Have you ever, January through February, had the feeling that now, is when “rest” winter begins? The holidays and the celebrations are over, the gifts are given, the festive feelings have dissipated, and here comes the time when all that is put aside. So, we can look ahead to, you know, the rest of winter. It can be hard for independent creators. There’s some truth to the January Sales Slump. The Christmas bills arrive and people concentrate on paying them, rather than buying even more. Unless, you’re lucky to be on the receiving end of someone’s gift card purchase, this time of year can become very discouraging.
In the chill, we can take the time to reflect. On the plus side, the days are slowly getting longer. Though that gives my cat, Tars Tarkas more time to gaze out the window. No outside for him during the cold weather. He’ll have to be satisfied with just staring at the odd squirrel. In this calm, it can be hard to understand all the tension and conflict in the world right now. All a person’s wishes for peace seem daunted, ignored or dismissed. This can hamper creativity in myriad ways. There’s not much to do but sit with the feeling, recognize it for what it is and realize it’s okay to continue with your small expression of creativity. In that way, life’s meaning is nurtured and shared.
And it’s in the sharing that a person makes a small stand in this big world. Regardless of the genre, writing and all the creative arts are inherently political. We can add to the peace or the strife; inform, enlighten or distract and mislead. Story, in whatever form it takes, expresses the core of who we are as a person, a community and a culture. Also, the cool thing is, this connection can even be found in a strange series following a young woman defying evil with the help of a benevolent spirit in 19th century England. Yes, I’m talking about The Witch’s Foundling series. LOL! And that’s a wonderful thing as far as I’m concerned. Hopefully, that will help me get through the rest of winter. How about you?
FEATURE DESIGN OF THE MONTH
In the waning days of Winter, we can begin to think about the coming change of season. The Fairy of Spring is just the one to fill those dreams with her magic. Sense the approaching warmth as a sign of her enchantment and that she’s willing to share the dream with you.
You can join the fairy in her Spring-time merriment when you purchase the design on mugs, t-shirts, journals, stickers and other cool merchandise at our Redbubble Shop.
