Hey there, Wordmaker! Welcome to Aries Season! 

It’s the beginning of Quarter Two and April brings the dynamic and fiery energy of Aries, a force that can invigorate and intensify the writing process for us! As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries embodies initiation, leadership, and the spark of creation. For us, this period is ripe for harnessing the bold and adventurous spirit of Aries to fuel our writing endeavors.

Aries energy is all about taking the lead and diving headfirst into new projects. This means embracing boldness in your narrative choices and being unafraid to explore uncharted territories in your storytelling. Aries is not about playing it safe. It’s about pushing boundaries and pioneering new ideas.

Writers influenced by Aries might find themselves more inclined to take risks with their plots, develop strong-willed characters, or tackle subjects or genres they've previously shied away from. This sign’s energy encourages us to break free from convention and express our unique voices with confidence and assertiveness.

Tips for Harnessing this Aries Energy:

Initiate New Projects: Aries is the perfect time to start a new writing project. Use this energy to brainstorm and launch into the beginnings of a novel, article, or any writing piece that excites you.

Be Bold and Decisive: Channel Aries’ directness into your writing. Make bold choices with your characters and plot, and be decisive in your storytelling.

Embrace Challenges: Aries thrives on challenges. Set ambitious writing goals or tackle difficult subjects that require courage and determination.

Navigating the Nine of Cups in Writing

Our tarot card for the month is The Nine of Cups, also known as the wish card. It offers a message of contentment and fulfillment. When it comes to writing, it suggests a phase where your creative efforts might lead to emotional satisfaction and success. But how do we navigate this auspicious tarot forecast alongside Aries' fiery energy?

1. Realize Your Writing Desires: The Nine of Cups invites us to identify and pursue our deepest writing wishes. Reflect on what would truly satisfy you creatively and set intentions to achieve these desires. 

2. Celebrate Achievements: This has come up nearly every month since the beginning of the year, and I can only think it’s because we’ve all failed to acknowledge or celebrate our writing successes Acknowledge and celebrate your writing successes, no matter how big or small, and let them motivate you to continue your creative journey. 

3. Balance Aries Impulsivity: While Aries pushes for immediate action, the Nine of Cups advises savoring the moment and appreciating the journey. Balance the impulsivity of Aries with moments of reflection and gratitude for your writing progress. 

4. Emotional Connection: Use the emotional richness of the Nine of Cups to deepen the emotional impact of your writing. Take the time to make sure your work resonates on a deeper level with you and your ideal reader.

The bold and initiating energy of Aries season, paired with the emotionally fulfilling promise of the Nine of Cups, can create a powerful dynamic for us this month. Embrace the courage and assertiveness of Aries to start new projects and take bold steps in your writing, while also aligning with the Nine of Cups' message of contentment, fulfillment, and emotional richness in your creative endeavors. 

This blend of energies can help propel your writing to new heights, ensuring a journey that is as rewarding as the destination.

A Celebration of Poetry

April is National Poetry Month, a time to revel in the beauty of verse and its profound ability to capture the human experience. This month-long celebration offers a perfect opportunity to explore the rhythmic contours of poetry, whether you're a seasoned poet, an enthusiastic reader, or someone looking to dip your toes into the literary waters for the first time.

Why Poetry Matters

Poetry is more than just a form of writing; it's an art that speaks to the soul. In its essence, poetry distills emotions and experiences into a concentrated form, often leaving a lasting impact through minimal words. It teaches us to see the world through a different lens, to appreciate the nuances of language, and to express our deepest thoughts and feelings in a way that prose cannot.

Exploring Different Styles

National Poetry Month is the perfect time to explore the various styles and forms of poetry. From the strict structures of sonnets and haikus to the free-flowing verses of free verse and spoken word, the diversity of poetry is boundless. Each style offers a unique way to convey messages and emotions, showcasing the flexibility and creativity of language.

Engaging with Poetry

There are lots of ways to engage with poetry during April so you might want to check your local events on FB or wherever you find out about these things. Observing or participating in local poetry readings or slams can be a thrilling experience, allowing you to feel the power of words spoken aloud. I did my stint with spoken word in the 90s and early 00s so I won’t be indulging but don’t let that discourage you from joining in — especially if you’ve never participated before. Writing poetry can also be a deeply personal and therapeutic activity, offering a form of expression that can be both cathartic and creatively fulfilling. Moreover, reading poetry can open new windows to diverse perspectives and cultural experiences, enriching your understanding of the world.

Supporting Poets and Poetry

National Poetry Month is also an excellent time to support poets and the poetry community. Purchasing books from local bookstores, attending poetry events, and sharing your favorite poems on social media can help foster a vibrant poetry community. By doing so, you're not only enriching your own life with the beauty of poetry but also encouraging and supporting the artists who create it.

I’ll be reading Appalachian Elegy by bell hooks.

Appalachian Elegy: Poetry and Place is a collection of poems by the acclaimed author, feminist, and social activist. Published in 2012, this work delves into the themes of place, nature, and the environment, specifically focusing on the Appalachian region. hooks, who was born and raised in Kentucky, uses her intimate knowledge of the Appalachians to craft poems that reflect on the region's landscape, culture, and the complex socio-economic issues facing its people.

The book is structured as an elegy, mourning the loss and degradation of the natural world in Appalachia, particularly due to practices like strip mining and deforestation. However, it also celebrates the enduring beauty and resilience of the land and its inhabitants. Through her poetry, hooks offers a nuanced perspective on the Appalachians, portraying both the pain and the pride associated with the region. Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood is one of my favorites by hooks, so I’m excited to dig into this one.

On the Podcast:

Two new episodes are up on Making Words Pod:

Settling the Debate About HEAs:

Events:

Quarter Two events have been scheduled, beginning with Saturday’s Quarterly Check-in. 

Plot-a-thon takes place on May 10th with myself and Mia Heintzelman. 

And the next #20kin5Days will be June 12-16th

Plan-a-thon and Plot-a-thon are only available to paid members in order to maintain a safe environment to share our plots and plans with each other.

As move through Aries Season and embrace the rich offerings of April, including National Poetry Month, let's harness the dynamic energy and bold spirit that defines this season. Hopefully, Aries has ignited your creative fires, urging you to embark on new writing adventures with confidence. Now, with the added inspiration of poetry's rhythmic beauty, we are reminded of the power of words to evoke deep emotions and capture the essence of the human experience. Whether it's starting a daring new project, delving into the emotional richness of our narratives, or celebrating the poetic expressions that resonate with us, this period is about acknowledging and nurturing our creative potential.

As we look ahead to the upcoming events and opportunities for connection and growth, let's continue to support and inspire each other in our writing journeys. Let this be a season of courageous beginnings and profound reflections, where the seeds of our creative endeavors are sown and nurtured with care, blossoming into works that not only fulfill us but also resonate with the hearts of others. 

Here's to a Quarter Two filled with inspiration, achievement, and the boundless joy of creation. 

Happy writing, Wordmakers!

xo, Tasha