Usually on Wednesdays I post one of the quotes I’ve written in calligraphy that has helped or inspired me during the week. But last week I didn’t post anything and this week I’ve not quite found the energy yet to do so. Next week, I’ll probably be back to my calligraphy, but in the words of Stephen Colbert, right now, “this sucks.”

I don’t talk politics on this blog because it is one of my sanctuaries for writing and art and trying to share what makes my world a bit brighter, more beautiful and politics far too often isn’t beautiful and doesn’t make me inspired to create. But I can’t ignore that this last week has been hard, depressingly hard, and that politics is at the front and center. Or, perhaps, more accurately what the last election in my country has made painfully clear is front and center in my mind–and it hurts. And in my case, and in the case of a lot of others who have been writing and sharing, pain and sorrow and grief and anger do not make for easy creating of art no matter what the popular notion of a tortured artist shows us.

So for this post, I wanted to share links to other people’s writings that have helped me in the last week and I hope will help you, too.

Chuck Wendig’s blog posts have been thoughtful, funny, and full of good advice. I highly recommend reading, “Stronger Together, But So Far Apart” and “Mourn, Then Get Mad, Then Get Busy” It is okay to feel however you feel. And, when you’re ready, we need you back to make the art you make and to give the help and support you can give.

This post, “A Letter to My Blog Followers” by The Blabbermouth Blog sums up my feelings so well. Just because I don’t publicly share all my thoughts and actions and donations and such doesn’t mean I’m not involved and still doing what I can to help. All our help is needed, whether or not we choose to give a shout out to what we are doing on social media.

And, as always, there is Neil Gaiman’s “Make Good Art” Speech:

Next week, I’ll be back to sharing calligraphy and Saturday Shorts. Until then, I hope you have people who have your back, who you can talk with, and who can help you find your way back to those things that center you and remind us that there is still joy and meaning in creating art. Also, I hope you are on the side of empathy and understanding and social justice and kindness and you show that through your actions and your art. We need it now more than ever. Take care and, as Neil Gaiman says, “make good art.”