Spooning

Cat Hellisen
February 23, 2026

Stretch your ghost wings and scream

No Not Like That

Spoons, having them and running out, is so much a part of our online language these days, and the meaning so diminished that i hesitate to use it.

But for the first time in the 2 ½ months since I quit my job, I have managed to actually sit down properly and write a (fairly substantial for me) amount of words on the WiP.

It has taken me that long to get the spoons again, and only now, looking at my life do I realise how much I need the accommodations and grace that I give to other people but not myself.

I have two chronic ailments that can result in a lot of pain and fatigue. Despite this, I also choose to do a fairly strenuous sport because it’s really good for my mental health and I feel depressed if I don’t do it.

Today, I have an office space that I can work in and not feel like I’m forcing my writing life into a little cranny where it will fit. I’m not sidelining it like it’s ‘just a stupid hobby’.

I’m tackling the little unfinished projects in the house, one small step at a time, with the knowledge that I will get it done because now I have the time and the space. My house is relatively clean and not just a tip. I know what I’m making for food tonight.

I am willingly writing a gd newsletter.

And now I’m going to take the dog on a leisurely walk that we will both enjoy, and not a quick trot around the green.

What I’m Reading

I finished the (rather grim but excellent) Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin, and figured a) I need a change in tone, and b) to tackle my horrendous, taunt TBR pile.

So today I start Catriona Silvey’s Love & Other Paradoxes, which is a an SF romcom, and therefore totally outside my normal vibes. Should be fun!

Advice for Writers

Not from me, but from my agent Caro Clarke at Portobello Literary.

They have a series of posts about the process of being agented, what happens when your book goes on sub — all very useful reading and I recommend looking through their posts — but this one resonated because a) I have been there multiple times and b) I know I’m far from alone:

So Your Book Didn’t Sell…Now What?

The difference between a published writer and an unpublished one is that the published writer persisted in writing and seeking publication until they were published. There’s no secret method to it. Writing is something we can all do for our own enjoyment, but being published is a different matter — it’s a business.

Caro Clarke

And with their advice in mind, it’s time to carry on working on my other projects.

Until next time,