The Report—April 28

Recently, I've of course been pondering the visibility of Words Like Silver, working on stretching out my creative muscles and getting more eyes on my work. Up until now, I've been happy with my existing audience (still am) and the authority thereof. But, of course, if I can expand myself more visibly, then I can do more of what makes me happy (this) during my work week.

I've also stuck mostly to writing about books these past few months since re-launch, but will expand more into lifestyle and culture content once I have the post-book revision bandwidth.

I've collected lots of little tricks in the few weeks or so that I've been getting myself primed to expand. Mirror selfies feel easier than full on look-at-me pictures because my phone can hide my face (but also, that's a double standard, because I don't view people who film themselves as narcissists—I only feel it myself when I try to do so.)

Voice notes are surprisingly easier (and fun!), but I'm not yet at the comfort level of talking to the camera full-on. I can make rules like: if I'd normally post something on my Instagram story, try throwing it on Substack or TikTok instead. Just as an image. Even training the muscle memory will help when I'm ready to strategize for more growth.

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Anyway, on a related note, I've realized that I've largely gotten out of the habit of documenting my week via photos, videos, snippets, you name it. I’ve almost overcorrected on the archival attempts. From a memory standpoint, the gaps mean I definitely lose some of the nuance and sensory variation that a given week brings me; from a purely online perspective, I get to the end of the week and have no content bank to smooth, glamorize, package, etc,. in the ways that make social media creativity easy. Some of it can definitely be on autopilot! So I should get back in that habit.

The Weekly Report

Some book-related creators online especially have started this very cute weekly summary of what they call their weekly R.E.P.O.R.T—what they're reading, eating, playing (exploring), obsessing over, recommending, and treating. Some of these categories feel like they overlap, but it feels like a fun lil' snippet-style overview that can help me push more in other categories, short 'n sweet. So without further ado—let's try it! (On that note, I will actually start posting on Succinctish and the @succinctish Instagram this week now too.)

Reading

incapable of going to the beach without at least eight entertainment options

Of course, y'all usually know what I'm reading and obsessing over. I am a reader who will be "in the middle of" approximately 16 books at once, as my pacing varies widely for each. I've been reading The Brothers K by David James Duncan in chunks of 50 pages on the beach, so have been working on that one forever. But I could also sit down and inhale Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage in about two hours flat. This spring, I've barely touched Gothics in either YA or adult, largely because I don't want to overthink and get nervous while preparing my own book to be evaluated by various editors.

So, a sampling:

• The Brothers K by David James Duncan — good ol' American family epic covering brothers, religion, masculinity, and baseball. I actually started this one because it was on a list of favorites I started and then was too stubborn not to finish. It's not my favorite from this list, and I actually don't know whether the person meant The Brothers Karamazov instead; because of how my brain works, I'll probably read both.
• Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage — the kickoff of an ultra-popular Western romance series (with a fabulously vintage cover) about the semi-retired barrel racer returning home to find that her older brother's best friend is not the troublemaker he used to be (classic—review coming)—
• Collide by Bal Khabra — very much loved Spiral by the same author, which I picked up on my flight from Montreal. I'm happy to continue this series, and have been enjoying it, but I majorly slowed in the middle because the last 30% or so of the book has just been endless smut (which may be your thing, but I need a smidge more plot to keep my interest!) Overall enjoying—
• Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour — rereading this gentle, glowing, gorgeous "love letter to L.A." focused on a set designer unraveling one of Hollywood's old mysteries, and I'm excited to get to write a fresh review. Nina LaCour is awarded yet still feels somehow underrated for her command of atmosphere and tenderness—
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee — rereading (for the first time since high school) this Southern classic after its mention and the reminder in one of my favorite books, Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (which is how my brain works.)
• On Muscle by Bonnie Tsui — almost done with this microhistory of strength training and symbolism (in essence), but similarly am situational about it. It's a short, engrossing read, and I've managed to read most of it in ten-minute chunks on the black matted floor of my gym while waiting for my workout class to start. I'll associate this book forever with a feeling of profound soreness in the midst of my latest physical conditioning run.

