ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴜꜱᴛ ʙᴇ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ.

I tend to turn everything I love into work. It’s almost like there’s this subconscious penance to be paid for all the amazing things I’ve been blessed with — this feeling that if I don’t suffer (at least a little) for it, then I will no longer be able to justify Fate smiling upon me.

But that means I’ve been moving from one thing to the next, grinding out against small deadlines without ever stopping to reflect on the journey. Last year, I published Wild Things Will Roam through Episodic and released online episodes… Then, seemingly overnight, it seems I have a published print/ebook novel; started a goodreads giveaway; created a brand new subscription newsletter to keep you in the loop regarding All Things Collapse, be it books, bonus content, or writing adventures; and earned the title of Art Director at a publishing house.

This final chapter of my pregnancy (five weeks to go!) comes as I round the corner to my 31st birthday, adding a lovely bum ankle (and walking boot!) to give me the permission I needed to rest. To reap the results of my labors. To see all the beauty around me and be joyful.

Without this mindfulness, I can’t write. How can I tell a story if my inner narrator is simply making lists, instead of feeling the fabric of the clothes I fold, or tasting the flavors of hot tea on my tongue, or noticing the chill outside on my skin? How can we expect anything to grow when we are always digging up the ground, instead of letting things take root?

Creativity requires you to feel your life, not just rush through it.

I often talk about planting seeds, but I hadn’t considered what the harvest would look like. I’m so grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey, provided support, or purchased/read/reviewed a copy. Here’s to preparing the ground for the next planting cycle and hopefully reaping another book you all will love ❤