Tag: A. Catherine Noon

  • Z Is For… A Zen‑Like Wrap‑Up!

    Z Is For… A Zen‑Like Wrap‑Up!

    As April comes to a close, we find ourselves at the final letter of the A to Z Challenge — Z, the soft landing at the end of a month‑long creative journey. This year’s theme, The A to Z of Creative Practice, invited our community to explore the many ways we make, imagine, reflect, and grow as artists and writers.

    And what a month it has been.

    Each day brought a new voice, a new perspective, and a new facet of creative life. From Attention to Practice to Yes!, our members shared insights, stories, tools, and encouragement — a collective reminder that creativity is not a solitary act, but a shared ecosystem.

    A Month of Many Voices

    This year, we were fortunate to feature nine guest authors, each bringing their own lens on creative practice:

    • Tina Holland — Bravo, Education, and Travel
    • Rachel Wilder — Characters and Signs
    • Laura Rios — Demos and Discussions, Initiative, and Preparation
    • JaeSage — Gregarious Gusto, Journaling, Liberation, and Resilience
    • Nicole — Observation and Quest
    • Annette Grantham — Friction!
    • Alexandra Sissulak — Unusual Approaches
    • Carol Baxter — V Words for Writers and Xanthippes
    • Evey — Yes!

    And woven among them were posts from our in‑house contributors, including reflections on Attention to Practice, Kindness, and Noon & Wilder.

    Every post added a thread to the tapestry. Every voice shaped the month.

    What We Created Together

    Across April, we explored:

    • craft and craftiness
    • momentum and pause
    • friction and flow
    • signs, symbols, and stories
    • the ways travel, observation, and unusual approaches enrich our work
    • the power of community, curiosity, and kindness

    The A to Z Challenge is always a marathon, but it’s also a celebration — a chance to show up, share, and witness each other’s creativity in motion.

    A Moment of Gratitude

    Thank you to every contributor who wrote, drafted, revised, and hit “publish.” Thank you to every reader who followed along. Thank you to everyone who showed up in whatever way they could this month.

    Creative practice is built on small, steady acts. This April, we made them together.

    Z Is for… Zen

    As we close the month, Z invites us into a moment of quiet appreciation — a breath, a pause, a settling. The work continues, of course, but today we honor the journey we’ve taken.

    And if you’d like to keep the momentum going, remember: Writer Zen Garden sends out a community newsletter on the first of every month. It’s a gentle way to stay connected, catch upcoming events, and keep your creative practice nourished all year long. Click here to subscribe.

    Here’s to the stories we told, the ideas we sparked, and the community that held it all.

    Happy Z‑Day, friends.

  • Y Is For… Yes!

    Contributed by Evey Brown.

    You have heard the old adage, “Write what you know.”  Well that definitely limits what you can create.  Unless, you are open to every new thing out there.  May I humbly suggest that you say ‘YES’ to each opportunity that presents itself.

    That bird watching class offered in your neighborhood…YES

    A  Toastmaster’s meeting with your friend…YES

    A writing conference next month in Las Vegas…YES.

    That tai chi class offered at the local college…YES.

    Free Spanish lessons on Duolingo…YES.

    Creativity guru Julia Cameron recommends ‘restocking the well’.  A concept she describes as adding to our reservoir of images and memories we draw from when we create. Each new idea can become fuel for our creative fire.

    Some opportunities to learn appear by chance; I remember stepping into a candy store that displayed literally hundreds of different brightly colored treats in glass bins.  The effect was staggering;  so many colors, memories and smells in one small place.  New flavors, old favorites and foreign mixtures of sweetness.  I wandered the small area for the longest time, soaking in everything with my eyes, and some tasting as well.

    Others come from keeping your eyes open and ‘seeing’ what is around you. I scanned the vast expanse of the library. Ours is built as an open courtyard design that allows you to glimpse each of five floors going up, the shelves stuffed with books of every size and color.  Racks of magazines with glossy photos on the covers, paintings on the walls and statuary sprinkled throughout.  An oversized mobile hangs from the ceiling above, shiny pieces of metal cut to resemble books with wings, it sways gently in the open space. I couldn’t help but tip my head back and gawk at the sheer number of possibilities available to grasp in this relatively small space.

