15 September - Magazine News
“The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist.”
What a week.
I wanted to pull back the curtain again on what's been happening behind the scenes at Shoot the Breeze Magazine. Part of this commitment is holding myself accountable, but it's more about sharing the honest, unpolished reality of building something from the ground up.
This past week was a whirlwind of activity, just not the kind that involves a keyboard. I took a much-needed trip to Bentonville for some intense mountain biking with friends. It was the kind of adventure that pushes you, reminds you you’re alive, and fills the creative tank—even if it ends with over 100 bug bites that sideline you for a day. Sometimes, living the stories we want to tell has to take precedence over writing them.
That said, the writing itself has been slow going. The truth is, the motivation has been hard to find this week. Progress has been measured in notes and brief thoughts rather than paragraphs. It's a frustrating but normal part of the process.
The primary hurdle at present is the founder's note. I know I want this issue to focus on places that care for our community, with a spotlight on organizations like Calm Waters. To do that right, the note needs to be personal, touching on my own connection to mental health. It’s an important piece to get right, and that vulnerability takes time and energy to put on the page.
The plan is still in motion: features on The Floating Bookshop (which will be our cover!), Myriad Botanical Gardens and a new piece on Factory Obscura's latest exhibit are all in the works. However, the reality is that the beautiful layouts can’t come together until the words are in place.
It’s a lot to juggle, but we're still chipping away. Thank you for following along on this journey. Your support makes the slow days worthwhile.
With love,
Brandon Tellez
Founder, Shoot the Breeze Magazine
