Eleven years together

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I want to say today. On the one hand, it’s a great day. Paper Beats World has been around for eleven years. That’s longer than Stephen Colbert’s been hosting The Late Show. (If you wonder how I feel about him getting cancelled, go watch John Stewart’s response. That about sums up my feelings.)

I’ve written at least three posts a month for eleven years. And that’s an accomplishment. I should be proud. I should be grateful. I should be celebrating.

I am grateful. I can’t believe I’ve found a community of people who want to talk about writing with me. I can’t believe I’ve been yapping away here about writing and reading for this long, and you’re still here.

Thank you for that. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

All that being said, this has been a hard year. It’s been a living nightmare. As many of you already know, my husband had a stroke in December. And he is getting better. He’s healing. But it’s been a long journey, and there are still so many challenges ahead of us.

This is to say nothing of the challenges we’re facing as Americans. Like the startling rise of fascism, poverty rising, and the ever-present threat of shootings in places that should be sacred.

Are we feeling great again, yet?

All of this is to say that 2025 has been another hard year in a series of hard fucking years. And through all of it, a couple of things have kept me going. Animals on Instagram, the loving support of my friends and family, and art.

Art has kept me alive. Has given me reasons to smile. Has helped heal my husband’s broken brain. Has given us something to bond over together.

Let’s start with music. I have experienced so many new good songs this year. Some that inspire me to dance. Some to sing along at the top of my lungs. Some that remind me that I’m not crazy to be angry. I’m not alone in being angry. I’m not alone in being scared.

You can listen to my ever-changing playlist here if you want. Or, just look at my weird music taste and laugh about it.

Then, of course, there have been books. So many new books by authors I love have come out. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, The Bewitching, Sunrise on the Reaping, Never Flinch, and most recently Dead Husband Cookbook. These were all fantastic books that brought so much joy into my life.

I’ve discovered new authors, like Marcus Kliewer and Josh Malerman. And I’ve read some older books I’ve never gotten around to, like Horrorstor and Long Quiet Highway.

Books have even helped my husband. We’ve been reading one of his favorites, Out of This Furnace, together. And I can see his speech improving every day.

Stories are once again saving me.

So I’ll stick around. I’ll keep writing. It might be slower than before. I might not always post on Friday at six in the morning. But I’m going to keep trying. Because in this ever-darkening world, we need all the light we can get. And all of you, coming here every week to hopefully get a smile or some good advice from me, you’re one thing that brings a hell of a lot of light into my life.

There are better days ahead. Stay tuned with me.