Peek into the self-doubting recesses of my writer-mind
And behind-the-scenes at The New Yorker "Centoonial" party
Hi friends,
Thanks for stopping by the dangerous streetcorner that is BIZZY IN YOUR BOX. On the outskirts of these monthly emails, Bizzy’s troubling thoughts lurk in foggy shadows.
Thoughts about writing and not writing. Thoughts about creativity and the opposite of that. Thoughts crammed with self-doubt. Bushels of shoulds and shouldn’ts, what ifs and why’d-ya-do-thats.
Thoughts like:
[Insert any of my writing projects here] might be the greatest thing I’ve ever written, or the worst. There’s only one way to find out. *Shows nobody*
What if another writer has already written something like [insert any of my writing projects here], and, if so, will people accuse me of plagiarism? How will I prove my innocence? Will trying to prove my innocence make me appear guilty? Is it better to simply accept that I am a plagiarist at heart?
Who do I think I am? Am I delusionally optimistic about my writing, and I need a more critical eye? Or am I too critical, and I need a bit more delusion? Either way, am I not seeing reality? Why is reality so important, anyway? Isn’t reality just perception? Aren’t there a million versions of reality? Can’t I make my own reality? I should watch some reality TV and find out.
People are sick of hearing about my book. I am sick of hearing about my book. *Runs into a good friend who has never heard of my book* Okay maybe I should talk more about my book.
Do I need to totally rework [insert any of my rejected pieces here] from scratch, or do I need to submit it to 100 other publications in a rush of black-out desperation? There is no in between. I must take action immediately, because writing has an expiration date and at any moment these words could blow up, grow mold or explode. *Instead takes a nap*
I should have a more disciplined creative schedule. No, no, I should have a more flexible creative schedule. The word “schedule” feels like pressure. I should come up with a word that has more positive connotations. Program. Process. Playtime. Sandboxing. Sandcastling. Sandstorming. Sandblasting. I hate getting sand in my shoes. Sand is just dirt. Why do people love rolling around in sand? I should have a more disciplined creative schedule.
If writing is so confusing and confounding, why even do it? And how dare I whine about it? Nobody is forcing me to write. It’s entirely self-inflicted. I guess it’s one of the better things one might inflict upon oneself. At least there’s that.
When I post about my writing on social media, am I adding to the trashpile of meaningless noise that’s destroying our culture? If I don’t post about my writing on social media, how will I connect with other members of the trashpile? As long as everyone else is in the trashpile, I kind of want to be there, too.
Is the above list interesting to the BIZZY IN YOUR BOX readership in any way at all, or is it good old-fashioned spoiled-brat complainerism? The fact that I’m even debating this means I have too much time on my hands. I should be working more. I need health insurance.
Enough with the self-flagellatory!
On with the self-congratulatory!
Flash fiction in The Catskiller
I really enjoy being part of a rural literary community. The Catskiller is a free newsprint publication with art and words from kids and adults, all across the Catskills region. They’ve generously included my teeny tiny story “No Bird She Knows” in the Winter 2025 issue.
Bizzy on The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest Podcast
Co-cartoonist Lia Strasser and I chatted about how we met in a coffee shop two years ago, how we started making cartoons together one year ago, and how our different senses of humor and working styles make our collab delicious. (Our 55-minute interview begins at 22:25).
Bizzy celebrates The New Yorker “Centoonial”
Have YOU been duped by a misleading Airbnb listing?
New here? Some of my favorite posts.
Bizzy’s upcoming events
Open Mic First Fridays
Free! Fri. May 2, 2025 from 6:15pm-8:30pm
Western Sullivan Public Library - Delaware Free Branch, 45 Lower Main Street, Callicoon, NY
An hour of open mic for local poets and writers, followed by an hour of Bizzy. I’ll read selections from my book and a sneak peek at what I’m working on next.
Yarnslingers: Inspired by Song
Free! Sun. May 18, 2025 from 2–4pm
Bodhi Tree Studio, 214 6th Street, Suite B, Honesdale, PA
In this special edition of Yarnslingers, writers have crafted true stories inspired by songs, which have in turn inspired artists from Wayne County Arts Alliance to create original artworks. Hear the stories read aloud with the art on display.
Hey. You rock.
Thanks for reading this mish-mash of mind-splashes.
See you next month to celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of BIZZY IN YOUR BOX!
xoxo
Bizzy
P.S. My pal Kate translated my short humor piece “How to Move Heavy Furniture By Yourself” into Irish! Here’s us reading it in English and Irish.
P.P.S. Happy birthday to me on March 21!
Wow Bizzy, you've done it again!
Are you inside my head? This is my exact creative sandstorm.