Tis I. The one who used far too many M’s in the title of this blog.
This month was less stressful than last, but no less busy. I’m deep in manuscript edits, have read about a million books, and managed to see Lady Gaga in concert somewhere in the middle. Keep reading to hear more about the concert, where else we went on our mini vacation, and what I’m loving this month.
💕 Aimee
Lady Gaga – Mayhem Ball
It’s no secret that I’m a little monster. I first became a fan back in 2008 with Just Dance and Poker Face, but I became a devoted follower when she released The Fame Monster. Every song on that album (and every one after) was gold. I adore Lady Gaga’s heart and the way she loves people. I especially love the concept of “little monsters” and “mother monster” in general, which of course, points to how we should love and embrace ourselves for who we are. Slime, talons, fangs, and all.
Lady Gaga’s music brings me back to all the things I love. 80s glam and glitter, 90s industrial rock and dance, Bowie, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, Prince. She and I grew up with the same music, and she just…gets me
But few things have meant as much to me as the song Abracadabra. When it came out, I was at a very low place—doubting myself, on the cusp of giving up on my dreams, and suffering with health issues that came as a result. The lyrics inspired me to turn things around—Don’t waste time on a feeling. Use your passion. No return.
“Dance or Die” became something of a mantra for me this past year. Because it did feel like I was dying—until I chose to push back and start living again. And I’m not being melodramatic here. My health literally got better. I owe Lady Gaga my thanks—because I wouldn’t have created this website without her influence.
Seeing Lady Gaga in concert in Austin was so much fun. I’ve never been the type to jump around and let loose during a show. I’m more the stand-still-and-soak-everything-in kind of concertgoer. But something in me has shifted this year. I danced and sang my heart out. 💕💕
Morgan’s Wonderland
After the concert in Austin, we took our kids on a mini Spring Break vacation to San Antonio. We typically bring them to Fiesta Texas, which is, uh…not my favorite place in the world. (I miss Astroworld! iykyk) But then my son had another suggestion.
He asked to go to a place called Morgan’s Wonderland. I researched and found out that it’s an inclusive theme park designed with special needs kids in mind. Both of my twins are autistic, and we have a very difficult time navigating your average theme park. Like, it is stressful.
But Morgan’s Wonderland was truly a wonderful place. I remember standing there, thinking, “Wow. I’m not stressed out. What is this?” The kids had a blast. Gentle rides, acres of playgrounds, sensory areas. Because they’re autistic, the kids got a bracelet that let them go to the front of lines, which saved us from some meltdowns in the heat. And the place was clean!
Oh, and all the employees (at least, the ones I met) had disabilities as well. It was such a great place that made my kids feel special. We will definitely be buying a season pass.
What I’ve Been Reading
I’ve been on the search for the perfect comps for my manuscript. (A comp is a book you use in your query letter to help potential literary agents know where your work would sit on a bookstore shelf.) Pictured above are all the books I either fully read or scanned this month in my search. Yes, I realize there are a few different genres present. My book is adult queer romance, but it does have YA reader crossover potential and light literary elements. I think I’ve finally found the perfect combo of 3 comps that describe my book.
Books I actually read in full this month: Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles, We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian, and Game Changer by Rachel Reid. (There are no affiliate links in this post btw.)
My favorites were Queen of the Damned (because vampires 🧛♂️ and because I’m so, so excited for AMC’s The Vampire Lestat to air in June) and We Could Be So Good. I really enjoy Cat Sebastian’s prose. Funny, charming, and clever. The sex scenes felt earned instead of gratuitous. I chose her book as one of the comps for mine and couldn’t be happier with the find.
What I’m Writing
I’ve been whittling my 123k word manuscript down to below 100k. That’s the goal, anyway. So far, I’m down to 115k, which has given me hope that I can shave off the rest.
It amazes me how I can think a scene is fully edited, only to revisit it months later and realize how much I’ve overwritten. I suppose that’s why it’s so important to get distance from your work. Personally, after looking at the same text for so long, I can become blind to mistakes. Time and space help.
Can you believe my first draft was upwards of 140k? When I’m done, I’ll have removed 40,000 freaking words from it. That’s an entire novella.
What I’m Loving this Month – Hirono
To reward myself for knocking out Act I of my manuscript revision, I bought myself these Pop Mart Hirono blind boxes. I allow myself to open one after I finish a specified amount of work.
I’ve never been much of a labubu fan (though my son adores them), but I love the little mad faces on the Hirono figures. I have them on my desk, and they pout and glare at me while I write.
Find them here. (Not sponsored or affiliated.)
That’s it for this month. See you in April!
Featured image by: Quentin Rey on Unsplash
Menu image by: Daria Kraplak on Unsplash
