Hi! It’s been a while. I’ve started writing to you several times, but every week I run out of time, and then I don’t pick up that week’s half-finished piece. Or a week goes by fast without my writing anything at all.

So, I’m trying something I’ve been resisting: writing on the weekends. I wanted to keep the “work” part contained to weekdays only, but it just hasn’t been happening. There’s also been a lot going on for me during the week (more on that in a few).

Besides, I’m a big believer in working when it makes sense for you to work. Who says we’re most productive 9-5 Monday through Friday?

In the past few months, I’ve put several hundred notes for the book into Capacities (see this post). I’ve tagged them by topic, and started to link related notes to each other.

But I need to just write. Even Claude is telling me so.

Claude tells me to stop planning and write. Not wrong…

Wow, it’s hard to remember the stories in detail. I find that talking with other developers has been the best way for me to remember. Your stories remind me of that time when…

I could use your help. Maybe you were there with me when the stories happened. Or maybe you worked elsewhere, but our stories tend to be similar.

Would you help me remember? If you’d like to help me reminisce (or if you just want to chat!), please claim some time on my calendar.

Reading

I just finished Deep Work by Cal Newport, and I’m currently in the middle of Saving Time, by Jenny Odell.

Both books left me disillusioned by social media. I may stop feeding Facebook and Instagram for a while. If you’re seeing my writing there, connect with me on LinkedIn, or sign up at beyondwritingcode.com for these less-than-weekly updates and reflections.

In the meantime, I’m toying with an application called Shortform. It features (what appear to be) human-written summaries of the main points of a lot of non-fiction books, with cross-references to other related works that support or counter the points the author is making. They also have exercises for reflection, which I like.

I don’t know. I enjoy reading whole books. I am writing one, after all. The author’s “voice” and writing style are part of the experience for me.

But I’ve got a stack of books to be read as source material for my own writing, plus a stack of pre-orders looming. And, every few days, another book I simply must read comes up on my radar.

I’m hoping the app will help me at least decide which books I want to invest more time in to read in depth, and which I can enjoy in summary form and move on.

Art

I gave myself a drawing challenge for April: draw at least one mysterious creature per day.

I broke my streak once or twice, but I drew more in April than I have in a long time. I’ve got a full set of 50 Art-o-Mat blocks ready to be named and wrapped up. Good thing, too, as I have 100 blocks taking up space on my art desk.

Here’s a lively character from April’s drawings.

creation spell

I’m a bit late for starting a daily writing challenge for May, but this art challenge was so good that I might set myself a target of a certain number of words per day. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Other stuff

I’m now in eight(!) exercise classes every week, and I absolutely love it. Zumba, strength training, and one yoga class. The numbers from my doctor’s office are happy too.

I’m volunteering twice a month at the Prison Book Program. If you’re within an hour’s drive or so of me, and you have paperback books in good condition that could use a good home, let me know.

Mysteries abound. Why do I still need my winter coat in May? How do we keep the rabbits from eating every flower on the property other than the daffodils? How many crowns from the dentist until I’m queen? Will that avocado be ripe tomorrow for nachos or not?

I’ve missed writing to you. Let’s see if a little more flexibility in my schedule helps with that.

Drop me a note

I would love to hear from you. Hit reply and let me know what’s on your mind and how this week’s message landed with you.

I read every message and reply when I can!