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
I finished copy edits on my debut book! I’m drafting book #2. It’s not a sequel to book #1 so I’m in the first-draft-is-this-any-good territory. Even though I’ve written several unpublished books, I still get the fear that I have no idea what I’m doing.
What I tell myself before each writing session is to just write. I time myself to write 1,000 words per session and I don’t stop to self-criticize. Is it the best writing I’ve ever done? No. But I put down words that I can revise later.
I share this because turning off that critical voice has taken many hours of practice. One thing I do before I tackle a book is I write a letter to my inner editor. I tell her: thanks for being here, but you can share your thoughts when I’m revising. In the mean time, be quiet.
I hope this helps to remind you to tune down that self-doubt and just get it done.
My Latest News
For SELF, I interviewed licensed therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab about untangling messy family relationships and three things you can do when a family member won’t change. I loved chatting with Tawwab. I’ve followed her Instagram account for awhile and her #NedraNuggets always leave me thinking about boundaries and relationships.
Check Out This...
ARTICLE: I loved this fashion-focused article on costume designer Ruth Carter’s work in Wakanda Forever (if you haven’t seen the movie, there are spoilers). Her work is truly exquisite.
TV SHOW: Poker Face (on Peacock) is my must-watch show right now. Natasha Lyonne plays a woman who can detect when anyone is lying. She solves mysteries as she runs away from a very bad guy.
SPEECH: James Hong’s SAG awards speech is truly epic. The 94-year-old slays the audience with wit and charm while calling out racism.
BOOK: House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is a heart-warming tale of found family and love. It’s hard to describe this fantasy novel, other than it’s unforgettable.
FUNDRAISER: On Feb. 6, a massive earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, and many are struggling for medical help. Consider donating to Doctors Without Borders to help with the relief effort.
I'm Grateful For...
Birthdays. My twins and my husband celebrated their birthdays this month. We had a Jedi training at my kids’ birthday party and they learned how to use the force. Celebrating their birthdays always reminds me that each year is a gift, and that cake should be eaten all week long.
Loved this issue! I always look forward to each one! 💕