What are your scary hills?
Oh, hi friends!
What is the scariest thing you could do next?
I’m not talking about something that puts you into physical danger. Although. Are you into that? We can talk about that in another newsletter.
But what’s the scariest thing you could do with your work/creative projects/bubbling ambition?
I’ve seen my friends do some amazing things lately.
Start a daily blog and then tell people about it.
Pitch those big, pie-in-the-sky outlets—and get accepted.
Plan a reading of a full-length play (before it’s finished) and then finish it.
Quit a soul-squishing job without a back-up plan.
Start running again after a couple years off.
These are so scary! You have your own scary hills to climb, I’m sure.
But I’ve only seen good come from these actions. You learn, you practice. You stare down the fear and do it anyway.
I’m pondering my own scary things. What are yours?
Are you going to disobey that face?
I didn't think so. (from @advicetowriters with a h/t Abby Haglage)
Let's Light Up Your Brain!
How do you answer “so, what do you do?” Do you sound like a robot? I do! It's awful! In my latest story for TED, I talked to an expert about how we can introduce ourselves in a way that is actually memorable. This assignment made me think about my career and strengths and perception and why we rely on job titles—and it will help you craft your own new introduction.
Loved this profile and introduction to 22-year-old singer songwriter Shlomo Franklin, written by Brass Ringer Steve Ovadia. His song “About Last Night” is beautiful. Wow.
How to respond to the voice that says “I can’t.” My heart and brain really enjoyed this piece on running and bouldering by my friend Blakeney Schick.
Artists! Readers! My friend Megan Liberty is moderating a panel at the event series Recto/Verso: Art Publishing in Practice, at MoMA PS1 next Sunday, August 5 at 1pm! Go and learn about the life of art books and their unique ability to move between and function in various realms—such as exhibitions, commercial spaces, and scholarly research—and the opportunities this creates for artists and publishers.
Eat your way through Sicily with Italy expert and friend Alexandra Kirkman. Oh my gosh her story killed me. I want all the food.
And she’s not my friend (yet?!) but have you read Taffy Akner’s piece on Gwyneth Paltrow and GOOP? You should! A master of the inventive and compelling profile.
I try to read the Metropolitan Diary in the New York Times every day for little snapshots of the city and the people living in it.
And if we’ve ever met in person, you’ve probably seen a tattoo on my left forearm. It changes every week. It’s fake! What a jokester! They are really fun though—a tiny way to put a piece of art or motivation on my body, but without having to commit forever. Tattly, my favorite place to get temporary tattoos, is having an anniversary sale! 50% off if you use the code TATTLYLUCKY7 valid through Monday. Not an ad, I just love them. A lot.
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara