Dare I say the word 'newsletter'? I do, I do.
- Jason Haskins
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Once, in the hallowed grounds of this website, I wrote and published a monthly newsletter apprising loyal readers what I had been up to. Mostly, this revolved around what I'd been writing and working on, plus what I'd been watching, reading, and listening to. So, basically, the art created, the art consumed.
Over time, updates disappeared. Life went on.
Consider this post a rare return to a previous iteration of past life, here in the present, with an update in the world of Jason.
To briefly begin outside the trials and tribulations of writing, etc., I have been a substitute teacher for the last six, seven (iykyk) months to help fill the void where a full-time job should go. Okay, I suppose it is a full-time job in its own right when I step in for eight hours a day, somewhere in the Treasure Valley, five days a week (most weeks). I want to applaud the teachers who carry teaching with them in their hearts far beyond the daily eight hours. You are true heroes, dedicated to the students through and through! I see you and see your love and compassion for them.
A side note: The job market is exhausting. Looking for a job is exhausting, especially when you go through multiple interviews, given high praise, told you are under consideration, then after three months, told they decided to move forward by deciding that position you applied for isn't needed. I soldier on, always on the lookout, and am even in the process of taking courses to expand my horizons and job prospects.
Enough about that. On with the show!
Newsletter part 1: writing updates
A mind constantly going stretches into multiple projects all at the same time, bouncing from one to another like Tigger bouncing through life. That said, a handful of projects are on the agenda at the moment.
The top of the list is editing my latest novel Through the End of Time. While editing continues, I am also in the process of sending out queries to agents and publishers.
In January, I began writing the first draft of my latest middle grade kid's book (still untitled) and am roughly six chapters in. This is the third in the series, following Of Snow Forts and Santa and the latest Sonya's Summer of Solitude, with each book dedicated to my nieces and nephew. Each book takes place in a different season (this upcoming one will be set in autumn).
Two weeks ago, I started a new play, centered around two brothers coming together to clean out their dad's trailer in the Nevada desert. A play about old wounds, new scars, and the ties that bind us, I am knocking out two or three pages a night.
Along with tinkering on a screenplay, writing the occasional post on the Boise State basketball teams, and scrapping together words on a play I started last summer, I have been in a Haiku mood. Stuff I jotted down, mostly, scribbling through life.
step back, a clear view
a new window to observe
miss the rain with you
Also:
parts to shield, bared
shielded the parts once open
on the mind daily
If you want more poetry, including a Haiku, you can purchase a chapbook I put together last May. (Suggested price $5-10. Venmo (jason-haskins-1) or msg me and I can get a copy in the mail for you!)
Newsletter part 2: Movies, music, more!
Movies & Television
Lately, aside from good old fashioned comfort shows (The Office) and re-watches (Buffy, Angel, Dawson's Creek, sitcoms from the 80s and 90s), newer shows have been limited. I finished the first season of Paradise just in time for the start of season two. Loving the show and the performances, especially from Sterling K. Brown and Julianne Nicholson. And in episode seven, the performance from James Marsden was simply...wow. Powerful and subtle, all at the same time.
The Pitt tops my current favorites, currently in the middle of season two. Also playing catch up with the second season of A Man on the Inside.
On the movie side of life, doing a lot of catching up. Finally saw Sinners and One Battle After Another, the two front Oscar front runners. Both are amazing pieces of work in their own right. Paul Thomas Anderson is a long-time favorite of mine and Ryan Coogler is fully in that pantheon now.
Also watched Bugonia, which was...okay. I loved the first 100 minutes or so but, the ending left something to be desired. Not my favorite of recent Yorthos Lanthimos films but Jesse Plemons knocked it out of the park. Again. That Vince (Michael B. Jordan) and Landry (Plemmons) are carrying the Friday Night Lights torch is simply spectacular.
If you are into the Oscar-nominated short films, check out The Singers.
Books
Currently reading (and close to finishing):
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Lighter by Yung Pueblo
Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks
An interesting thing about Go Ask Alice is that is positioned as a diary of an anonymous girl in the 1970s. Reading it, I felt it way too polished but also thought, "well, an editor probably put it together." Just now, I discovered the book was likely a work of fiction.
If you'd like to keep up to date with what I am reading, you can follow me over on StoryGraph or Goodreads (where you can also leave reviews of my books 😉 ).
Music
Recently, I have been making a concerted effort to expand my horizons. By that, I mean listen to more than just the usual artists and bands I always do. Sure, I listen to music that soothes my soul, is my comfort blanket, but I am also exploring others.
After hearing his praises sung for years now by people I follow on social media, I finally dove into the catalog of Jason Isbell, including both his solo work, work with the 400 Unit, and time with the Drive-By Truckers. Isbell is a fantastic songwriter and am quite enjoying the music (which is rock with a country aspect. But country like in a throwback to the era of 1950s - 70s).
Also been listening to Olivia Dean, revisiting the albums of The National, and have been on a Bruce Springsteen journey, listening to his albums in order of release.
Heavy rotation players in recent months include Josh Radnor, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Pete Seeger, Sean Rowe, Taylor Swift, Bon Iver, Kacey Musgraves, and Jeff Buckley. (What can I say? I like a huge mix of music, and songs that strike certain moods).
That's a glimpse into me as of late...
Thanks for stopping by. Be bold. Be kind.
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