Joss Whedon, New Taylor, and Jamie. Freakin'. Dornan.
This week's edition of Simon Says.
This is Simon Says, Rachel Simon’s weekly newsletter that’s part life updates, part pop culture recs, and part whatever else is going on in her brain at the moment. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for more, and subscribe here to get this in your inbox every Sunday night.
Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! Here’s to all of the significant others, family members, friends, and pets filling our lives with love. (And to Chrissy Teigen’s Chex Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies, which I made on Friday and have continued to snack on all weekend. I used pre-made dough, but the full recipe is here.)
Anyhoo, here’s what’s been going on this week:
What I’m writing
I made some really good progress on the novel this week! I’m up to about 19,000 words, which actually feels like something. I did decide to change the book from past to present tense, which is a choice I very well might regret later on, but for now, it works.
Also, I did some *very* exciting interviews this week for that freelance project I’m working on, which I still can’t share details about yet but trust me, it’s gonna be a fun one.
What I’m reading
I finished Joan Didion’s essay collection, Let Me Tell You What I Mean, which was as sharp and thought-provoking as you’d expect from her.
I’m now reading Big Friendship, a non-fiction book by Call Your Girlfriend podcast hosts Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman about (what else?) friendship. It’s a mix of their own story and insight into the complexity of friendship overall, and so far, I’m really enjoying it.
Article-wise, I’ve been reading some of the takes on the horrible Joss Whedon allegations, including this great one by my friend and former co-worker Sage Young. It really gets at why the claims are so painful for fans of Buffy, one of the most feminist and (IMO) important shows of all time.
What I’m watching
Last night, we watched Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, which was… insane. The less you know about this movie going in, the better, so just take my word that it’s absolutely worth the watch. If you have seen it, please talk to me about Jamie Dornan.
Also, I started watching I Hate Suzie after reading so many rave reviews, and so far, it’s living up to the hype. If you like Fleabag, Search Party, or other super-smart dark comedies centering around women, this show’s for you.
What I’m listening to
New! Taylor! Swift! The re-recorded version of “Love Story” made me emotional and brought me back to the days of my side bangs-having, Ugg-wearing, angst-feeling youth. What a time, y’all.
Closing thoughts
I’m teaching a new writing class starting mid-March! Sign up here to reserve a spot into Writing for the Internet II, a Zoom-held, 6-week course that dives deeper into pitching and digital media.
Just out of curiosity, I did a Twitter poll to find out what was the last movie most of us saw in theaters, and it turns out the answer is… Emma! Congrats to Anya Taylor-Joy and her total dominance of 2020.
I cannot wait for Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s take on Mr. and Mrs. Smith, otherwise known as the sexiest movie of all time.
This story about a real-life treasure hunt in New York is absolutely riveting and I want everyone to read it, right now.
Lastly, it’s Ellie’s second birthday tomorrow! Send her (and us) your best wishes as she enters her Terrible Twos. JK, she’s perfect.
Let me know if you have any thoughts, questions, or ideas for the newsletter that you want to see in future ideas! Hope you all have a great week.
-Rachel