E is for…Education!

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Contributed by Tina Holland.

As a full-time writer, I’ve learned that education isn’t something you finish—it’s something you return to. Again and again.

Not in a rigid, back-to-school kind of way, but in small, intentional moments. A class between drafts. A video while folding laundry. A rabbit hole of research that sparks a new story idea.

For me, learning is part of the rhythm of writing.

I rarely study craft in the middle of a project—I like to trust my instincts when I’m drafting—but between stories? That’s where growth happens. That’s where I stretch, experiment, and sometimes surprise myself.

Continuing education doesn’t have to mean a formal classroom. These days, it can look like a lesson on MasterClass, a workshop on Skillshare, or a deep dive through YouTube tutorials. And if you’re on a budget (aren’t we all at times?), your local library can be an incredible, often overlooked resource.

A few years ago, I took a free course through North Dakota Humanities on female Regency authors. I went in expecting a refresher on Jane Austen… and came out with a whole new appreciation for voices I hadn’t explored before.

That’s the magic of staying curious—you never quite know what will shift.

Education, as a creative practice, isn’t about mastery. It’s about momentum. It’s about staying open. Letting new ideas filter in and gently reshape how you see your work—and yourself as a creator.

I think of it as a quiet ritual. A way of refilling the well.

And so, I’ll keep learning. Not because I have to—but because I want to see where it leads next.

What’s something new you’ve learned lately that surprised or inspired you?

D Is For… Demos and Discussions!

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Contributed by Laura Rios.

Image of an adolescent orange and white cat curled up on top of an open laptop on a desk.

Photo: Pixabay (CC0)

“When you open YouTube for ‘one quick tutorial’ and suddenly it’s three hours later.”

In most creative endeavors, one of the challenges most of us face at times is finding inspiration. What to paint/sew/knit/weave/write? Beyond your favorite website, supportive Facebook group, Pinterest, magazines, and other media, YouTube has thousands of ways to get ideas flowing.

As an artist, I turn to YouTube repeatedly. There are tutorials and demos for every medium, from acrylic paint to watercolors. If you enjoy calligraphy, you will find practical demonstrations as well as discussions on supplies, complete with product reviews. In addition to helping you get ideas, demos are great instructional tools. If, for example, you want to practice your “wet in wet” technique in watercolor, or you’d like to work on painting more loosely, simply search the term you like, and hundreds of demonstration videos will emerge for your consideration. I like to use tutorials as a stepping-off point; I can easily change things up to make the final painting or drawing my own. Using a demo is not copying, it’s a fantastic way to get you motivated and on your way to making masterpieces.

Not an artist? Let’s say you enjoy needlework. A quick search on YouTube will provide you with endless ideas for cross stitch and embroidery pieces, crochet or knitting projects, and garment making. Demos can teach you to make French knots, knit cables, set-in sleeves or operate a loom. Choose your fabric, fiber, and colors to create a fabulous original!

Writers will also find inspiration and assistance on YouTube.  YouTube offers videos to help with grammar, style, crafting a riveting story, writing clearly and effectively on the job, and any number of other topics. You will find book discussions and reviews. You can listen to Pulitzer winners discuss their techniques and find all sorts of how-to-do-whatever it is you may be struggling with so you can create again. When a slump of any kind has you feeling hopeless or sluggish, demos and discussions can be your best friends.

C Is For… Characters!

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Contributed by Rachel Wilder.

Characters.

My biggest outlet for my creative energies is writing. My first choice is fiction stories, usually with paranormal or urban fantasy elements. And, whatever the plot or setting, the driving force are the characters.

One of the very first things I do to cement the character is to find a photo of them. A vague image in my mind isn’t enough. I usually pick an actor as I like to have more than one image for my character.

I have a co-author, A. Catherine Noon, and for our latest story our main character is Caden Meadows. His physical appearance is based on the talented actor William Moseley. Since Caden is twenty-two, I picked earlier photos of the actor. I was lucky enough to find a similar image for our cover.  You can see images of Moseley on the Pinterest board I curate, here. A link to our book, As the Crow Flies, is here.

Book cover for As the Crow Flies by A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder. Image is of a young blond man with a crow in flight over his left shoulder against a backdrop of a forest.

What do you think?  And how do you picture characters when you read them?

Let me know in the comments.

Rachel Wilder

B is for… Bravo!

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Contributed by Tina Holland.

We’re so good at pushing forward—chasing the next goal, starting the next project—that we forget to acknowledge what we’ve already done.

Recently, I published How to Love a Lord, and instead of enjoying it, I jumped straight into the next book… and started a short story. (To be fair, that short story is due this month—but still.) I should have savored that soft release a little more.

Instead, everything started to feel rushed—finessing the paperback, juggling deadlines, moving on too quickly.

Truthfully? I need to pause long enough to congratulate myself.

Because this is what I usually do:

For every 1,000 words? I get a sticker.
Yes, really—and it’s become such a thing that I now buy stickers before I even start the book.

