Welcome to Joy Ride, a monthly dose of joy, good things, creativity prompts, and gratitude by writer Jennifer Chen. If you like it, please share this newsletter with someone who might like it too.
Your Pep Talk 🫶🏽
July has been a month. My family and I planned an amazing trip to NYC and NJ to see friends and family. Then our flight was cancelled and the next direct flight was five days later. Entire trip cancelled.
Oooh, I was mad. I was disappointed. I groused about it for a good few days.
I’m sharing this because life doesn’t go according to plan—despite my best efforts to control it all.
We can’t control many things in life, but the one thing we can do is feel our feelings, share our disappointments, and make new plans. Maybe your trip plans got delayed. A rejection arrived in your inbox. Maybe what you wanted didn’t turn out as planned.
I understand how you feel. It sucks. Truly. Try telling someone who cares about you. Scribble down your thoughts in a journal. Have a good ugly cry. Know that you are not alone. I hope good news is headed your way very soon!
My Latest News 📚
I turned in book #2 to my wonderful editor! She gave me fantastic notes on it so I’m heading into revision mode.
I chatted with Gabriel Torres on his Try Reading podcast about my journey as an author, the inspiration behind Artifacts of an Ex, and why the Baby-Sitters Club means so much to me.
Check Out This... 🍿
BOOK: The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson is the second in their YA series about two teen detectives who solve mysteries in their town. If you love Agatha Christie and Veronica Mars, you’ll love this.
MOVIE: Joy Ride is a raunchy comedy, featuring some of the funniest Asian American actresses. I could not stop laughing in the movie theater.
ART EXHIBIT: I saw Kehinde Wiley’s sculptures and paintings at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. His work is stunning and if you get a chance to see it in-person, you must go.
MOVIE: I wasn’t a Barbie girl growing up. I had only one and I mainly just liked her pink dress, but the Barbie movie is worth the hype. The cast is stellar. America Ferrera’s monologue about being a woman is A+++.
FUNDRAISER: Bid on a vintage typewriter from Tom Hanks’s personal collection, a tarot reading, or a Palm Springs getaway through the WriteGirl summer auction (auction closes on 7/28 at 6pm PST). Help support this amazing creative writing mentoring organization.
I'm Grateful For... 🌉
My quick trip to San Francisco. I got to spend time with friends, see amazing art at the DeYoung museum, pet many good dogs, and took a pic of Yoda for my kids.
I often blame myself when things go sideways, but when everything goes wrong at the same that feels more like the universe. Thinking that helps me let things go. Thanks for sharing your experience and congratulations on sending in your 2nd book!
I particularly enjoyed this issue since I have also had my plans go sideways. Great advice! 💕🥰