This past month was a LOT. There’s really no other way to put it. 

So many of us have felt helpless as entire communities and institutions have literally and figuratively burned. And as we scramble to pick up the pieces and find our footing in this new reality, it’s easy (and completely understandable) to feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the flow of information coming in like a firehose.

That’s why I’ve decided to be careful about tending to my attention. While I strive to be informed, I can’t “sit” with media content all day. Even if it means that I need to delete certain social media apps and limit the time I spend reading the news, my attention is what I can control, and where I place it does make all the difference.

With that said, I wrote a little poem to try to process and find my way through it.

Hold Steady 
In the storm of chaos
Our true North can get lost
in all the dust.
But once it settles--
and it will--
we’ll rouse from our stillness
test the ground,
take slow steps,
and soldier on.
Because as much as some may pull,
going backward 
was never an option.
We’ll immerse ourselves in stories
connect with our shared humanity
linked by our losses and hopes.
Use our hands to create something
anything 
instead of scrolling.
Let go of the weight of the past year
declutter our self-doubts
cultivate curiosity
become friends with our senses
curate joy in the tiniest moments
plant dreams and 
water them with possibility.
We’ll always punch back 
with sharp laughter,
savor our delicious secrets,
point our toes forward, 
keeping our eyes on what could be,
dance to the music in our heads,
because moving will keep us steady on this shaky ground. 

Navigating all of *gestures wildy* this…is hard. So remember to take breaks. Unplug often. Most importantly, breathe. 

If you can, care for someone else. And don’t forget to care for yourself.

Writing Updates: 
We’re gearing up for a few more events:

1/31: A Special School Visit/Workshop at Lowell Elementary

3/28-3/30: For those who aren’t familiar, Wondercon is like San Diego Comic-Con’s little brother. We’ve officially registered for our badges and will have a table. Yay!

If you don’t have a copy of Three Bee Honey, you can purchase it here on our website. 

Connect with us on our socials:
IG: @st.amantstories
TikTok: @stamantstories 
YouTube: @MisterSaintAmant (Jon's art tutorials)

Recent Reads: A First Time for Everything, by Dan Santat

A coming-of-age graphic novel? Yes, please! The truth is that I got A First Time for Everything for one of my sons, but the story caught my eye. So I dove into the book as soon as I had a chance. 

Santat recounts his first international trip, one he takes with a ton of trepidation…and without his parents. During his trip, he experiences many firsts along with plenty of mistakes and pleasant surprises. Throughout the pages, Santat captures the wonder and angst of becoming a teenager. This was such a relatable story of exploration and discovery, one that reminded me of how valuable it is for young people to travel to other countries. It really alters your perspective on the world and rewires your brain in all the best ways. Clearly, Dan Santat was profoundly changed for the better because of his travels. He reminds all of us that our precious little lives are short: stay open to opportunities for adventure that come our way.  

​Amelie getting a dose of vitamin D. 

Lilo helping me get some work done. 

Sanity Corner:
This past month, we finally decided to invest in raising chickens. We’d always thrown the idea around, but then we’d get busy with life and forget. But not this time, with egg prices being what they are. We thought we’d get our first chicks around February/March, giving us a chance to research. To our surprise, our local pet and feed store notified us that the chicks were ready sooner. So here they are:

(From bottom left clockwise: Suzanne Banana, Doris Donut, Shirley Omelette, and Margie Muffin)

These gals are already growing so fast! While caring for them at this stage is a lot of work, they are super cute and have distinct personalities. For instance, Margie is more shy, and Shirley is the confident leader of the pack. 

​Finn guarding the chicks, trying his best to feign innocence. Take it easy there, pal. 

That’s all for January. Thank you for reading! :) 

If you haven’t subscribed, make sure you click below to get the next newsletter in your inbox.

Take care,
Desi

When a holiday break drops, I tend to go to war with myself. On one hand, I finally have the time to catch up on everything I need to do—well, not EVERYthing. But my hope-to-do list is long. And long overdue.

On the other hand, I’m so ragged and winded and breathless from the sprinting required to just get to this point that I just. Want. To stop. 

Kenny Rogers once sang, “You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em.” 

Sure, these lyrics were likely about a poker game (okay, sure…the song is literally called “The Gambler”). But I also wondered if it could apply to my holiday conundrum: “holding” space and energy for others versus “folding” into a place of rest for myself. 

For someone as restless as I am—someone with “zero chill,” as my kids and husband would say—doing nothing is HARD, fam. I’m the type of person who needs to move constantly. I’m the type of person who’d rather play the sport than watch it on TV. I’m that person during vacation who’d rather swim in the ocean or go on a hike instead of sitting on the sand with a drink.