Eating

a message from the general store

Related: how the hell do y'all get enough protein? If you're supposedly supposed to eat one gram for every pound of body weight—I feel like a pretty well-balanced eater, but I've been trying and miserably failing to reach the threshold.

Now that book revision is over, I've actually been cooking for myself more so than throwing together a panicked five-minute meal, and feeling very smugly satisfied about how I swear I was right by saying "it was just the book" keeping me from being so-called together in that realm of life too. I would like to experiment in the culinary realm more, eventually. But as one gal, it’s easier to just autopilot.

More of a happy list than an eating list here, but I've been really into iced strawberry matcha from Mele Mele Bakery in Waialua, spicy poké from Waialua General Store (always), toasted turkey sandwiches at home for lunch, and a product rec for y'all: I've tried (in my capacity as a reviewer) a ton of various protein powders from brands at this point, and really like the Happy Viking Iced Coffee shake from Venus Williams's line. So that's all in the rotation.

Playing

at ballet

April is for activities, y'all. I've been on the beach when possible, practicing guitar (poorly), and revving up in my other hobbies. As mentioned, I hit the gym hard again, and again—there's something very special about seeing a "piece" of myself return during a different season. I was active while rewriting my book, but the mental fatigue was no joke, so it felt very much like I was checking my boxes rather than really pushing myself physically for either satisfaction or growth.

Hobby-wise, I'm back dancing again. I took a jazz funk class the other week and died because I can't remember choreography for the life of me (so have to do some memory exercises and cross-training there. But in ballet last week, I actually felt at the top of my game (and maybe the class.) I have such a ballet body that it's not even funny, and the muscle memory of a barre routine came back to me and my lines so quickly. So ballet's the sweet spot for now, but I'd also love to be at the point of getting those speedy, high-impact routines back too.

In terms of new things—I'm going outdoor climbing with a friend this week for the first time in years, and I'm nervous but excited! He's about to leave the island (the downside of being friends with military folks who rotate out this year), and I'm honored to steal some of his time and thrilled to get some natural awe on an area of the island I've barely explored. I may hit a climbing clinic at the gym in town first because I don't want to be underprepared, but I think it'll be a good experience, even if it's an embarrassing one. Plus, if I get to write a sequel…rock-climbing will feature.

I actually meant it to myself when I said I'd go around the island more post-book, so I've spent way more time than ever on the East Side or in town, which I appreciate. The last year of executing my revision has felt so destabilizing for lack of a better word, so there's something gratifying about knowing I keep my promises to myself and see my goals through, that having a temporary capacity struggle is different not being capable of doing so.

It's nice to feel O'ahu get bigger for me, and to realize that although I had to do tunnel vision to make my book happen, it's not "me" making my world smaller for a spell.

Obsessing

Aside from the above? Hmm. Reading a ton, watching old dance routines, getting perfectionist about my gym habits, etc,. I'm not watching much right now, but here's a good place for that:

• I've been rewatching The Vampire Diaries with some friends (probably my favorite show of all time—the plotting and atmosphere are both unreal) and we sync up our episodes so I can pop by to join after ballet. Loved that.
• I made the mistake of getting my mother hooked on SEAL Team in the fall, and she's absolutely devouring it. It's unfortunately addictive! She's ahead of me, as it's more of a "cleaning" show for me I'll put on while tidying up my place, but she's desperate for me to get to season 2, episode 13—whatever that means.
• Really have been listening to Nathaniel Rateliff's And It's Still Alright on repeat, which means one day, I'll hear it and flash back so viscerally to the current moment.