    Possibilities abound buried in your past; they could be as simple as that huge box of 64 Crayola crayons you had as a child. With names like Burnt Umber and Cerulean; sometimes I had more fun discovering the names than actually using them on paper.  Last year I found they have neon and metallic versions.  And new this year, Easter Pastels!

    Technology can bring you close to almost anything you have an interest in.  Virtual tours of the Louvre Museum, interviews with people of note and access to almost every song and form of music that has ever existed. If you’re not out there exploring, the fault is yours.  Consider saying yes to the next opportunity that presents itself, you could find inspiration for your next story, painting or dream.

  • W Is For… Wilder!

    W Is For… Wilder!

    Contributed by Rachel Wilder.

    Picture of fox face with the caption "Hey you!"

    In any creative endeavor I believe that it’s important to take credit for your creation. Be proud of it ! You just created something that is unique to yourself. And, in some cases, shared it with others.

    In my case, I write so I debated on choosing a penname.

    I envisioned us becoming famous and realized that I would never remember to respond to a new first name. This might be mildly embarrassing when myself and my co-author, A. Catherine Noon, are asked to be guest speakers at writing conferences etc.

    So, I stayed with Rachel.

    I wanted my last name to express my vast imagination and passion. I also wanted something fairly short for book signings. I originally considered Wilde and then realized my own last name ended with an ‘r’ and liked my signature with the upswept pen stroke.

    Hence, Rachel Wilder was born.

    So, everyone, my question is… do you mark your creations with your name, a penname or perhaps your initials or a symbol?

    How did you decide?

    Enquiring minds want to know.

     

  • N Is For… Noon & Wilder!

    N Is For… Noon & Wilder!

    Stylized logo of Noon & Wilder with the ampersand appearing as a stylized fox. Colors are lavender and silver gradient.By Noony — The A to Z of Creative Practice

    Every creative partnership has its own rhythm — a shared language, a shared spark, a shared sense of “oh, you too?” For me, that partnership is Noon & Wilder, the writing duo I’ve been part of since 2008/2009, published together since 2010. What started as two writers cheering each other on became a creative ecosystem all its own.

    Noon & Wilder is where my imagination stretches out and breathes. It’s where queer magic, found family, emotional intelligence, and a little bit of mischief all meet on the page. It’s also where collaboration becomes a creative practice in itself.

    The Magic of Creative Partnership

    Writing with a partner means:

    • you’re never creating alone
    • ideas bounce instead of stagnate
    • someone else sees the story from a new angle
    • you get to surprise each other
    • the work becomes bigger than either of you individually

    There’s a special kind of alchemy that happens when two imaginations braid together. Noon & Wilder has always been that for me — a place where creativity feels expansive, playful, and deeply rooted.

    Creative Practice as Relationship

    Noon & Wilder isn’t just a pen name. It’s a relationship built on:

    • trust
    • curiosity
    • shared worldbuilding
    • mutual encouragement
    • and the willingness to say, “Let’s try it and see what happens.”

    Some days, creative practice looks like drafting chapters. Some days, it looks like talking through character arcs. Some days, it looks like sending each other memes and saying, “This is absolutely our protagonist.”

    It all counts. It all feeds the work.

    The Stories We Tell

    Our books live in the realm of queer urban fantasy — shifters, magic, circles, bonds, found family, and characters who grow not just in power, but in emotional depth. We write about:

    • belonging
    • chosen family
    • identity
    • courage
    • and the messy, beautiful work of becoming yourself

    Noon & Wilder stories are warm, witchy, queer, and full of heart — the kind of books that invite you into a world and say, “Stay awhile.”

    Creative Practice, Together

    For this A–Z Challenge, “N” felt like the perfect moment to honor the creative partnership that shaped so much of my writing life. Noon & Wilder is a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be solitary. It can be shared, nurtured, and co‑created.