While I have to be true to who I am, I know I also need a chance to recharge. So I decided to meet myself in the middle. A compromise. 

I’d spend the mornings of my holiday break doing: working on house projects, cooking, going places with the family, and catching up on appointments. 

And then I’d spend the afternoons just being: resting, reading, watching movies I’ve been wanting to watch (or rewatch). 

​While it feels good to cross things off our to-do lists, we need to make space to fill our cups. And if we want to be creative, it’s especially important. It’s where we’ll find a creative wellspring: not in the midst of the grind, but in the awe-inspiring moments discovered when we look up from our own lives.
​
I often compare myself to a worker bee. But even bees need to rest. Even they shut down the grind during the winter season. And for good reason, as this comic illustrates:

Like Claire, Abi, and Hannah, we all need to recharge and stay inspired to tackle the next chapter of our journey and whatever is in store in the months to come.

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean we can stop everything and hibernate until spring. Nevertheless, I hope you’re able to carve out space during this season for warmth, coziness, and rest. 

Writing Updates: 
We had a great time at the Walnut Winter Wonderland and saw lots of familiar faces. Here’s a video recap of our time there. 

Also, we’ve booked the following appearances:
1/31: A Special School Visit/Workshop for 2nd-3rd graders

3/28-3/30: WonderCon in Anaheim 

Although we have a limited supply left, you can still get your copy of Three Bee Honey on our website. 

Find us on our socials:
IG: @st.amantstories
TikTok: @stamantstories 

Recent Reads: How to Think When You Write, by the Etherington Brothers

Jon has these amazing-looking books called How to Think When You Draw, by the Etherington Brothers, with a colorfully illustrated cover that caught my eye. When I discovered that there was another book, How to Think When You Write, I had to read it. 

This book has dozens of short and easy to understand tutorials that help with narrative storytelling. Each tutorial is broken down with visuals, examples, and exercises to try (like the one below). What I loved most was how it made me think about writing projects I’m currently working on, giving me multiple ways into the story or strategies for making the plot more interesting. This book is great for both beginner and experienced writers alike!

Sanity Corner:
I enjoy game nights, especially the tried and true favorites. If a game is new to me, the best way I learn is just by doing: jumping in and trying to keep up with the group. During the holiday, we played Plunder with the kids and other family members. It’s very similar to Catan—another family favorite—but with a pirate theme. Plus, you can attack other players’ ships, so things get real. They say blood is thicker than water. But what if that blood is shed in the precarious waters of a board game? 

Sorry about those ships, kiddos! 

That’s all for this year. Thank you so much for reading and being part of my journey! :) 

If you haven’t subscribed, make sure you click below to get the next newsletter in your inbox.

Take care,
Desi

​Think you have a fun idea? Cool. Now try setting up a table in a public place and pitch that idea to complete strangers. But first, you’ve gotta make eye contact and engage in conversation. 

​Sounds kinda scary, right? It can be…if you’re doing it without a support network. 

Jon and I have been pitching our book at in-person events, which can feel intimidating among seasoned writers and illustrators. But despite our nerves and jitters, we’ve always felt welcomed and supported. 

At one author event we attended, a fellow writer had an observation: “The writers I’ve interacted with in this community have been so kind and supportive. And when I step out, people can be so harsh. I’ve realized that my writing community has become my mothership.”

That sentiment stuck with me. “Mothership” connotes a sense of belonging, safety, and acceptance. It’s a warm place we can come back to when things get tough. We all hunger for and need our “mothership.” And in today’s world, that’s even more true.

When you’re putting yourself out there, people will judge and criticize. Constructive criticism has value, but we shouldn't dismiss it just because it stings. 

But meanness for meanness' sake? We need to push against that. But we also need to cultivate a community that allows us to make mistakes. To fail forward and learn without tearing us down in the process. 

While this applies to people pursuing creative projects, this need for a “mothership” impacts us all. The high school student struggling to find her “people” and fit in with peers who truly accept her. The aspiring entrepreneur looking for other business owners who have experienced the same challenges and can help problem-solve. The musician searching for fellow artists with whom she can keep practicing and improving her craft. 

I’ve found my “mothership” in communities like KCU and SCBWI, where fellow creatives understand the journey of nurturing a personal passion. They’ve faced rejections and empathize when you hit a wall. They strive to share wisdom while uplifting others. That’s a mothership. 

I don’t take these communities for granted. Many people don’t get it, so finding people who do is a precious gift. 

