The Magpie Diary: May 4, 2025.

I have been working intensively on the manuscript for my book, and it has been asking for new creative routines, and new versions of me, too.

For one thing, I’m no stranger to a deadline, but it feels as though my entire life is pinned to June 9th, when the manuscript is due to my editor, and this awareness is thrilling, haste-making, and a little intense. To write against a hard stop introduces useful curbs, though; I have been disciplined about working on the manuscript daily, and have a calendared plan for my own progress. I feel the clock ticking and find myself stepping quickly, and with intent. Constraints are, as ever, a blessing in disguise.

It’s also alien to know that whatever I hand off will eventually be non-fungible. Here on my blog, I can always catch a typo or amend a post if need be. I don’t do this often, really, but it’s like having a safety mechanism switched to on “just in case.” My book will live as its own self, uneditable, forever!

Meanwhile, the manuscript writing process feels legato where my typical routine runs staccato. I am working with much longer brush strokes. And it is laminative in a unique way: I find myself going over the same pages five, six, seven times in a row, trimming and reading aloud and alternating between poles of delight and (mild) despair.

Mainly it feels good. Pleasantly vigorous; the sensation of glissade. I love a creative challenge. And I can’t tell you how often I look at the little post-it note on my desk with my deadlines listed and the words JO MARCH written along the bottom and feel a dizzying degree of disassociation with myself: this can’t be my life?! I mean, really, it cannot?!

I was taking a break this week and found myself jotting down how it felt to be writing this book. Here’s what came out:

Long, effort-filled mornings give way to hazy afternoons in this new warm spring weather.

We are in a flow.

Post-it note confetti

Arrows and strike-throughs

Words pried loose from their origin stories

Portamento

Sunday Shopping.

Just pre-ordered Carley Fortune’s new summer book! Her last book was one of my favorite summer getaway reads. So atmospheric! I also picked up this cold cream cleanser from Alpyn — it’s gone viral on TikTok and sold out before! Can’t wait to try.

Meanwhile, Rothy’s just released a hemp (summer-weight) version of my beloved clog…tempted to add a pair to my collection! I wear these ALL THE TIME around the house and at my desk.