By Kathryn Harry

So, you’ve finished writing your newest short story. You’re wrapping up some
last-minute edits as you come to a crossroads: what, exactly, do you plan to do with your piece? You could keep it in your drafts, only to be seen by your eyes for the foreseeable future, or you could share it with others, showing it to friends or submitting to a literary magazine. The prospect, while appealing in theory, only leaves a heavy sense of fear coiling in your gut. So, how do you do it? How do you get over the fear of publicly sharing your writing? If you find yourself wondering something similar, perhaps consider these tips:

START SMALL
Always remember that you don’t have to push yourself more than what is necessary for your growth. While it is important to test your comfort zone in this area, there is no need to take broad strokes right off the bat. Maybe jumping into public readings or posting your work feels too out-of-reach at first—that’s perfectly okay. Doing things on a smaller scale, like submitting
your work to a feedback studio online which eliminates face-to-face feedback, or even reading your finished pieces aloud to only yourself, can be beneficial. These outlets are great building blocks for preparing to share your work with others on a larger scale as they make you more comfortable with the idea over time.

SELF REFLECT
Oftentimes, we are our own harshest critic. The mindset you hold when presenting your work to others can completely make or break the experience and what you gain from it. It is imperative that you show yourself grace when sharing your work with others. It can be nerve-wracking, of course, but remember that it is an opportunity for growth above everything. Do your best to approach each opportunity with a sense of confidence—as the age-old saying goes, “fake it ‘till you make it.” This can be difficult at first when sharing work that you have put time and effort into, but as time goes on you’ll find the confidence becomes easier to summon. By keeping a calm and clear head, you’ll be able to glean more from the experience.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE FEAR; DO IT ANYWAY
It is perfectly normal to feel nervous when branching out in this way. Sharing your work with others is a big step in the creative process, and for many, one of the most terrifying. It can be a daunting task, putting your hard work into the hands of the public. But that doesn’t mean it is something to avoid completely. If it is something you truly want to do, then it’s a matter of proceeding with your desires in spite of the fear. Allow yourself to understand where your apprehensions are coming from rather than avoiding them, and persevering while armed with this knowledge, is sometimes the only way to get the job done.
Ultimately, sharing your writing with others is no easy feat. It can be awkward and nerve-wracking, but it is an opportunity for so much growth as a writer. Receiving constructive feedback on your work, or really impacting someone with your words for the first time, can be formative experiences in your writing career, and the fear of taking that step should not be the factor that prohibits you from such things. Now, when staring at the finished pages before you, unsure of what to do with your next finished piece, you can remember that sharing it publicly doesn’t have to be off the table.

By: Nabeeha Mudassar

The book you’re reading certainly does lend to a lot of tears and ache, doesn’t it? Your favourite character dying? Your endgame never getting together? Them dying without ever having gotten together? Don’t we all relate to that. Well, do I have a little treat for you. Here to fix the shattered pieces of your broken heart, a recipe that will surely give you comfort and warmth as well as a little serotonin. Who doesn’t like a good old fashioned cup of hot chocolate. 

In a pan add in water almost equal to the amount of tears you’ve shed. Just kidding. We don’t want the kitchen to flood. Add only ⅓ of a cup. Over a low flame, let the pan heat for five minutes. After, add ¼ of a cup of Remus Lupin’s favourite brand, (or ordinary, though it may be lacking in werewolf certified ingredients) of Cocoa Powder. Add in half a cup of powdered sugar and half a teaspoon of salt. Then add two cups of milk, though the kind the fairies enjoy is preferred. Mix all the ingredients, resolving lumps and bring to a boil. Turn off the stove and sieve your hot chocolate into your favourite mug. There you have it, a warm comforting treat while you sob in bed. Marshmallows and sprinkles can be added to taste.

Full Recipe for two

• ⅓ cup of water 

(Let it heat for 3 minutes)

• ¼ cup of cocoa powder
• ½ cup of powdered sugar
• ½ tsp of salt

(Mix and let it heat for 5 minutes)

• Two cups of milk

(Bring to boil and pour)

Enjoy!

By Sariya Camp

Springtime calls to mind birdsong and flower fields, gentle sunshine and the flitting of dragonflies: the sights and sensations of the earth renewing itself.

As we ease out of the colder months, we turn to the comfort of books that capture this spirit of new beginnings. Stories that celebrate the beauty of the natural world. Stories that foreground hope and gratitude, blossoming love, and the joy of simple living.

In this post, I’ve compiled a list of beloved classics and contemporary favorites sure to put you in a spring mood. From poetry to cozy mysteries, there is something to enchant every reader. Without further ado, here are twelve books to have on your radar this spring.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

“Oh, it is wonderful to wake up in the morning with things to look forward to!” exclaims the dreamy narrator of this rags to riches tale. Told in a series of journal entries, I Capture the Castle traces the romantic adventures of seventeen-year-old writer Cassandra Mortmain as her family struggles to make ends meet in a crumbling castle in 1930s England.

Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This latest installment in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series returns to Funiculi Funicula, the whimsical time traveling café of Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s imagination. Before We Say Goodbye is a heartwarming exploration of moving forward from the griefs that hold us back.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Krystal Marquis’ debut novel centers on an affluent Black family, offering a fresh perspective on American history. The Davenports kicks off during the spring ball season in Gilded Age Chicago and charts the experiences of four young women who work to turn their colorful dreams into reality.

Morning in the Burned House by Margaret Atwood

In this intimate collection of poetry, Margaret Atwood blends myth and reality as she muses on everyday life and observes the intricacies of nature. Morning in the Burned House is unafraid to probe the dark side of the human condition, challenging readers to look past the bleak and mundane to find the extraordinary.

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

An escapist fantasy at its core, The Enchanted April focuses on a group of Englishwomen hailing from differing social backgrounds, who, dissatisfied with their lives, find connection whilst on holiday in the Italian Riviera.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Betty Smith’s modern classic chronicles the coming-of-age of Francie Nolan, an adolescent girl determined to flourish in early 20th century Brooklyn despite the atmosphere of poverty and hardship she is born into.

The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill

Furnished with the sweetest illustrations, The Tea Dragon Society can only be described as a therapeutic reading experience. The former webcomic unfolds in a fairytale realm as Greta, a blacksmith-in-training, learns the art of nurturing tea dragons, from which tea leaves are harvested.

Emma by Jane Austen

This classic of English literature follows Emma Woodhouse, a charming, wealthy young woman who creates more trouble than good when she decides to play matchmaker for the residents of her country village. Romance, wit, and quaint scenery combine to make Jane Austen’s Emma a springtime essential.

All the Honey by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

A recent release from poet Rosemary Wahtola Trommer, All the Honey shepherds readers through moments in time both big and small, beautiful and ugly, on a journey toward emotional healing.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Sarah Addison Allen’s Garden Spells tells the story of Claire Waverley, a gifted but reclusive chef who spends her days tending her family’s enchanted garden. Set in a small town in North Carolina, this magical realist tale of sisterhood and self-growth is perfect for fans of Practical Magic.

Sinister Spring by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie’s Sinister Spring is a sweet treat for mystery lovers. This anthology of short stories sets murder and mayhem against a blossoming backdrop with appearances from fan-favorite detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay

From the poetic mind of Ross Gay comes a vitalizing collection of essays that doubles as a love letter to life itself. The Book of Delights is a close study of the simple and ordinary, devoted to finding the softness in a world that is too often unkind.

By Kathryn Harry, Content Writer

Writing is often considered a uniquely sedentary practice. While it has the power to transport writers across worlds, many of us only do so from the confines of our homes. There is, of course, nothing wrong with this, however the monotonous nature of this setting could dampen one’s creative spirit over time. Naturally, it would be great to switch things up every once in a while, and what better way to do so than by stepping out of the self-made writing bubble and into the outside world? As the spring season approaches for many, here are some different exercises to try incorporating the outside world into your writing process: 

WALKING IT OUT 

If you find yourself stuck in a plot hole, or you’ve written yourself into a corner, or perhaps you’ve just been staring at a blank page for too long, you may find it beneficial to put aside your work and take a leisurely outdoor stroll instead. Not only would the change in scenery act as a nice refresher for the mind, but moving the body could help generate new ideas on your own accord. Carrying a device with which you could voice record yourself as you walk could also be helpful, so that there is no need to stop and jot any particularly striking ideas down. 

OBSERVING NATURAL SCENERY 

Sometimes what the creative mind needs is to just sit and watch the world around you. Find a bench in your local park, a nice stump or rock to sit on, or even a nice clover clearing to station yourself at for a while. Use this time to really take everything in: the scenery, how the sun feels on your head or the wind against your cheek, any smells or textures and the emotions they spark within you. More importantly, write everything down. This could be in the form of a journal entry, an exercise in your chosen genre, or even just bullet points for future reference. What’s important is absorbing the scenery with which you have become a part of, and using that for creative fuel. 

PEOPLE WATCHING 

For this, you’ll have to find an area that is slightly more people-dense; perhaps a seat at your local café, or around the grocery store. Once you’ve found your spot, really pay attention to the people around you. Focus on the way they interact, how they carry themselves, the intricacies of their actions that catch your eye. Perhaps you’ll overhear a snippet of dialogue that inspires a scene in your next short story, or the striking color of an elderly woman’s bag becomes the center of a new sonnet. Whatever it is, these observations connect the writer to the world around them and create a social aspect of the activity that isn’t regularly explored. 

No matter how you choose to go about it, it is important to consider how breaking the stationary routine of writing from time to time can be beneficial for both your writing process and inspiration. Even taking a break to open a window and get a breath of fresh air could be enough to refresh the mind. They may seem like simple tactics, but a short walk could take you a long way!