​No matter which path you pursue, I hope you find your “mothership.” This isn’t a passive endeavor. It takes effort to find your cheerleaders, especially when you flop. Search high and low for people who will encourage you and really see that you have so much to offer. They are out there. And discovering them will be so worth it. 

Writing Updates: 
We’ve been making our rounds at several author events. Here’s a video of one that took place at our local library. 

We’ve booked the following appearances:
12/14: City of Walnut Winter Wonderland
3/28-3/30: WonderCon in Anaheim (!!!)

Also, it’s not too late to get your copy of Three Bee Honey on our website. 

Don’t forget to give us a follow on our socials:
IG: @st.amantstories
TikTok: @stamantstories 

Recent Reads:
​Smart Brevity, by Roy Schwartz, Jim Vandehei, and Mike Allen 

Smart Brevity is a very quick read that discusses the power of conciseness in a world that’s bogged down by words and content. It’s not just about tightening your words. It’s about respecting people’s time. It offers practical tips on cutting the fluff and getting straight to the point. Every person who writes anything, even text messages or emails, should read this book. 

Mexikid, by Pedro Martin

I loved this graphic novel! Mexikid felt so relatable and reminded me of aspects of my childhood, including trips to Mexico to visit extended family. With a target audience around 6th-9th grade, the writing is laugh-out-loud funny, with poignant moments about death and loss. The rich storytelling is matched by the lush, colorful visuals. What I appreciated most was the attention to detail and little “side quests” in teaching readers about the culture, such as the random toys unique to Mexico. 

I highly recommend this book!

Pet Pics:

​Lilo snuggled up in her hoodie as the weather cools down. 

Some family tea: Amelie pretends she has zero interest in being friends with Lilo, but I recently caught her secretly sleeping in Lilo’s crate, snuggling with her blankets. Dun dun dunnnnn.

Sanity Corner:
I love a nice little park. And if I can get a little picnic going—even better. There is something so soothing about enjoying the outdoors with other people. 

Recently, we went to one of our favorite spots. The weather was perfect. The sun was shining. We played catch and rode scooters and went on the swings with the kids. In a time when things can be scary and unpredictable, it's good to have a place that can offer a sweet escape, even if it’s just for a couple of hours. 

That’s all for this month. Thanks for reading! :) 

If you haven’t subscribed, make sure you click below to get the next newsletter in your inbox.

Take care,
Desi

What I love most about Halloween, aside from the candy and decorations, is seeing how creative people get with costumes. It’s an artform, really. The details. The ingenuity. The time. And I just love seeing it come to life. 

When my kids were little, I would meticulously plan our family costumes. We’d pick a theme that could fit the four of us (plus our dog at times), and Jon and I would gather materials and chip away at them—sometimes for months. Could I have saved time and just bought them? Sure. But that took the fun out of it (no offense, Spirit Halloween). It was kinda ridiculous how much time it took. But when we strutted out with our creations, it was always worth it. 

Here are some of our favorites:

Now that the kids are older, we don’t do the family ensemble anymore. But my younger son caught the DIY bug and took it upon himself to make Halloween decorations and his Terminator outfit—and even build a spooky animatronic. 

​If you’re out and about today with all of the monsters, ghouls, and goblins, take the time to notice the creative problem-solving behind those costumes. 

Happy Halloween!

Writing Updates: 
We had a lot of fun at the San Diego Comic Fest last weekend! In addition to sharing our book with new fans, we met so many talented creators.

​We’ve booked the following appearances:
11/3- Author Day, Anaheim Public Library
11/16- Author Day, Fullerton Public Library
11/23- Barnes and Noble Book Signing, Victorville
12/14- City of Walnut Winter Wonderland

If you’re in the area during those events, feel free to stop by or let a friend know. 

Also, we’re onto illustrating Book 2 of Three Bee Honey! Here’s a behind-the-scenes video of Jon setting up a page. 

If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, you can find Three Bee Honey for sale on our website. 

If you’re on Instagram, you can find us here for more updates: @st.amantstories

Recent Read: Dancing at the Pity Party, by Tyler Feder

This graphic memoir is about a woman’s grief journey as she processes the death of her mother. Dancing at the Pity Party flows chronologically, starting with her mother’s oncology appointment and terminal cancer diagnosis. While I also experienced the loss of a parent under very different circumstances, this book felt cathartic to read. I found myself crying on one page and smiling on the next, as Feder weaves through the many emotions that come with such a loss: the pain, the anger—but also the love. This is not just a story about facing death. It’s about celebrating a loved one and the impact they have on us. I highly recommend this very moving and eye-opening book. 

Pet Pics:

Lilo with her new toy. 

Cats in cuddle mode. 