Every 5,000 words, I level up the reward:

  • Flowers
  • A bookstore trip
  • A small online splurge (I match dollars to word count—$30 for 30K)

And when the book finally goes up for preorder? That calls for a proper celebration. I usually convince my dear husband to take me out to dinner—anything from fancy to a cozy night in where he cooks.

It’s a little like turning writing into a game… and honestly? It works.

Now I just need to apply that same energy to the rest of my life. (Imagine folding laundry for points. Revolutionary.)

So here’s your moment:

Bravo.
 For showing up.
For creating.
For growing—even in ways no one else can see.

What have you accomplished lately? And how are you celebrating it?

A is for… Attention to Practice!

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Photo by: Pixabay
License: Pixabay License (CC0 — free for commercial use, no attribution required)
Source: https://pixabay.com

Welcome to Day 1 of the 2026 A to Z Challenge here at Writer Zen Garden!

This year, our community of writers, artists, and makers is exploring the A to Z of Creative Practice — the habits, rituals, reflections, and small moments that sustain a creative life.

We’ll be sharing posts throughout April from a variety of WZG authors, each offering their own perspective on what it means to build and nurture a creative practice. Some posts will be reflective, some playful, some deeply practical — all rooted in the shared belief that creativity is something we return to, tend, and grow over time.

Today’s “A” is for attention: the quiet, intentional noticing that allows ideas to take root. Attention to your energy. Attention to your materials. Attention to the sparks that become stories, paintings, poems, or insights.

We’re excited to spend the month with you, letter by letter, practice by practice.

Happy A‑Day, friends.

2026 A to Z Theme Reveal — Writer Zen Garden

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A to Z of Creative Practice

Hello, Gardeners!

We’re delighted to join the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge again this year. If you’re new to the Garden, welcome — Writer Zen Garden is a community space for writers, makers, and creative souls of all kinds. We believe in gentle practice, shared growth, and the magic that happens when people create together.

This April, our theme is:

✨ A to Z of Creative Practice

Throughout the month, we’ll explore the many facets of living a creative life — one letter at a time. Expect a mix of:

  • writing prompts
  • creative rituals
  • gentle craft notes
  • reflections on process
  • community wisdom
  • ways to nurture your creative flow

Whether you’re a seasoned writer, a returning member, or someone dipping a toe into creativity for the first time, this series is meant to support you. Think of it as a month‑long invitation to reconnect with your practice in small, meaningful ways.

We’re still in the middle of our site redesign (thank you for your patience!), but the heart of the Garden is alive and well — and we’re excited to share this journey with you.

If you’re participating in A to Z this year, let us know so we can visit your blog and cheer you on. Creativity grows best in community.

Here’s to a month of exploration, inspiration, and gentle creative practice.

— Noony and The Writer Zen Garden Team

 

Z Is For… Zed!

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#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter Z

Our theme this year is Growing!, with the exclamation point.

Why?

Growing is tumultuous. It happens in a messy fashion, in fits and starts. It’s not neat, and it’s not stepwise.

We got to the end of April, and completed the challenge. Endings are bittersweet. Sometimes it means that something didn’t survive that we felt an attachment to. Sometimes it’s relief that something is over. Sometimes endings speed past so quickly, we don’t even notice they’ve gone until later, when we sit up and say, hey way, where did that thing go?

I like to do the challenge because it stretches me and it brings me back to my blogging, which I love.

I forget, sometimes, how much I enjoy it.

I invite you, Dear Reader, to think a moment. What do you enjoy, that you’ve forgotten? What pastimes have you zoomed by, without stopping, and all of a sudden it’s April 30th?

Furthermore, dear ones, I invite you to think about how you might spend some of your time on that thing this week. Just fifteen minutes. Not a lot of time.

But if we don’t take the time, it’ll be taken from us.

And sometimes, time is all we have.

Thank you for reading along with us during the challenge, and I hope you’ll come back for our Reflections.

Y Is For… Yes!

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#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter Y

Contributed by Tina Holland

Yes! We are almost done with the #atozchallenge. So let’s “Yes!” or celebrate the wins.

Our theme for this year was Growth. When was the last time you celebrated your growth or accomplishments?

Having completed a recent writing project, I can appreciate the work I put into it and I make a point of rewarding myself along the way – sort of a micro-celebration.

For every 1K I write – I get a sticker. This has become such a thing with me that I’ve started buying stickers before the project.

And for every 5K after that I reward myself with things like flowers, a trip to the bookstore, online purchases equaling the word count ($30 for 30K) and so forth. Once I’ve gotten the book on pre-order I usually persuade DH to take me out for dinner. They range from fancy to having him cook for me. 🙂

I still need to apply some of this gamification to other aspects of my life. Who knows maybe I’ll grow into it.

What growth have you celebrated lately? Or what ideas do you have to celebrate your Yes!

X Is For… Xanadu!

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#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter X

Contributed by Evey Brown

“In Xanadu did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure dome decree…”  In this poem we see that even the mighty Kubla Khan needed to take a break from conquering the world to relax.  The same is true for us, in the midst of personal growth, there must be pauses to rest.  There must be places to meditate, look inward and catch our breath before more progress can be accomplished. I am suggesting you find a small place in your home where you can build your own Xanadu.

