the comments what you’ve chosen in life that feels true and right for you, even if it might mean being a bit different from the crowd. 

Are We There Yet?

June was full of projects. We collected all the rerelease reader notes. I’m well into the creation of a new cover for Manly Hero with a very patient and gracious illustrator. (I’m learning it is much more complicated trying to describe a picture in my head for a visual piece of art than putting a story on paper in words.) Edits are going well on Lucky. And I’ve got a few other projects I’m excited to talk more about next month. (Okay, technically this month, but it’ll be the next newsletter. :) )

Obsession Sessions

As the above picture may have hinted, Adam and I have been enjoying cherry season. We’ve frozen a few bags worth and have eaten more than we thought humanly possible. And we have no regrets. Also, we got to visit a local organic cherry orchard and it’s so cool to be able to meet and thank the people who are growing and harvesting our food. Fruit, grain, and vegetable farmers — and the people who harvest that food — are doing hard, valuable, amazing work. So, if you’re a farmer, or are involved in the harvesting of food, thank you. I am happily appreciating the literal fruits of your labor.

Bye For Now

I hope you are either happily curled up in front of a cozy metaphorical fire, or happily trudging through the cold metaphorical snow (or ridiculously long, unmown grass). I hope that you are choosing your hardships (at least the ones we have agency over), and that you are moving through and toward the life you enjoy.

Love you, Petra ❤️

P.S. Remember to pop into the comments and share what you’re choosing for your life, even if it means being a bit different from the crowd. :)

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Thanks for reading! As an indie author, I really appreciate your support. :)

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