Sanity Corner:
We often find ourselves in places where we have to interact with strangers. And while that can be intimidating or outright scary, it can also pleasantly surprise us. For the few hours we find ourselves at an event, a bar, or even waiting in line, I’ve noticed that I sometimes and completely accidentally strike up a conversation with a random person. 

We chit chat about our lives, maybe share a few jokes about our current situation. And then we both go our separate ways with no expectation of staying in touch. No forced long-term connection. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay—these small, positive interactions keep us from becoming too cynical about humanity. 

That’s all for October. Thanks for reading! :) 
​
Feel free to share this newsletter with your bestie! 

Take care,
Desi

I go on runs a few times a week. And when I say “run,” I’m being very, very generous.

Anywho, several months ago, I started seeing an older couple walking their dog in the opposite direction. When we first crossed paths, we’d politely nod at each other. Then we began waving to one another with a smile. 

During the past few weeks, the couple has begun cheering and clapping when I run (okay… jog) past them. It’s a little burst of excitement, and it makes me laugh. Best of all, it makes me forget about my aching leg muscles.  

​I love how we don’t even know each other’s names, but that hasn’t stopped us from developing this silly little ritual. 

Then I thought: why don’t we cheer on more people? And I mean cheering outside of sporting events and performances. Why not applaud your friend who went on her 23rd date since the divorce? Or the dad who’s driven his kids to practice for the 210th time. Or the writer who got her 88th rejection from an agent.

So to you. Yes, you, dear reader. The ones chugging away on a project after hours. The ones organizing. The ones dreaming. The ones healing. The ones supporting. The ones quietly and consistently showing up, making this world a little less broken. 

Cheers to you. 

When many people think of poetry, they think of writing that may be confusing, old-fashioned—or worse: purposefully inaccessible. This book subverts that presumption in the most delicious way. A Bit Much is a delightful book that is equal parts funny and profound. I was so excited to read it that when I got the book in the mail, I inhaled nearly half of it in one sitting! Lyndsay Rush is hilarious and deep and honest--someone so many of us can relate to. Here’s an example of one of her poems. 

Garden Update:
Fall means it's apple season. And our gala apple tree is popping off. They are smaller than the ones at the store, but perfect for a sweet snack.

Sanity Corner:
Little treats are wonderful. And I think we all deserve them. One of my favorites? A matcha latte. Iced or hot, both are great. If I’m home, I’ll make my own (here’s a recipe if you’d like to try it).

It’s a small way to make a day brighter. What are some of your favorite treats? 

That’s all for September. Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this.

​Go ahead--don’t be shy. Feel free to share this newsletter with a friend! :)

Take care,
Desi

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

In Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken,” he wrote:

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood 
And looked down one as far as I could.”

Both of these examples touch on something we can all understand: the comfort of the familiar and a fear of the unknown. While most people (including me) try to stick with the former and avoid the latter, those efforts are futile. The truth is, changes on our journey are inevitable, and we can’t know what will happen. We can’t foresee the future. And we can’t live in the what-ifs if we go one way and not the other. 

And that sucks, right? I mean, there’s already so much chaos in our world. So who would want to purposefully stray away from the familiar at this point?

That person would be me.

I know I’m not the only one. But if I’m being real, that wasn’t always how I felt. In my early adulthood, I craved stability. I reveled in a solid plan. And I loved helping people. So my career as a teacher served that purpose while giving me a firm ground to take root and grow. 

As many of you know, things changed. And—to belabor the metaphor—I grew tired of the path I was on. So I left teaching. Nevertheless, I immediately felt anxious about having no clear step-by-step trajectory for my future. 

Instead of rushing back to the life I’ve always known, I leaned into the new path and felt more determined to create the life I wanted, and that included venturing into the unknown in my creative projects as well. 

Many writers understand that getting a book traditionally published is hard. Extremely hard. Yet it was the standard by which writers measured their success, and the only way to get a story out that was worthwhile. 

Or so I thought.

When we tried getting THREE BEE HONEY published (as well as a second manuscript) through the well-trodden and very traditional path, we were met with dead-ends, false hope, and straight up silence. We thought our story’s journey was over. Another one lost in the sea of abandoned ideas. 

Then our agent actually encouraged us to try a non-traditional path: crowdfunding. This made us nervous. But we trusted that it would be okay. At the very least, we’d learn something, and that alone was worth it. So we ventured on another new path, and our story is now in print and has a whole new readership beyond us and our small circle of writer friends.

Now, I’m not saying going out on your own is easy by any means. But it’s important. It’s us putting a stake in the ground. It’s telling the world, Dammit, my ideas matter. 

