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 started this newsletter because I wanted to find pockets of joy in the pandemic. Back then, I wanted to remember what was good. The world news is horrifying. Emotions and tensions are high.
I’ve been checking in on my friends, letting them know that I’m here to listen if they need a place to share their thoughts. Just to say, I hear you, that’s scary, I’m sorry. To hold space for them to vent, cry, worry. To know that I see what they’re going through.
I have this quote hanging up in my house that I hand lettered. I look at it when I need a reminder that hope is not something I wish for, but instead practice every day. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
“Hope is a discipline.” —Mariame Kaba, educator
I hope that I can give you a few minutes of peace today. I hope wherever you are that you and your loved ones are safe. I hope that something positive comes your way.
Giveaway 🎁
Dear Readers, I want to thank you for joining me on my journey with my very first book, which comes out next month. As a gratitude, I’d love to give 10 readers a chance to win a signed bookplate, stickers, and a bookmark. Please fill out this form by Nov. 1, 2023 to enter.
Upcoming Events 🎙️📚
My book baby is out in the world on November 14! Here are my scheduled book events with amazing people & bookstores. Would love to see you there! You can pre-order here.
📚November 17 at 5-6pm PST
Virtual Event with Author & Agent Eric Smith. Please RSVP here to receive the Zoom link to the event.
📚November 19 at 2:30-3:30pm PST
Book Launch at Annabelle’s Book Club and moderated by YA author Edward Underhill
📚December 16 at 3-4pm PST
North Figueroa Bookshop, in partnership with WriteGirl, a creative writing and mentoring organization
Check Out This... 💝
POST: I absolutely loved seeing the Purdue Band play the Bluey theme song while moving into formation of the title character.
BOOK: I’m currently reading The Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune and love how he makes me fall in love with his characters, including a sentient Roomba vacuum.
HUMOR PIECE: I laughed out loud reading this McSweeney’s piece about the Dangerous Children’s Picture Books that Could Be Lurking in Your Home.
ORGANIZATION: This month I’m recommending, if you can, donations to humanitarian efforts in Israel and Gaza, listed in this NPR article.
I'm Grateful For... 🎶
My local Buy Nothing group. We got the most incredible gift from our local Buy Nothing group: two tickets to see Janelle Monáe for her last show of her Age of Pleasure tour. We wanted to get tickets, but didn’t have the money in our budget. The show was absolutely magical. It was the most joyful experience I’ve had in awhile. She asked us to not think about the past or future and stay present with her. What a gift to see her perform live! (Special thanks to Bernadette for babysitting at the last minute so we could go!)
Thank you for the quote "Hope is a discipline"! A friend shared that quote with me about a year ago when I needed to hear it and it is a gift to receive it again today.