Author: marylowd

I am so burned out. I’ve been writing at a breakneck pace for more than a year, and I’ve had the kids home, bouncing off the walls, dealing with loss and fear caused by the pandemic for nine months.

But I keep dragging myself forward on the novel I’m writing.

I keep wondering if I should take a break. Surely, after writing three novels in fourteen months, I’ve earned a break?

And yet, writing is what holds me together. Believing the books I write matter is what pulls me forward. And I need to be held together and pulled forward.

Apparently, today is the day that I can’t take it anymore and start ranting wildly about Universal Basic Income.

Years ago I was asked while on a panel at a convention, how can a writer best go about making money with their book?

My answer remains the same:  put your book aside, go into politics, and fight for Universal Basic Income.

Writing is a terrible, awful, horrible way to make money, and it always will be. Continue reading “Universal Basic Income is Tenure for Writers”

I’m so glad to have Grey’s Anatomy & Station 19 back after all these months.  They’re such a bright spot in my week.

The thing about great art is that it helps the chaos of life make sense. And when you find a piece of art that can do that for you… it’s like a friend, a teacher, a warm comforting blanket, and a place where you can go to feel safe all at once.

I know every episode of Grey’s Anatomy hasn’t been brilliant. But many of them have been, and it’s grown over the years

And there simply are stories you can tell after 16 years (+ 6 of Private Practice & 3 of Station 19) that you just can’t tell without that kind of history. Continue reading “The Value of Longevity as Demonstrated by Grey’s Anatomy and Baby Yoda”

Things you find yourself saying as a parent:

“Jellyfish are actually not known for their prognosticatory abilities.”

No? Really? It’s just me? Well, okay then.

The more I think about it, the more it seems the most heartbreaking breakups (sister, best friends) come down to us both being on the autism spectrum & me thinking I finally found someone I don’t have to mask for, while they thought I owed them the same mask I’d give strangers.

The 13-year-old has spent all morning and afternoon talking on the phone with a friend while playing loud Christmas music and baking. So far, they’ve baked vegetable tarts and orange-cranberry scones. They bring me samples of everything for approval. Yes, I know how lucky I am.

The thirteen-year-old to their dad: “I’m sorry I’m behind on homework and that I keep procrastinating and then bug you with weird inside jokes about skeletons.”

Me: “…that took a turn.”

Fifteen years ago, I struggled to hold myself to the standard of writing 40 words/day of Otters In Space 1.

Now, I easily meet my goal of 500 words/weekday of Otters In Space 4.

Writing is a skill, like playing piano, that can be improved through consistent, mindful practice.

We don’t need to change the hearts & minds of fascist bigots. We NEED to take their power away.

But if you really WANT to change their hearts & minds, you need to speak their language—which is power. So again…

Take. Their. Power. Away. Continue reading “Time for THEM to Listen”

The seven-year-old: “I have so many hugs, I have to use one right now. [[rushes over to give me a hug]] I have infinity hugs and I never lose them. When I lose one, I go get another.”