Spring is in the Air
by Steph Beth Nickel
It has been a remarkably mild winter in Ontario. Not great for those who love winter activities, but wonderful for those of us who are not big fans.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the beauty of a pristine, snow-covered landscape—from the warmth of my home.
Even though it’s only February, spring is definitely in the air.
The sparrows have been chirping away in the lilac bush next to our home for weeks now. Even on cooler days, it sounds like spring.
And today, Family Day, it looks like spring. The sun is shining. There is virtually no snow in sight. And the thermometer says it’s above zero. Three of the reasons my hubby and I will be going for a walk.
Spring is Dave’s favourite season of the year. And I must admit that it’s pretty much tied neck and neck with autumn as my favourite season as well.
So, what do spring and all the signs of its imminent arrival have to do with writing?
Typically, we set annual goals at the beginning of the new year. In January. In the midst of what can be a cold and uninviting season.
But why not sit down with pen in hand in the springtime and set our writing goals for the next few months?
Spring overflows with unique sights, sounds, and smells. How can you incorporate them into your writing to make it come alive like creation in the spring?
Signs of new life and growth are everywhere. We just have to take the time to look. How can we bring new life to our writing and grow as writers in the coming months?
And speaking of growth…
Is it time to grow your mailing list? Your social media following? Your marketing efforts?
With all this evidence of new life around us comes beauty that has been dormant for the last few months.
Not everything we write about is beautiful. In fact, some of what we address is dark, difficult, and heartbreaking.
But, as Christians, we often seek to incorporate hope into our work. We want to offer our readers at least a glimmer of hope, a glimpse of beauty.
How can you incorporate beauty into your current work-in-progress?
It’s still early in the year. We may have more cold, dreary days in the weeks to come. In fact, we may even get more snow. But warmer, brighter, more colourful days are coming.
You may be in the midst of a dark time with your writing. Subject matter. Lack of motivation. An overwhelming schedule. All these things and more can keep us from getting words on paper. And even if our words are flowing now, we may encounter a roadblock in the days ahead.
Regardless, spring is coming. And while we have no say about the changing seasons, we do have a say about getting our words on paper.
How will you breathe new life into your writing this month? I’d love to hear about it.
As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.
If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.
You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.
You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.