001 | A Letter From Me to You
Dear Friends,
I’ve been thinking of how to write you almost every other day for the past three weeks, truly. I want this letter to be filled with intention and to give you value, but I have not been sure how to do either of those things. Maybe I am already? I also can’t know this for sure.
This morning I was reading Steinbeck’s Journal of a Novel, as has become my custom in the mornings, and truth be told, has been my custom many mornings. I suppose I’ve been reading this book for perhaps over 15 years now, and it has become a personal sacred text. The book contains letters Steinbeck wrote to his friend and editor, Pascal Covici, before he would begin writing each morning as a way to get his mind and hand loose before working on his book, which would become East of Eden.
I’ve been writing a series of letters to one of my dear friends, and I thought, why not also write to my newsletter in this same manner? A simple letter with what I’ve been thinking. Perhaps there is not enough direction in this approach? Who knows. But I feel it is certainly honest, as I love writing letters, and it is a joy to write one to you all as I would with pen and paper. As I write this one, I am sitting on my grey couch at 6:20 AM.
The year has started anew, and I must admit, although I have begun working on several projects, I don’t feel I have hit a rhythm of working yet. So what have I been working on while remaining radio silent the past month? There is too much to put in one letter, so let me tell you about three for now.
A NEW SINGLE - The album art for the single What The Water Gave, is almost ready. I will share it with you once it is finalized. The song will release in March, followed by the full release of the Human to Human EP, most likely in May. I should mention, you all still have exclusive early access to purchasing the digital version of the EP if you would like to have it now. I will keep the link LIVE for the remainder of January. (link at bottom of letter)
A NEW PLAYLIST - I am starting a playlist with my dear friend Kelsey Yandura, aptly titled, Sad Songs Make Me Feel Better. I am thrilled about this collaboration. I have been realizing in a new light recently how it is necessary and important to embrace the sadness in our lives instead of denying it, which I’ve often tried to do, and that embracing it actually helps in moving through it, and for me, music is a massive part of this movement. The playlist is simply for fun, and we will updating the list with 7 new songs every Monday, alternating who is curating every other week.
A BOOK OF POETRY - The past few years have spawned a slow and steady growth in love for reading and writing poetry. It has taken some time to get confidence in even admitting I write poetry at all, but I find it is such a vehicle for processing and healing that I must continue to lean into it and now, also share it. I am writing consistently for the book and hope to release it this fall/winter.
So there, my first newsletter written more like a letter. I wonder if I will continue in this way? We shall see. If you have any thoughts on the matter, please don’t hesitate to respond to this email and let me know. In fact, any feedback at all would be incredibly helpful. What have you enjoyed about these letters? Not enjoyed so much? Would like to see less of? More of? These letters are truly to offer you all something more and deeper, and I would love to make it what YOU want it to be, as best I can.
Hoping you all have a lovely day as the weekend approaches. And please do let me know what you think of today's letter. I would truly love to hear from you.
Much love,
Shel
P.S. Here is the link for early access to Human to Human, which will be available until the end of January.