Recommending

the best swimwear

I took a break from writing magazine reviews this spring while working on the book—and taking on a marketing contract for a bit of a drafting break after churning for so many months in a row—but it feels good to get back into it. Some deadlines up ahead, but here are my own specifics:

• Bodile Arabella Leotard ($89) — This was a purchase I circled around for weeks before eventually making. I wring my hands a lot before buying anything; I am rarely an impulse shopper, especially for clothing. But when I decided to go back to ballet, my leotards from high school were so worn out—and my studio at the time had a classic all-black rule. Opting for color, and this gorgeous mesh low-back, felt practically rebellious. I finally took the plunge (and love its plunge) and absolutely adore every opportunity to wear this leotard. It’s so soft and elegant, and it feels great in class. (I know this is a niche rec.)
• Left on Friday Sunday Top ($95) — I went to Mexico with Left on Friday in the fall, which was an incredible trip, and the brand tackles the two-in-one functionality that I relish for travel, budgeting, style, and more. For one, their colors are all gorgeous and the shapes are flattering; for another, the utility is unmatched. You can genuinely wear all their tops during a tough workout (tried and tested) or into the water. Although they’re expensive à la carte, after experiencing the brand in reality, I have a really hard time believing I'll veer towards another swimsuit brand for any reason that's not purely related to maximalism. I’ve been living in these lately, enough that I’ve considered adding another item or so to the rotation.
• TJ Maxx Man Cave Candle (~$15) — unlinked, but this three-wick candle smells incredible while working. Do I know what "masculine aromas" entails, exactly? Not at all. But it’s cozy with a yawn, a coffee, and a morning typing away.

Treating

In terms of small fixations, I have a very distinctive image of the type of outfit I want to put together for my supposed author photos (as I am desperately overdue for headshots anyway), and want to use the moment to buy myself something new—or rent it. Like I said, I’m reluctant to ever hit “add to cart.” But I have a vision.

Hannah wants me to use this headshot, but I feel like it's a bit too bare and that my soft smile looks a little odd. Plus, it's probably slightly too young by the time my book would come out! Right? I do love that it feels like a vintage writer though.

From 2020, I believe?

I get very shy whenever I have to get photos of myself like this, so it's been years and years. I can do artistic photos no problem, but modeling for a smiling shot just feels different. Even the photo on my about page was a tester photo while a friend was figuring out the lighting for her camera.

I also tend to memorialize my most significant moments with jewelry I wear everyday, but am kind of maxed out on rings at the moment (because I would hope, someday, to have another ring or two on my finger!) My school, my summer camp attendance, my family, my grandma's passing…

I like my necklaces as is, and don't plan on ever getting another tattoo unless one of my most significant loved ones died—which would be something very subtle and small just for me.

So the fun material brainstorm now that most of this agent-side editing process is behind me is: how do I want to mark this book? It deserves the gravity. So I'm stalking some jewelry sites for an appropriate momento to pay tribute to the eight-ish years of work on Mountain Sounds so far.

I thought maybe a charm bracelet or necklace setup, where I could add a letter or tag for each book I write and publish? But many of them require you to commit to a set number of charms before making the purchase. So I'm brainstorming what has the appropriate gravity. (Also, this definitely sort-of fits all the romantic and marriage metaphors I use for the book and process.)

When I bought my Jane ring, I got the Rhone Band from GLDN. I knew 14K gold was a necessary splurge, so I could shower and swim and exercise in it and all. (I rarely take off my jewelry.)

GLDN did a lovely job with the inscription, shipping, etc,. and were incredibly kind about it being a memorial piece. Their prices have hiked since I purchased from them, but the book is a worthwhile moment to memorialize. Similarly though—I'm not entirely sure what I’m drawn to, or what to say or symbolize. The book title could change someday. Relevant dates? Probably not. It’s still very much a half-baked idea I'm cooking up.

I loved the idea of this personalized library card charm from Catbird, but respectfully—that’s far too expensive. $610 is not frugal enough for me, and if I do charms, I’d hope to one day collect multiple. Plus, I'm picky about fonts. I'm not a big shopper, which ironic considering my job, and am practical enough about my purchases to drive my mother up the wall. But I can’t help but think of everything in terms of what proportion of my rent it occupies, and this would be too high a percentage!