Welcome to Bottle Episodes, a free weekly newsletter out every Sunday night on things I’m passionate about — personal essays, books, films, food, music, and the internet.
It’s a space where I will process and think through things I’ve read, listen, eat, and watch, as well as a semi-intimate public place where I can celebrate life’s minor accomplishments. A bit like my book, but in a shorter format.
’Bottle episode’ refers to a TV trope where an episode of a series would take place at a single location with minimal cast members as a way to work around budget limitations. The situation provides added challenges to the writer, but it also, as Wikipedia said, allows ‘for a slower pace and deeper exploration of character traits and motives’.
The phrase captured my current situation, living in a limited set location by myself (I mean, what’s a more minimum cast member than one?), and what I imagine I’d face when doing this newsletter. Plus, the name is also going to be a personal reminder of how this little project started during a time when we all have to be in our own bottle episodes.
Having said that, I’m so glad you’re here! Thank you. And I hope you’ll enjoy what comes next.
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