What's in my NOW? — Alison Faith Young

issue #198

I am a librarian and aspiring writer. I live in the Rio Grande Valley. For the new year, I will be writing more on my reading life, my writing processes, and the arts I enjoy in my substack. For 2025, I will be researching and spotlighting female authors (fantasy, horror, and romance) of the past that are not as well known as they should be. — Alison Faith Young

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PHYSICAL

• Sun and Moon pill case: I have learned to always keep my pill case in my purse or else I'd forget it at work or home! I needed something I enjoyed holding and looked beautiful. I try to avoid plastic as much as I can so this pill case was great. You can find always gorgeous pill cases through Etsy or vintage shops!

• Kate Spade Large Women's Work Tote in Black: This was my first big-girl purchase. I was tired of purses peeling or falling apart every few months. I decided to buy from this brand as I saw other women treating themselves there after they landed a better-paid job. I'm glad I chose to participe in this initiation ritual. The bag is elegant but easy to carry but still carries my many necessities including my laptop! It's been almost two years and it still looks good as new!

• Big Effing Clip in Cherry Kiss from Emi Jay: I have a Hispanic and Middle Eastern heritage so this means my hair is thick, coarse, and mix of waves and few curls. You remember that scene in Princess Diaries (2001) when she breaks a hairbrush? It happened to me. I need a sturdy claw clip. I live in Texas humidity so I always keep this claw clip in my bag for emergencies when my hair gets unruly or if it just feels too hot on my neck.

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DIGITAL

• PangoBooks: App and Website where you can buy books from people who no longer want to own it. If you want to narrow down your own book collection, you can create an account and sell there. As a librarian, I do want to give some advice. You need to think what books will stand out there. There's a million copies of Sarah J. Maas and James Patterson. You have better luck selling a book that isn't currently and constantly on people's radar and everywhere.

• Dragon Anywhere: Another app I keep on my phone. While this is great for workplace productivity, I mainly use it to keep track of writing ideas. Sometimes I don't have a pen or notebook close by so this is a great alternative. What's great about this transcription app is that it gets used to your voice the more often you use it. I have a bit of a drawl that can soften my diction here and there. This gets what I'm trying to say correct compared to other tools.

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INVISIBLE

For 3-4 minutes, study the location you are at: I have ADHD and work an office job. My mind moves fast and I can hyperfocus on the wrong things at the wrong time. Whenever I feel the need to scroll on social media or glance at my phone, I stop what I'm doing and just study the objects in my surroundings. This grounds me and I am able to redirect myself into whatever work priority I need to do for the day.

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What’s in your NOW?

We want to know what’s in your now — a list of 6 things that are significant to you now — 3 physical, 2 digital and 1 invisible.

If you’re interested in contributing an issue, use this form to submit: https://forms.gle/Pf9BMuombeg1gCid9

If we run your submission in our newsletter and blog, we’ll paypal you $25.