So my wish for you is this: trust the voice in your head and pursue your dreams, even if they push against the familiar. Don’t keep yourself small to avoid potential pain. If a door is shut on you, make your own side entryway. 

Throw things at the wall, and see what sticks. Take more risks, even start with smaller ones, if that’s more comfortable. 

You might be surprised at how making your own trail opens up your world. 

Writing Updates: 
The THREE BEE HONEY books are now printed!

We received the book delivery, which was so exciting (we captured the unboxing moment in this video). Can you spot the early 90s movie reference? We’re anxious to get those orders packaged and delivered within the week.

If you missed out on our Crowdfundr campaign and would still like a copy of TBH, we have them for sale here on our website.

In the meantime, we’re looking into applying for exhibitor tables at local conventions and comic events. Also, we’re planning on making an appearance at some local pop-ups with other comic creators. Stay tuned! 

Current Read: Made to Stick, by Dan Heath and Chip Heath

I discovered this book when reading a Reddit post on how to come up with stronger “big ideas,” and this book was recommended. It’s been great so far! By deconstructing various real-world examples and leaning on evidence-based research on human psychology, Dan and Chip Heath illustrate why certain ideas die. More importantly, they reveal how we can take an idea that might be “okay” and amp it up to make it “sticky.”

​Fun note: they also cite teachers as great examples of people who are effective at making complex ideas “stick” with students (yay teachers!). If you’re looking to make your ideas stronger or finding an angle to make it resonate more, this would be a good book to check out!

Garden Update:
Our late-summer fruits are coming in hot! Lots of grapes (cabernet and red flame table grapes), plus figs. The purple cabernet grapes are astringent and really only work to make wine, which we tried to make a few years ago. It tasted like balsamic vinegar lol. We’ll have to try again when we have time. But the red grapes are very sweet and crisp and even better after they’ve been chilled in the fridge. And the figs are delicate, sweet, and so snackable. 

​I’ve been baking more these days. Since the afternoons get pretty warm, I usually try to bake in the mornings.I don’t have a ton of baking experience and truly lean on my go-to recipes: banana bread with chocolate chips (pictured), cookies, and sometimes homemade granola. There’s something so grounding about it. I love the way the house smells when I have something baking in the oven. The way it makes everything feel so cozy. And cozy is always a vibe I’ll go for. 

That’s all for this month. Thank you so much for reading! 

Go ahead--don’t be shy. Share this newsletter with a friend! :)


Take care,
Desi

We all have to come up with ideas sometimes. And if you’re like me, it’s all the time. 

But what do you do when you feel you’ve hit a creative wall? When you’ve juiced your brain of every possible idea you could squeeze out of it?

Because I’m a copywriter by trade, I have to concept and write a lot for other brands. And after I’ve mustered the courage I need to face the dreaded blank page, I’m left with a hearty list of ideas. 

Then a sneaking fear hits me. Always quiet at first, but then it gets louder. 

I’m gonna need to do another round of this. Maybe more… What if I’m all out of ideas? What if this was the best I could do?

​I know that the first thoughts are usually beatable. But if I’m being honest, I fear that I won’t be able to generate more. That this is the best I can muster. That I’ll dig and dig for something, anything, and my mind will become infertile soil, producing nothing of substance.

But that has not happened. 

What helps me in these moments? Taking a break, for sure. When I know I have to brainstorm more after pouring my all into the first session, I’ll stop writing. I put my pen down and then go outside. I listen to music. I do some small chores. Maybe read or talk to another person. I let my mind wander and ask “What if?” at the objects and activities around me. I become a focused observer. Because it turns out that all of those actions are like putting fertilizer back in the soil of your imagination. 

So when I sit down to crank out another round, something in my head unlocks, and the ideas flow once again. Are they all great? No. But they are something. And experience has taught me that something “meh” can lead to something “wow.” 

And who am I to shoo away any inspiration?

Writing Updates: 
OMG omg, you guys…Jon has finished coloring! 

​Me when Jon announced he found the golden ticket….I mean, finished the last page. 

He focused and was ruthless with his schedule this summer, aiming to color two pages each day. Here’s a video of him grinding for the past two months. 

If you supported our comic on Crowdfundr, stay tuned for more updates and outreach as we get this book finalized and ready to send to the printer! 

Current Read: Wired for Story, by Lisa Cron

​Lisa Cron does a fantastic job of breaking down how we can make our stories more engaging, using psychology and brain science. Not only does she address common mistakes writers make, but she also provides examples of good writing that underscore her insights. And she does it in a way that is super conversational, approachable, and clear. We can all appreciate that.

