✒︎Small Moments

A Newsletter

Hello readers,

This month I have done a lot of illustration work but after getting sick I took some time to rest as well. I am so grateful for cough drops, NyQuil, and caffeinated beverages because they got me through the rough days. Often I am so anxious to check off my to do list that I forget to breathe and take in the moment. We got to spend time with family and that helped me gain perspective that it’s ok to relax. In fact rest is essential to being productive.

My way of relaxing, besides naps and reading, was sitting down and watching some Studio Ghibli films. Although I love nostalgic Disney, it was necessary to take a break for my sanity. Phil Collins's music has been on repeat for weeks, and my kid loves it.

I would have started with Spirited Away, but I figured the pigs (IYKYK) and blob monsters would be too intense to watch for my daughter. So instead, we watched Howl's Moving Castle. One of my favorite things about the film is how many quiet moments the protagonist has. Those simple everyday actions like Sophie cooking eggs, sewing berries onto a hat, and walking through a field of flowers make the film so comforting. While the book's story differs from the film, both capture a sense of ease. It has reminded me that while big dramatic moments are great, alternating between the drama and the small moments will make a story even better.

I want this Substack to be a place of comfort, a corner of the internet where tired browsers can take a break from scrolling and enjoy monthly artwork and stories. To keep track of all my projects, I created a page that lists categories by age group, word counts, and genres of each book. It also helps me stay accountable and finish writing my books.

V.K. Dixon

If you haven’t checked out V.K Dixon’s work. Do so now. She is the perfect example of an author who lingers on the small moments. Wether it’s taking the time to describe the habits her character have or the signifigant relationships in thier life. It’s these details that make her books immersive.

Her first book in the Warriors and Mages trilogy Fire and Night starts off as a cozy cottage core regency romance and then builds into an expansive world of magic and intensity. Evylin is this tender-hearted sword wielding woman with trust issues. Deckard is a captain with a war torn past who is doing his best to not fall in love with his new wife. I may or may not have binge read 50+ chapters in two days.

Read The first chapter here

I also reccomend reading V.K. Dixon’s debut series Archives Of The Warden. It falls in line with the Mystery/Supernatural genre. It’s a perfect autumn read if you want to get lost in a small town in Washington with deep secrets and two brothers who get caught up in way more than they bargained for.

Amazon Link

Due to the volume of projects I have at this time. My commissions are currently closed for the year, however I will be posting spot illustrations throughout this newsletter, for those who are here for the art.

If you have any inquiries, feedback, or suggestions for what you would like to see in the newsletter, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am always open to hearing from you.