One of the things burnout robs you of is the ability to be truly inspired. When you are burnt out, you often skip inspiration and land on something like jealousy or comparison. Because you view yourself as a machine who needs to produce, and you view other people’s creations as just reminders of how much you can’t do plus how much you have left to do.
I know that I’m recovering because I’m able to be inspired again. I hear ideas and don’t feel the churn of “Why can’t I do that?” It’s more like “What can I learn from that?” I share this because I always described myself as having a huge jealousy and comparison problem, but really…I was just burnt out and overstimulated. I viewed myself and everyone else as producing products instead of making art.
And Dune…it’s art. As I sat there in the audience I felt so deeply overwhelmed by the art. I was blown away by the vision. It was just a magical experience from beginning to end. It inspired me to make my version of a sci-fi story. I don’t want to create Dune but I am building my own version of a sci-fi expansive universe.
It’s been so nice to think bigger. Because of my work, I’m always thinking in self-contained small containers. I started my journey self-producing, so a smaller scope was required. But because I’m not making my story, I get to think big, and it’s been a really fun and exciting challenge.
That’s another thing. I’m getting used to not seeing a challenge as a threat but as something to embrace.
I have my world figured out. It’s going to be a sci-fi romantic comedy because I’m still me.
I’m not on social media much anymore and I’ve really enjoyed getting to experience Dune without the discourse. I do miss the fun Dune edits, though.
I was planning on doing a Dune review here but I don’t even know what I’d say. I just want to talk about it. I literally talk about it all the time.
Have you seen it? What do you think?
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Random thought I’d share if I were on social media:
I’m obsessed with Dune and I’ve been watching a lot of the behind-the-scenes interviews. Austin Butler seems like such a sweet and normal dude with a type of try-hard energy I really admire. I hated that Elvis movie but I like him. He’s incredible in the Dune 2 role and he SHOULD get an Oscar for it.
Here’s him and Florence with some kittens.
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Something I watched and LOVED: Contrapoints uploaded a monster of an essay on Twilight which I’ve been slowly working through the video (it’s almost 3 hours long!!!) and it’s about Twilight but it’s really about the desire politics which is something I’m DEEPLY invested in as a romantic comedy writer.
I learned a LOT from this video and it’s not even finished. Go check it out. I feel like I could spend hours talking about this project and how made me open my eyes to my own judgment of desires and how they come about
What I read this week: The First Lie Wins is a thriller with a romantic comedy element. It’s a really breezy fun read that I don’t want to explain too much. You just have to read it. I don’t even remember how I found it, but I listened to the audio book in a few days. I breezed through it! Guys! My friend and I are reading ACOTAR after this. Should I share my insights as I read?
Indie Fragrance of The Week: Bergamot and Heartbreak by Blackhearted Tart
It took forever to get here but I got a roll-on and some body wash. It smells SO FRESH and wonderful. You just smell clean. It was the very first smell I really loved and decided to full size.
Plant Of The Week: I’m feeling very inspired by my giant Monsterra today. It needs a new pot, but as Leo says in Plant Daddy, it IS such a great beginner plant. For YEARS, they were so expensive. In fact, the one I’ve had for almost four years was maybe 45 bucks, and now you can get them for 15 dollars at your local grocery store.
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I cannot critically analyze most things but dune 2 was for sure an amazing experience. I want to rewatch it soon. Everyone’s acting was amazing!