You're telling me this man is not a real doctor?
The Pitt and other life updates.
Like most people, I tuned into Grey’s Anatomy in college every now and then. I admired its soft rock, indie-bent soundtrack, welcomed the opportunity to openly cry to The Fray, and for the very first time, imagined what it would be like to be impaled by metal pole with someone else like a human shish kebab (thanks for that one, Shonda Rhimes).
Before that, I watched House every now and then. But generally, I would not call myself a medical drama person. I did not watch ER. I am squeamish. I screamed for the entirety of the basement brain surgery scene in Severance. And oh yes, I also have bit of health anxiety. In other words, I worry about enough things without brain-eating parasites being on my radar. But now I am watching The Pitt. And oh, I am a Pitt person. I really am.
Though, if we’re being specific, it’s probably better to say I am a Noah Wyle as Dr. “Robby” Rabinovich person. I have never in my life seen better acting on a soapy, highly commercial television series. Never! Not once! If I ran into this man on the street, I would feel completely comfortable letting him intubate me. I would be like do what you need to do, sir! Cut me open! Shock my heart! Lecture me about the dangers of fentanyl! You’re the expert here, not I! I believe him in every single scene he is in. Completely. I know rationally that he’s not a real doctor, but are we sure? Like really sure?
The show itself isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel (in fact, some have argued it is… copying the wheel?), but it works. The writing is sharp, the acting is solid, and Noah Wyle is giving an award-winning performance in basically every scene. I’m into it! Jake’s into it! I have to look away from bloody scenes a few times an episode, but that’s fine with me.
Though it did take pretty much all of my attention one Saturday afternoon last month, The Pitt isn’t the only good thing on my mind right now, so I thought I’d share a handful of life updates since it’s been a little bit.
Life Lately
I taught a writing workshop to 80+ teenage girls at the end of March. It was a wonderful experience and made me feel happy to be… alive? A writer? I don’t know. I wrote all about it for paid subscribers, if you’re interested.
I am working on my second round of revisions for Little One and oh, oh, oh, I am so excited. In the next 2-3 months, we should have a pub date, cover, and pre-order links and I just… I can’t wait. I poured my whole entire soul into this one, and I hope you love it.
I spent a lot of time writing and revising this essay about the current state of beauty standards last month, and I was really proud with the outcome. I’ve had my moments with really obsessing over Substack stats recently (usually I am good at ignoring this!), and it’s good for me to remember and celebrate the things I create that I am proud of, regardless of stats. I am proud of this one.
We are officially in the endless winter part of early spring (if you live in the north east, you know what I mean) and it is feeling… frustrating. But the daffodils, hyacinth, and catmint are all starting to come up (slowly) and it feels glorious to see the garden improve year-over-year. I love thinking about where it will be in another five years or ten years. I mean, just look at how the area by our mailbox has improved year-over-year.
In between revisions, I am working on a new book that I am, so far, head-over-heels for. It’s still in the most early stages (and who knows if it will ever see the light of day/be sold), but it’s feeling good. I am also slowly building its corresponding playlist, if you’re curious. This stage of writing is basically just… vibes. But my god, do I love vibes. So I’m trying to enjoy it, even if there is some uncertainty in the mix, too.
Things are starting to come back to life here in the Hudson Valley. Our favorite casual dinner spot is reopening soon after a long winter break and I mean, I’m at least assuming it’s going to be warm enough for outdoor dinners and drinks soon. Fingers crossed.
I’m making some progress on planning a cozy reading/writing retreat for fall 2025, though it’s slow going. Keep an eye out for news in the next couple months…
I have found a new hyperfixation recipe.
I feel so lucky to have read some of my favorite books ever this year, including Wild Dark Shore and Heartwood, both of which are officially available. Go pick them up from your local indie bookstore and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Bookshelves are HAPPENING. I can’t wait. More soon. Update: Since drafting this I have discovered that, yes, bookshelves are happening but… not for four months. Friendly reminder to book your contractors for future projects now!
I can’t stop thinking about the film adaptation of Project Hail Mary. By the time it comes out next year, I will have been thinking about it for five years. That is nuts. But you know what, I can’t wait. It feels so good to be this excited for a movie.
Speaking of the movies, I found a new independent movie theater near us that I am obsessed with, save for one small detail. Before their previews start, they play vintage commercials, which I love. In between these old school clips there are… nothing but semaglutide ads. Like, can I not enjoy my popcorn and Twizzlers without thinking of god damn Wegovy? I will still go to the movies (obviously) and support their very lovely business, but I find myself getting increasingly frustrated with the never-ending onslaught of WLD advertising. But that’s a post for another day…
Some books on my desk… The God of the Woods, which I keep referring to for a formatting idea for Little One. Paper Palace, which is one of my guiding lights for this work-in-progress book. A Writer’s Diary by Virginia Woolf (let me tell you, that woman did not hold back).
I added quite a few new things to my bulletin board recently, including a card that says “I know who I am when I am writing” per this lovely essay by
that I keep thinking about. I also added one with the question: “Does nostalgia mean something?” which is an idea I want to explore in this in-progress book. I also printed out my most recent revision notes and annotated them. Remind me to get a better home printer…One piece of home office equipment I still very much loving is my keyboard, which I keep forgetting to share a link to. Some days, it is just the sound of this thing as I type that gets me to my desk. I was inspired to get it by Christy Anne Jones. I just love, love, love it. I got it on Amazon, but I’m sure you could find it elsewhere.
That’s all for this week. I’ll see you next week for a desk tour. Thank you, as always, for being here.
Olivia
As I was reading this, I kept thinking about how I found you when you were writing articles and dreaming of writing a book one day. Now you're a full-fledged author working on your 2nd and 3rd books. I hope you're able to take moments to appreciate how hard you've worked and how far you've come. Your success is inspiring, and I'm so happy for you!
Would die to be intubated by Dr Robby. 😂 I also just started Wild Dark Shore, I’m OBSESSED.