Mourning What Was Here Before

Writing the Dance

For this week’s newsletter, I have the delight of sitting down to interview a friend of mine, which is always a different dynamic than meeting someone for the first time in a Q&A context. We’ll talk about his creative process, how he feels about audience interpretations of his work, and how he got inspiration from the music of Sparks. Kat Spada: Zantino Bustos, thank you for talking with me today. Zantino Bustos: Thanks for having me, I’m excited to be here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe [https://katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Mourning What Was Here Before

Spoiler alert: This post discusses the series finales of the Outlander TV show and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Last week, the television adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series concluded. Shortly after the finale aired, I had to go outside and stand in my front yard, letting the night air cool my face, and take some deep breaths. When my tears fell, though, it wasn’t really because of how moved I’d been by the conclusion of the story. It was that sudden realization that something was over, something that had been around when my dad was still alive. This wasn’t the first time the ending of a TV show has washed over me with a bigger grief. In fact, I wrote about this in 2023, after the finale of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. So I’m resharing that essay here, now that I’m on Substack. That show may be further in the rear view, but the sentiments remain the same… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe [https://katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Don't Forget

To take your vitamins. But not those ones, this brand is more bio-available. Don’t go overboard; too much can be worse than none at all. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe [https://katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Trying to See in 3-D

I was in my mid-twenties when an ophthalmologist explained to me that I only see out of one eye. It illuminated so much I’d never understood about my own face, that had worn eyeglasses, contacts, and adhesive patches ever since I was three. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe [https://katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

How My Writing Group Kept Going

Today, instead of aiming for some in-depth takeaways from the commitment to community and consistency, I’m going to share some memes. Each week, I pick from my folder of saved images bearing inspiration for writers, and post one to remind my friends of the weekend’s scheduled session. They’ve carried us through these past two years of showing up for ourselves, and for that I am grateful! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe [https://katexmachina.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]