    And honestly? It’s a joy.

    Do you have a creative partner, community, or collaborator who helps your imagination grow? Tell us about them — or tag them so they know they’re appreciated.

  • K Is For… Kindness, Keeping Momentum, and Knowing When to Pause

    K Is For… Kindness, Keeping Momentum, and Knowing When to Pause

    By Noony — The A to Z of Creative Practice

    Creative practice isn’t a straight line. It’s not a sprint, and it’s not a test of endurance. It’s a relationship — with your imagination, your energy, your body, and your life. And like any relationship, it thrives when we treat it with a blend of compassion, consistency, and rest.

    Today’s K‑post brings together three pillars that support a sustainable creative life: Kindness, Keeping Momentum, and Knowing When to Pause.

    Kindness: The Foundation of Creative Growth

    We’re often taught that creativity requires discipline, grit, or pushing through resistance. But in reality, the most powerful creative breakthroughs come when we treat ourselves with gentleness.

    Kindness looks like:

    • giving yourself permission to be a beginner
    • celebrating small wins
    • acknowledging the emotional labor behind creative work
    • letting yourself rest without guilt
    • recognizing that your nervous system is part of your creative ecosystem

    When we approach our practice with kindness, we create space for curiosity and play — the true engines of creativity.

     

    Keeping Momentum: Small Steps, Big Shifts

    Momentum doesn’t come from huge bursts of effort. It comes from tiny, repeatable actions that keep you connected to your creative self.

    Momentum can be:

    • writing one paragraph
    • sketching for five minutes
    • jotting down a single idea
    • reading a page
    • revising one sentence

    These micro‑movements keep the creative door open. They remind your brain, “We’re doing this. We’re still in the flow.” And over time, they build a body of work.

    Momentum isn’t speed — it’s continuity.

    Knowing When to Pause: Rest as Creative Practice

    Every creative cycle has a natural ebb and flow. Pausing isn’t failure — it’s part of the rhythm.

    Knowing when to pause means:

    • listening when your body says “enough”
    • stepping back when life is loud
    • letting ideas simmer
    • trusting that rest is productive
    • honoring your capacity

    A pause is not the end of momentum. It’s the breath that makes the next movement possible.

     

    The Blend: A Creative Practice That Sustains You

    When you combine kindness, momentum, and rest, you create a practice that supports you through:

    • busy seasons
    • emotional days
    • low‑energy moments
    • bursts of inspiration
    • long-term projects

    Creativity becomes less about forcing output and more about tending a living, breathing relationship with your imagination.

    So today, let K remind you:

    Be kind to yourself. Keep moving in small ways. And pause when you need to.

    Your creative practice will meet you exactly where you are.

     

    What’s one small act of kindness you can offer your creative self today?

  • B is for… Bravo!

    B is for… Bravo!

    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!

    A is for… Attention to Practice!

    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

    2026 A to Z Theme Reveal — Writer Zen Garden

    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!

    #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.

  • Q Is For… Quince!

    #AtoZChallenge 2025 letter QContributed by A. Catherine Noon.

    Since our theme is “Growing!,” I wanted to bring us back to plants. (Partly this is because the dumpster fire out there, ~waves hand vaguely at… everything~) is pulling so much focus for me, I need to go out and look at the flowers.

    Which brings me to Q. Q?? Why did I sign up for Q?

    What the hell am I going to talk about for Q?

    One year, for the A to Z, I couldn’t think of anything for my “Q” post and so posted a bunch of pictures of snow leopards. Because I can.

    But then, it hit me! I know what I’ll talk about!!

    Quince Bush (Chaenomeles speciosa)

    And here’s a picture of one growing just down the street from us:

    It turns out this lovely plant actually produces small fruits, a little like an apple or pear, that are popular in jams and jellies because of their high pectin content. They’re native to East Asia, which means they’re considered an introduced species in my part of the world, but they’re one of the first shrubs to flower in the Spring which makes them quite the show stopper.

    What about you, Dear Reader? What’s growing where you live?