If you're writing or thinking of writing a story, this is a great book to read before diving in. And if you’ve already written a draft (or two…or six…)—or even gotten several books published—this book is STILL helpful. 

Pet Pics: 

Sanity Corner:
Ever since my kids did distance learning, I’ve noticed a profound level of dependence on devices and an aversion to boredom. Everything they want to do (other than sports) is on a device, and it’s a reality I know many other parents these days struggle with. 

But there’s one activity they’ve rediscovered this summer: puzzles. During device-free periods—which we require even on these long summer days—they’ve started solving puzzles together, working on them little by little on the coffee table.

Here’s their current puzzle. I honestly love this so much. The quiet focus it takes. The peaceful camaraderie required to finish. I 10/10 recommend you try one on your own or with your loved ones. 

Fun fact: I worked as a preschool teaching assistant during college, working with 2.5-4 year olds. My supervisor was a strong supporter of puzzles to help kids learn and develop so many important skills (focus, perseverance, problem-solving, etc.). I never did a formal study on the impact of puzzles, but I can attest to their positive effect on the little ones. 

That’s all for June. Thank you so much for reading. I’ll be in touch again soon. 

Feel free to share this little newsletter with a friend and/or a favorite frenemy! :)

Take care,
Desi

Sometimes we have our deepest insights during our most mundane moments. Walking down a quiet hallway at the office. Tying your shoes before going on a run. Sitting on a folding chair on a breezy afternoon, waiting for your kid to go up to bat during their baseball game. 

This realization actually struck me years ago when facilitating a workshop on college essays. 

Some of my students were worried that they didn’t have a big “sob story” to share on their college application essays. I didn’t get into the fact that I don’t think kids should be asked to exploit their trauma for a chance to get into college (that’s a discussion for another day). 

Instead, I encouraged them to think of their everyday lives and the little moments that make up their typical day. Within those unique slices of life, they can dive in and share a deeper, more unique story about themselves. Their job was to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. 

If we press the pause button during those moments, we can discover the quiet yet clear  nuggets of wisdom life has to offer. Right there in front of us. 

​I’ll share a moment I had recently with my teenage son. We were in the car together, running a last minute errand to the store to pick up something he needed for school. His request came at the 11th hour, so I was irritated. All I wanted to do was go home and relax. Naturally, he was also annoyed with me sternly asking for more notice next time. There we were in the car, riding along in this tense silence. 

Then he turned up the car radio. The opening guitar chords immediately gave it away: “Linger” by The Cranberries. I let a faint smirk form on my lips and kept driving. Dolores O'Riordan started singing the lyrics, and my son sang along. Then I joined him. Before we knew it, we were both belting out the chorus:

But I'm in so deep
You know I'm such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger?
Do you have to, do you have to, do you have to let it linger?

​And there we were, laughing and singing like a couple of goofballs. This song has such sad lyrics, but the context we brought to it made it surprisingly joyful. Prior annoyance was all washed away. This was only three minutes of my life, but in my mind’s eye, I took a “screenshot,” wishing with all of my heart that I could slow things down and bottle up that sweet little instant. Keep it as a salve for later when we wound each other with criticism and impatience. But this was a passing moment, one that will have to settle in as a memory of us. However, this made me realize that my son and I might be in different life stages, but we aren’t so different. And no matter how much we may butt heads, music will always be a way we can stay connected.

And now, when I hear that song, I know we’re going to be okay. 

Writing Updates: 
Jon has finished inking! Now, he’s moving on to coloring, which seems to be going a lot faster (knock on wood that I don’t eat my words). Here he is, coloring a page between innings at our son’s baseball game. 

We’re pushing through to the end, but it’s so cool to see THREE BEE HONEY coming to life with color. Here’s a video of his coloring process. 

Current Read: And Now I Spill The Family Secrets, by Margaret Kimball

I’ve been interested in reading memoirs, especially graphic memoirs, and a friend recommended And Now I Spill The Family Secrets, by Margaret Kimball. Aside from the beautiful cover, Kimball’s illustrations immediately grabbed my attention. Her memoir explores tough subjects: mental health, broken families, parent estrangement, etc. But I admire Kimball’s courage in telling her story fully and unapologetically. 

One of my favorite things about this book is how Kimball gets pretty granular about the details. The pattern of the rug. The smells in the room. The trinkets on the bookshelf. Those little tidbits of information come together to paint a vivid scene, where you can feel as if you’re walking alongside her as she peels back the layers of her story. Here’s an example from her book:

​Lilo contemplating her next hit song. 

Finn trying out my son’s new guitar bag.