When you close your eyes and imagine a perfect spot, where are you?  In a fairyland meadow, at the beach, or maybe Grandma’s kitchen table?  Can you relax and just for a moment forget the cares of the moment and center?  Then you’re off to a great start.  Let’s build one together.

Your own personal ‘pleasure dome’ could be something as grand as a whole room, or as small as your bedside table. A window sill or your half of the bathroom counter would fit the bill nicely too.  I suggest you fill it with objects that help take you there through your five senses.

First, Touch.  A lace doily, a strip of satin, a woven placemat of jute.  Or maybe you would prefer some faux fur?  Imagine touching it, stroking it, does it take you to that happy place?  Driftwood worn smooth by the waves, the pearly sheen of the inside of a seashell with the gritty outside for contrast would give you double the tactile stimulation.   I suggest finding these items at the dollar store, a quick trip to goodwill  or maybe you have something already.  I found an out of style velvet skirt for four dollars and turned it into a table runner. There is no reason to spend a lot of money on this.

Second, Sight.  Have you or a loved one sketched a favored drawing?  Maybe that Christmas card from Aunt Sue with the snow falling around a cabin.  Or you found the perfect sunset online.  Frame it, and choose a frame that elevates the scene.  The dollar shop has a nice selection for, you guessed it, a dollar.  You could double down and match it to your touch item.  I have a picture of my Grandma Etta on my strip of velvet.  She always had a red velvet table runner on her windowsill.

Third, Sound.  Can you hear the ocean in that seashell? Maybe a small wind chime that tinkles when you touch it.  You could use a crystal bell, a metronome, or the sound of your purring (or snoring) cat at your feet.  Don’t forget technology; download an app that could help you find the sounds of rain, ocean waves or soothing music.  My Grandma Etta’s house was seldom quiet but when it was, the sound of her heavy wooden mantle clock was special to me.  The dependable ticks, the Westminster Chime that went off on the hour sounds like peace to me.

Fourth, Smell.  This one is as easy as buying a candle, a wax warmer or incense.  There are air diffusers, sprays, and essential oils.  My favorite option though is breaking out a package of cookie dough and tossing it in the oven.  Nothing is better in my experience than chocolate chips and vanilla in real time.

Which brings us to the fifth sense, Taste. When my cookie dough is done, I can eat it too. Make a plan to have something that tastes like your personal Xanadu in your cupboard.  Lemonade for the beach, hot chocolate if you are going for the Christmas vibes, and sweet tea would fit nicely into an outdoor garden theme.  What was your favorite food as a child?  Banana slices in red jello?  Chocolate pudding?  Grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup when it rained?  My grandma had Worthers candy.  Why not add your fifth sense and a little nostalgia into your escape from stress?

In the long run you may only spend five or ten minutes relaxing in your personal ‘pleasure dome’ at a time; but that break, that rest will make your continuing efforts to grow and improve yourself easier to continue.  I know it has worked for me.

W Is For… Wonder!

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#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter W

Contributed by Laura E Rios

We need more wonder in this world. I see so many people who seem jaded, adopting a “been there, done that” attitude, but still, they manage to exhibit a lack of knowledge about everyday things.

Just to narrow things down a little bit, let’s start with what happens above us. Why is the sky blue? What makes the noise when you hear thunder? How many stars are visible from Earth? How long would it take to get to Mars? Unless you can actually answer those questions, I hope you’ve wondered about them.

It seems to me that the most interesting people have an active curiosity about the world. I don’t know about you, but I look up a dozen things a day. Google is my very good friend. There is great satisfaction in learning more about something you’ve looked up. For example, the sky appears blue due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. Blue light has a shorter wavelength than other colors and is scattered by air molecules. This scattering distributes the blue light throughout the sky, which by day, makes the sky appear blue. Now that’s what I call a real blue light special!

Thunder makes noise because lightning superheats the air, which causes it to expand very rapidly. This creates a shockwave; thunder is what we hear when these sound waves are generated. Imagine my surprise on learning it wasn’t the angels bowling, which is what my mother told me when I was four years old.

If you’re still wondering about the number of stars we can see, or how long it would take to go to Mars, I suggest you look up these questions. It won’t take long. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

There is another type of wonder that isn’t simply curiosity, it’s more of an emotion. If you’ve stood on a mountain and gazed out on the panorama below, you’ve felt wonder. A sunrise or sunset can spark wonder. The vastness of an ocean, the constant waves rolling to the shore, and the nearly infinitesimal grains of sand also inspire wonder. Holding a newborn baby, having a stroke of incredibly good luck, (say, winning ten million dollars in the lottery) and standing in front of a famous, centuries-old structure can also invoke this type of wonder.

I believe we need to wonder, and to feel wonder. Having a healthy curiosity and the ability to experience awe are two things that separate us from lower life forms. When we stop asking questions, and when we no longer feel wonder, I think we stop growing as human beings. Don’t waste these gifts and opportunities!