The Lantern | Issue 8

♡ Super Creativity ♡

November 2021

Good day, wonderful one,

How are you? I hope you're in marvellous spirits and not feeling too discombobulated by all the noise in the world.

Since the last issue of The Lantern, I've felt super-charged with creative energy. After navigating the mind maze, it's such an amazing feeling to emerge with a renewed focus, motivation and excitement for what I'll be sharing with you through the months ahead. I feel in alignment and very much in the flow.

In the between moments of long periods spent word weaving, bringing ideas into form, I've been spellbound by this autumn's gold. Strangely (or not), I've had moments where I've experienced a surreal stillness in the world around me. Right now, as I look out of the window, it is utterly calm outside. The birds are silent. The few remaining leaves on the branches of the Cracked Willow and Sycamore are held in this unnatural static. It's like a picture postcard… as if time has stopped. And perhaps it has. Perhaps there are pauses. This happened when I was writing Light Weaver. I didn't realise at the time, but something supernatural occurred to birth that novel into this dimension, and it feels like I've tapped into this energy again. It's fantastic! It's incredible. It could get me into a whole lot of bother.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my call for suggestions regarding new creations. Most people said they would like me to write another novel. I'll definitely be giving this space to manifest in 2022, which will mark a decade since the publication of Light Weaver. I know... time.

But quite a number of people asked for courses, too - journeys that offer useful as well as magical experiences. I'm happy to say that I have several engaging and original courses currently in development, and I'm really excited about all these forthcoming offerings. I can't wait to share more.

First of all, I've just launched the Write for Magazines course that's been long in the making…

This is a bespoke, guided course for aspiring wordsmiths. It draws upon my 35+ years experience as a professional writer. I'll be working personally on a one-to-one basis via email, offering assignments and appraisals to help participants produce publishable articles and stories. With this course being new, I have a very generous launch offer... £195 (instead of £495) with an option to pay monthly. Find out more on my website at: https://carolannestrange.com/write-for-magazines/. There is limited availability so please contact me if you’re interested and I'll send you a prospectus and reserve your place.

During my freshly recalled ability to stretch time, I've been out enjoying the scenery and sharing treasured moments with wild things - wrens, robins, dragons. In the rare November sunlight, I've seen glimpses of the numinous, and have danced between one dimension and another.

And there's plenty to tease the imagination. After a friend's suggestion, I've recently watched two films (The Thirteenth Floor and Dark City) that are fuelled with possibilities, and what a joy to pick up a book in the pauses. I'm currently reading The Spirit Glass and Other Ghost Stories by Graham Higson.

Graham and I were on the same writing MA course a decade ago, and it’s a joy to read his latest book. I’m quite fond of short story collections. It also reminds me that I have an unfinished collection of stories waiting in the wings. I must take a look, and see how many more stories I’ve yet to write to complete this particular project.

Are you reading anything spooky or enthralling right now? Let me know via a tweet on Twitter @CarolAStrange

All being well, I'll be moving base-camp in December (or January) but I aim to send out another issue of The Lantern before the year closes.

Have a wonderful day. I hope you're enjoying plenty of mischief and merry-making to keep your spirits high. Shine bright!

Much love,

Carol ♡

Thank you for reading…

I have creations and courses to share. Is there something here of interest…?

~ Treat yourself or someone you love to The Alchemy of Night - my limited edition collection of writing and illustrations or my novel, Light Weaver, which is a love story set in the Lake District.

~ Go on a journey with my Enchanted Earth course and take advantage of a 50% discount using the coupon code: RISE at checkout.

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