WritingPlotting fiction outlines. The genre? Unsure. The premise? Unsure. The characters? Kind of sure?? Writing is re-writing, as they say!
ReadingYellowface by R. F. Kuang — SO GOOD! I'm seeing her speak in September. Next up: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1, and I've got my mind on the Culture series — Book 1 is Consider Phlebas by Iain Banks. A few more sci-fi and fantasy recs in the queue (more on that next month). Also perusing David Lynch's Catching the Big Fish.
WatchingFinishing Apple TV's Cape Fear — two episodes left. Rented the complete first season of Better Things (co-created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K., FX). On a Boston kick: The Town (2010, Ben Affleck & Blake Lively) and Gone Baby Gone (2007). Rented Companion (2025, written & directed by Drew Hancock) — curious how it aligns with Curry Barker's Obsession. Re-watching Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag (2016) — a masterclass for any screenwriting student in the loveable-yet-unlikeable character; the dark comedy, banter, and quick, chummy micro-aggressions are top-tier. And for trash TV, finishing this season of Bravo's The Valley.
ListeningStill on Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf — actually enjoying it. Jackie Schimmel's satirical pregnancy podcast. Always Radio Andy.
Thinking aboutHow to build a world. Whether I have time to start a Dungeons & Dragons group in order to learn world-building — I'm not kidding, I'm debating a D&D group! LOL.
Previously · July 2026
WritingMy full feature film spec to round out my portfolio of work in my voice. Taking the script where my energy pulls me.
ReadingStrangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden, and Nerve Damage by Annakeara Stinson.
WatchingNo Country for Old Men (2007 Thriller Western), Cape Fear, Bravo's In the City, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017 Crime Thriller), There Will Be Blood (2007 Western Drama), and Larry David's new show (kind of awful in a great way).
ListeningAlice (The Chronicles of Alice, #1) by Christina Henry, and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf.
Thinking aboutDavid Lynch, as per usual. Inspiration from Western films. Tarantino's kitsch. What do I love to watch, and therefore what would I love to see in my own work? How much I love my dog. Thankful for my partner's support in my YouTube channel pursuits.