Garden Updates:
The first batch of spring/summer tomatoes have arrived! I just planted some mint as well (which can add a nice flavor to a light summer salad).

I’m excited to add these to a Greek salad I’m making this week. Here’s a favorite recipe if you’d like to try it. 

Sanity Corner:
As a person who is constantly busy, I’m a big fan of podcasts because I can listen while doing chores, yardwork, or exercising. I especially love ones that have short and sweet episodes, like It’s Going to Be Okay by Nora McInerny.

​Each episode features a different person sharing their “okay” moment on a voice memo. A moment that reminds them that the world isn’t all that bad, which offsets the pervasive “doom and gloom” that surrounds us. It’s a practice of finding something special in the mundane, and I find myself looking forward to every episode.

Be sure to check it out!

That’s all for this month. Thank you so much for reading! I’ll be in touch again in June. 

Feel free to share this little newsletter with a friend and/or a favorite frenemy! :)

Take care,
Desi

​Poetry isn’t given the attention it deserves. But it sneaks into the cracks of our everyday lives via inspirational quotes, lyrics from our favorite songs, and stickers on water bottles. 

Poetry’s everywhere, so long as we’re paying attention. 

What I love most about poems is that reading them is like looking into a mirror. They each reflect essential human truths in some pretty surprising ways. 

So in honor of national poetry month, I’d like to put a spotlight on one of my favorite, albeit quieter 18th century poems: “To a Mouse.” 

Take a moment to read it, if you haven’t seen it before. It was composed in the Scottish dialect, but for this post, I’ll refer to the standard English translation. Written by the Scottish bard, Robert Burns, “To a Mouse” tells the story of a farmer plowing his field and accidentally destroying a mouse’s nest in the process. 

It seems simple and straight-foward enough…at first.

The speaker opens by addressing the mouse, feeling pity for him in the beginning. 

Small, sleek, cowering, timorous beast,
O, what a panic is in your breast!
You need not start away so hasty
With hurrying scamper!

Then the farmer reveals some self-awareness in this prophetic and poignant line:

I'm truly sorry man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,

When I got to this point, I realized it was deeper than some dude talking to a helpless mouse. As the poem progresses, the farmer’s tone grows more despairing as he realizes that the mouse isn’t actually an inferior little “beastie.”

I want to focus on these lines toward the end:

But little Mouse, you are not alone,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!

Still you are blessed, compared with me!
The present only touches you:
But oh! I backward cast my eye,
On prospects dreary!
And forward, though I cannot see,
I guess and fear!

Boom, there it is. The “mirror” moment of the poem. A golden nugget that reveals the essence of the human condition. 

We constantly dwell on the past and worry about the future. However, living in the present isn’t easy for us humans. But boy, do we try our darndest to make it our normal like the mouse does. There are entire industries built around this goal. 

If we’re lucky, maybe we can live purely in the present for a few moments, but the worries and anxieties, fueled by our egos, always seem to percolate back to the surface of our consciousness.

And in case we do get on our high horse and somehow forget about our flaws, we have poets to humble us. To remind us each and every day how beautifully complex we are. So yeah, grieve the loss of promised joys, the plans that went painfully askew, and remember that the whole point of this is to remember we are not the first ones to experience these ups and downs, and we definitely won’t be the last. 

So take heart in knowing we’re not going through this alone. 

Writing Updates: 
Jon and I created a little spring THREE BEE HONEY comic for our friend, Sarah Giles. We wanted to capture the bee’s POV when the weather gets warmer. For us, it’s time to enjoy some sunshine, but for bees, it’s time to get to work. 

Current Read: Scattered, by Dr. Gabor Mate

When both of my kids were diagnosed with ADHD, I immediately felt overwhelmed and frantically grasped at every piece of information I could get my hands on. Podcasts, books, classes—you name it. Some resources proved to be more helpful than others. But Scattered is one of the more helpful books I’ve read about this topic. And Gabor Mate is SUCH a great writer. His lucid and engaging voice made it easy to digest so much rich information. 

Parenting has always been hard. But parenting in this day and age—when we’re overwhelmed and juggling so many responsibilities—is even harder. Since we’re not raising our kids in a “village” like our ancestors, I consider these authors to be part of my village, guiding me and giving me hard-earned wisdom as Jon and I navigate this path. 

I’m still learning and growing as a mom. While my kids have faced and will confront additional challenges due to being neurodivergent, I can better equip myself to understand, support, and guide them. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most. 

If you know a child or adult with ADHD, I highly recommend this book! 

Pet Pics:

Lilo enjoying some baseball and watching her big brother as he crosses home plate. 

Garden Updates:
Our fig trees are back in bloom! Looking forward to putting some slices of this sweet fruit on my salads and toast. 

