Iona Winter

So here we are almost at the end of 2015. Where has the year gone? 

I’m pretty sure I ask myself this every year. Equally sure am I, of the speed with which the year progresses and how that matches my increasing number of years on this planet.

While I have achieved several of my writing goals, ‘The Novel’ sits on my desk in her original form (and several edited forms). She is no longer waiting to be published.

From the veritable mountain of creative ideas, flowing (and not so flowing) prose, has come another incarnation.

Summer Solstice feels like a good time to welcome this new addition into the fold. I think ‘she’ has become a ‘he’ in terms of ‘The Novel’ which is totally fine by me, as I enjoying pushing through and challenging stereotypes.

I will say, with another year of age-related celebration fast approaching, how I write has changed—between my head and the page. It’s no longer about creating a tome of a novel which will take decades to read—let alone write.

Now, dear readers, a simpler, punchier creation is emerging from out of the aforementioned ‘mountain’ of creativity.

What will my writing goals be for 2016? I have no idea. Would defining them limit me? Possibly.

I have other goals, that I am sure will shape how/when/where/why/what I write and I’m excited to see what comes forth.

Go well dear readers over the holiday season, enjoy the summer (in Aotearoa) or your winter (if you’re reading this in another hemisphere).

Remember the essence of being together, whether you celebrate Solstice or Christmas or Anything Else—it’s about aroha (love), gratitude and kindness.

Blessings from me to you. See you in 2016.