Katrin's Newsletter #44: What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?

This brief missive is a way for me to make connections with people interested in art and creativity (sign up here). I'm an author and editor, always on the lookout for inspiration. 

Peace, Love and Understanding

Elvis Costello

As I walk through this wicked world

Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity
I ask myself, is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside
There's one thing I wanna know
What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding? Oh
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?
 

I put off writing this newsletter because of what's been going on in the world. It's hard for me to find positive momentum when I'm so distracted. What about you? Does life go on or do you grind to a halt?

Creatives create and it feels like death when we can't. I've experienced that often enough to know it's worth trying to muster the will to avoid that kind of stasis. So...

... as I wait for the process of editing/ pitching the Ibiza novel to gather steam, I've launched into research for my next story. I've even written 7,000 (not-so-stellar) words of the dreaded first draft - this is how I try to force momentum.

And I'm feeling the urge to give back in some way, so I'm opening up my FREE  #firstfivepages critique again (click here and go to bottom of page). If you or someone you know might be interested, please reach out to me. Forward the newsletter to friends and I'll happily read their first five pages, too.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Okay, so I have a crush on Mark Duplass, but the real revelation in the movie Language Lessons is the incredible Natalie Morales. This movie is a slow burn - the narrative conceit is clunky at first but it's so inventive and draws you in and I found myself utterly riveted, and then, finally, in tears. You want to believe in humanity again? Watch this! Variety summarizes it here. (Watch on HBO Max/ rent on Amazon.)

Many moons ago, I was introduced to Nina Simone by an English boyfriend, and I never really knew or understood her story or her impact. Wow. "I'll tell you what freedom means to me - freedom means no fear. No fear!"

What Happened, Miss Simone, (Netflix) filled me in on the complexities of her personality and the cost of her art. I came away feeling deep respect and awe.


Finally, I'm not a big short story reader but in an effort to explore "voice" I picked up Maggie Shipstead's collection You Have a Friend in 10A. So damn good! Here is her short story "Acknowledgments" - it's absolutely brilliant and cringeworthy. Read it, now!