Two years ago today my Emerson Page book went on pre-sale on Amazon. What a wild two years it’s been since as I finish the manuscript of the second book in the series this week. The journey to publication was long (8 years), but worth it. Keep writing.
Joy today: Expect magic
Every day I wake up with the mantra, “Something magical is going to happen today.” This causes me to seek it out – a moment of fascination, wonder, joy. We find what we seek. Except what you’ll accept – it’s a life-changing mindset. Have a magical Monday.
Joy today: Finding peace in grief
Today my family is feeling a tragic, unexpected loss of a friend. We aren’t unique in our grief. I know there are many people suffering loss. These words from Stephen Colbert and Anderson Cooper helped me. If you’re hurting now, I hope they help you, too.
Joy today: Two weeks of heads-down writing
Here’s to two solid weeks of heads down writing to finish my second novel by 8/31. This weekend I completely revamped the plot line. Tough work and worth it. Don’t be afraid to do this. If what you’ve written isn’t working, toss it onto the slush pile and try again. Don’t let the good keep you from the great.
Joy today: Can mussels be the solution to our water crisis?
What is it about biomimicry that has me so fired up to make it the center of my business career? It’s articles like this piece on NPR about how mussels can clean oil and heavy metals from water. Nature holds the key to so many problems we have. It already knows what to do; it already has the solutions we are so desperate to find. (And given the state of our planet, our desperation is justified!) Our job now is to listen, to watch, to observe, and then replicate what works. We can do this. (Big thanks to my dear friend, Edith Gonzalez, who helped me find a new way forward when I was at first unsure, and to Brian McCormack, who sent me this article and constantly helps me find the light amidst so much darkness.
Joy today: I’m going to Sci Comm Camp in November
I found summer camp for science nerds – but even better because it’s during the Fall, my favorite season. And I’m going!
Yesterday I was listening to Ologies podcast and Alie Ward mentioned Sci Comm Camp, a gathering that takes place over a long weekend in November outside of LA. There are workshops, fun presentations, and plenty of downtime to connect with people who love science and are passionate about sharing science with others.
Given my graduate studies in biomimicry at Biomimicry 3.8 and Arizona State University, my desire to spread this practice as far and wide as possible, and my love for collaborating and learning from others, this seems like the perfect event for me. Plus, I’m hoping to sneak in a trip to see some L.A. pals while I’m there. Already looking forward to November!
Joy today: I’ll finish writing my second novel this month
“I’m restless. Things are calling me away. My hair is being pulled by the stars again.” ~ Anaïs Nin
August is by all accounts a slow month. People go on vacation, business slows down, and we all take a collective breath before Fall. I believe in the power of radical focus so I’ll be in a very hefty period of heads down writing for the rest of the month. I know this time is an invaluable gift and I feel so fortunate. I have to put this time to the best possible use. My goal is to finish my second novel by August 31st. A story calls and I must write it.
Joy today: The camera doesn’t make the film
Today’s filmmaking lesson: the quality of the camera only gets you so far. What matters more is the filmmaker’s taste and ability to tell a story. A film with a lower grade camera and an A+ filmmaker will create a far better film than a high-end camera and a mediocre filmmaker. A class can teach you about techniques and the technology. It cannot give you taste. It cannot give you the story. That is up to you. Yes, a camera will give you the settings you need, the resolution, etc. But what matters most is what you put in the frame and how that frame drives the audience to keep asking, “And then what happened?” Without that emotional need-to-know, the greatest camera in the world will do nothing for a filmmaker.
Joy today: Fear of writing
I’ve learned that being afraid to write something is a very healthy thing. It shows that you’re going to have to risk something to tell that story. This raises the stakes. It puts energy and excitement into the language. Feel the fear, and write anyway.
Joy today: How making a movie teaches life lessons
Yesterday I had my first meeting to be considered as a director of photography on a small film. Still many more meetings to have and it’s by no means a done deal, but just the fact that this meeting happened at all so early on in my Double or Nothing Media venture is thrilling!
In my camera class we talked about the concepts of critical focus and framing each shot with the subject of greatest significance. Parallels between filmmaking and life aren’t lost on me. I’m grateful for the reminder and encouragement as I make massive changes in my life and career right now. It takes a village to start and run a business.
Christa Avampato 