Category: art

#1286: “How do I create good art when life is tough and might not get easier?”

~ JenniferP

Dear Captain, The situation: I (she/her) am a homemaker and mum to a toddler. I’ve suffered from depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia for eighteen years, aka my entire adult life and then some. I’m on meds and pretty much a self-care rockstar, but I still spend LOTS of time and energy coping with pain, fatigue, dizziness, … Continue reading #1286: “How do I create good art when life is tough and might not get easier?”

Linkety Links + “We need to talk” vs. “Hey, knock it off” conflict management strategies

~ JenniferP

Good news, Mikki Kendall's beautiful book, Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History Of Women's Fight For Their Rights, is finally out. The IndieBound link is above, Amazon is here, it's illustrated by the amazing A. D'Amico and just breathtakingly wonderful and gorgeous. Mr. Awkward is cataloging his year of ambitious projects with his blog/email … Continue reading Linkety Links + “We need to talk” vs. “Hey, knock it off” conflict management strategies

#1199: “Hello, I’d rather hang out with my main character than my husband.”

~ JenniferP ~ 170 Comments

Dear Captain - I (she/her) am a middle-aged wife of a man (he/him). We've only been married three years (together 8) but it has turned out to be rather nothing like what I wanted marriage to be - and I was not unrealistic! He's emotionally constipated and may also be more intellectually my inferior than … Continue reading #1199: “Hello, I’d rather hang out with my main character than my husband.”

#1195: How to give a client feedback when the feedback is “You’re racist.”

~ JenniferP

Captain, my Captain! I've looked through the archives, and while you've answered similar-ish questions, this one hasn't come up before, so I'm hoping you can help! I (she/her) work as a freelance editor and am in a fairly privileged position––I have enough clients that I can afford to be somewhat choosy; I'm white and cisgender, … Continue reading #1195: How to give a client feedback when the feedback is “You’re racist.”

#1178: “A friend paid me to read her book and it’s terrible.”

~ JenniferP

Hello Captain, Two years ago, a friend paid me to critique her novel because I studied writing and know the publishing industry. I agreed to read three drafts of the work. We did not sign a formal contract. Then I got the manuscript, and it’s terrible on all levels, from prose to plot. I’ve tried … Continue reading #1178: “A friend paid me to read her book and it’s terrible.”

Short Answer Friday – Holiday Edition – 11/16/2018

~ JenniferP ~ 247 Comments

Hello Awkward Friends! Today I'm going to try to knock out as many short questions as I can about the holidays, celebrations, togetherness. Readers can submit short questions at the designated thread on Patreon (advantage, more than 280 characters) or on Twitter (advantage, free for all!) before noon Chicago time today. Twitter folks, please use … Continue reading Short Answer Friday – Holiday Edition – 11/16/2018

#1071: “I’m so jealous of my friend after she got the job I was promised.”

~ JenniferP ~ 92 Comments

Hi, I'm hoping you can help me with some coping mechanisms for jealousy which will help me feel less like the shittiest friend in the universe.  Long story short, a friend got a job I wanted, and I’ve spent months failing to not let it affect our friendship. The whole story is long but the … Continue reading #1071: “I’m so jealous of my friend after she got the job I was promised.”