Sanity Corner:
We recently purchased a new record player since our old one stopped working a while ago. And man….what a difference a great player makes! The sound is so much richer, and you catch nuances in the bass and drums layers that are easy to miss on other devices. 

​Also, since I wasn’t able to see No Doubt perform at Coachella, we jammed to some Tragic Kingdom from home. It made my inner 90s teenager so, so happy. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for a reunion tour. 

That’s all for now. Thank you so much for reading! I’ll be in touch again soon. 

Feel free to share this little newsletter with a friend! :)

Take care,
Desi

They say “breaking up is hard to do.” And if we’re talking about relationships, yes. It is hard. But when it comes to doing work—especially creative work—breaking things up doesn't just make things easier to do. It’s essential. 

Let me explain. 

About two years ago, when I sent a new full manuscript to our agent, I thought the story was finished. Dear reader, it wasn’t done. Far from it. 

I was the one who was done, apparently. So when she responded with several pages of editorial notes, I literally blacked out. I wasn’t mad. The notes were spot on. I was just completely drained of energy from everything—and I mean everything—life had thrown at me, which is another story for another post. At that point, I decided that I needed to focus on just surviving each week. 

Then I put the manuscript away and couldn’t look at it for nearly two years. 

Throughout that time, it kept gnawing at me. This was a story I wanted to tell. It was a more emotional one, a more difficult one. But I just couldn’t muster the energy to work through it. 

Finally, my brain said, “OKAY, fine! I’ll do this thing.” But it still felt like too much. Too big and overwhelming for my perpetually overloaded mind to tackle. 

So I decided to trick it. 

I told myself that I just need to do one page at a time. Just one. And if I do more, great! 

So I made it a point to wrestle with one page a day. After that was done, I’d add a sticker to the chart. My goal was to do some hardcore revision on 100 pages, since those were the hardest, which is why the chart has 100 boxes. 

Okay, sure. It’s an elementary school vibe. But I’m telling you: it works!

Doing this for several days actually lifted me from my creativity block and helped me build some much needed momentum. And actually seeing my progress has been very motivating. 

So if you’re facing a big project and you feel paralyzed by the sheer size and scope of it, trick your mind. Break it up. You don’t need stickers. But you DO want to try to do one single, quantifiable piece at a time. 

Because baby steps are still steps. 

After a few days of this, my hope is that you’ll look back and feel good about your progress. 

And that’s how life works, isn’t it? It’s not about having these gigantic, Earth-shattering accomplishments each and every day. It’s the habitual small actions we take that eventually add up to meaningful results. 

Writing Updates: 
Aside from me re-working a new manuscript, Jon’s nearly done inking the pages for the THREE BEE HONEY Crowdfundr campaign. This endeavor has been much slower than we’d like, but we’re making progress each day. Jon’s even been inking pages during our sons’ baseball games, as you can see here. 

Current Read: Hello, Universe, by Erin Entrada Kelly

I just started reading this book, which explores friendships that surprise us and the self-acceptance that grounds us. Right away, I was pulled into Hello, Universe as it opens with Virgil, a shy boy who’s guarding a big secret. Often misunderstood by his family, Virgil struggles with the angst of growing up and not fitting in. Each chapter switches point-of-view between the four middle school characters, which kept me turning the pages. 

Furthermore, I love how even the supporting characters are developed with so much depth and personality: like Virgil’s opinionated grandma, Lola, who’s from the Philippines. Kelly expertly plots each scene, twisting it in ways that force Virgil into an adventure with these unlikely friends. While I haven’t finished the book yet, I already can see how rich the characters are in the world Kelly built. This is definitely a story I would’ve found solace in during my middle school years. 

​Pet Pics: 

​Lilo is just like me: if it’s under 70 degrees outside, we’re freezing and MUST wear a hoodie all day. 

​Amelie and Finn try their best to fit on top of their tower and watch the rainfall. 

Sanity Corner:
I’m an absolute sucker for inspirational quotes. So much so that I keep a growing list of them on my phone. Later, when I want to share one with a friend or a stranger, boom! I’ve got the perfect, mic-dropping line. 

Well, maybe it’s not mic-dropping. But it’s at least thought-provoking. And that’s good enough for me. 

I also have this calendar with quotes for each day of the year. It’s a very small but fun way to set the tone for the day. The insufferable teacher in me sometimes asks one of my kids to read it aloud and share what they think it means. 

​That’s all for today. Thank you so much for reading! I’ll be in touch again next month. 

Feel free to share this little newsletter with anyone who’d enjoy it! :)

Take care,
Desi