We’ve reached another Sunday, and so we bring you a Sunday Summary for the week of 14 February 2022-19 February 2022. It’s been an exciting week at 2 Rules of Writing for our community of writers. They’ve brought us heartfelt pieces about popular media this week, as well as some insightful ones about the writing experience. It’s been an interesting few days for the 2 Rules cats, too. Here’s what our contributors have had to say:
Monday
“I have a running not-quite joke that my first book, my eventual biography, and my epitaph will all be called: “Pretty Words about Ugly Things.”
Erika continues to take us along on her journey as a writer, often sharing her hesitation at owning the label “writer” for herself. Erika shares her own joy and insecurity. Erika emphasizes the importance of community to her endeavor. And how uncertainty continues to dog her steps. She celebrates reaching a new place in her own journey as a writer. And she wonders aloud what comes next.
Tuesday
“…we’re still waiting for love and we’re still waiting for summer.”
Adam honors an important teacher while also teaching us about literary criticism. He explores the personal side of literature and the ways that criticism is personal through the lens of Amanda McBroom’s song “The Rose” (popularized by Bette Midler) and reminds us how much heart goes into both writing and reviewing.
Wednesday
” …one voice in my head tells me my English is very good. I’m a teacher, after all. Another voice tells me I’ll never be good enough.”
Last month Erik talked about reviews and rejection–topics that could shake anyone’s confidence. This month he reminds us once again that writing is not a solitary activity. The need for socializing and support too often gets taken for granted. Writers need community, not just the people who read their work, but collaborators, editors, beta readers and companions to help keep them going, and to help them grow as writers. After all, if there were going to be three rules of writing, the third would be “Writing is not a solo activity.”
Thursday
“…I want to believe in the little boy nerd inside James Cameron who was inspired to make a film of this breadth and magnitude.”
We welcome a new contributor with a piece from Sarah V. Itzkoff! Sarah revisits her childhood love for the movie Titanic. Then takes us on a journey through the experience of seeing the film. Then discusses how the film holds up to our contemporary lens. We’re excited to see what else Sarah brings us in the coming months.
Friday
Adam: “She captured that phase in adolescence-to-early-adulthood where anger really does cloud out your other emotions, even to the point where you have angry sex and that turns into an angry sleepover and then, I don’t know, you angrily make omelettes the next morning.”
Erika: “If you’re not a chronic illness- or pain-sufferer; if you take one thing away from the video, what Zach says at the end about listening to disabled people is it.”
Adam and Erika brought you their regular set of weekly recommendations for things to watch, listen and read. This week includes a heavy emphasis on classical music. But also a great analysis of Alanis Morissette. Oh, and the latest update from Adam on his current reading of the Wheel of Time series. Book 10, if you can believe it. And along with that, Erika and Adam still take time to look at gender roles, heteronormativity, and how film companies continue to bait the queer community. Erika also brought you another visit to Button Poetry’s video contest. Not to be missed is a link to a very important video about living with chronic pain. And a discussion of the relevant issues.
Saturday
“If Little Cat is so smart, why does he feel the need to use obscenities? Can’t he express himself without resorting to those words?”
This week was filled with adventure for Big Cat and Little Cat. While Erika was occupied with important human-tasks like bringing in groceries, Little Cat decided a quest for new experiences was in order and took off out the front door. All of that led to this week’s Caturday episode of Big Cat, Little Cat. Those adventures in the great outdoors led to a weekly question about obscenities. Starting with the ones Erika was yelling as Little Cat ran off.
We’ll continue to bring you the incredible writing and diverse stories we’ve been bringing you. There might even be a podcast appearance to listen to soon, too. We hope you’ll keep reading and sharing our stories and maybe even contributing some of your own. There is always room in our little community for another writer or visual artist..