Thoughts on the Jewish New Year

and getting back to work

Hi friends,

This weekend was the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, one of our high holy days and a day of reflection. If you celebrate, I wish you Shana Tova! It’s always made so much sense to me that the Jewish New Year aligns with the beginning of fall and the start of the school year for students. It feels naturally like a time of transitions and new beginnings.

A beautifully braided round challah made by my 15-year-old, who always makes more beautiful challahs than I do

This year, it feels even moreso for me, because, as I wrote last week, I’ve spent the first half of September dealing with medical issues—and now I’m on the mend. It’s also been about two weeks since I’ve done any writing, which is the longest I can remember going without it in recent years. It’s been both a bit destabilizing and a bit freeing. Destabilizing because writing is my meditation. It’s the way I process the world and my feelings. Without it, I feel somewhat unmoored. Freeing because I used the time to rest. To do actual meditation and give more attention to my family.

While I’m very much looking forward to getting back to my almost-daily writing practice and to my novel that desperately wants attention, I’m also looking forward to achieving more balance in the New Year. I’m not yet sure how to make it happen, but I’m convinced it’s a worthwhile goal!

With the New Year, I also find myself in a transition time with my writing itself. My debut novel Endpapers has been out for more than half a year. The Big Feelings and the drumbeat of promotion have quieted. And I’m more than halfway through a new novel draft. So my focus has been shifting from publishing to creating, and I find myself craving a wider writing community. Instead of submitting work for publication, I’ve been getting back in touch with my love of the drafting process and applying for residencies and workshops. It feels like this is exactly where I want to be in the New Year—remembering all that’s fun and nourishing about making art.

The big question that’s been on my mind this weekend as I think about getting back to it is: After two weeks away, can I even do it? But I know the answer is yes. First, I may not be writing, but I’ve been doing some incredible reading (One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid, and Matrix by Lauren Groff), so the inspiration is strong. And second, I just need to tap into all that beautiful meditation I’ve been doing. Observe the doubt and fear without getting attached to it. Gently keep turning back to the work.

Nevertheless, I admit I’m still nervous and hope you’ll wish me luck. I wish you whatever you need this week, writing or otherwise. Meanwhile, I look forward to next time.

Yours,

Jen