DOOTSY DOODLES

Racing in the rain. The scent of petrichor and wet autumn leaves. The freedom of “raindrops falling on my head,” as B. J. Thomas sang in 1969, while our grins widen as we face the sky. Surely the passing drivers think we’ve lost our senses. We care not as our pace speeds up. Ah, the blessings of a soggy fall day.

It was dry on a recent trip to my favourite thrift store that snagged me a witch’s hat that screamed out violet trim. I had to try it on of course but then they told me I have to supply my own broom. Oh well it likely will be too cold to fly anyway.

Have a happy autumn and cuddle in with creative endeavours.

BOOKS

WHEN AGAIN THIS WAY I WALK
lindagigliottiwriter.com – Linda M. Gigliotti’s writings:

The lives of 1870’s Julia and modern Andie touch as each in her own time faces relational issues common across the ages as times change and people do not.

Reviews

Linda Gigliotti’s novel, When Again This Way I Walk, invites readers into the lives of two families, living in the same location but a century apart. The dual-timeline story begins when Andie gazes into the forest and experiences a life-like vision of a woman and girl of previous time. Throughout the story, we follow Andie, her family, and the choices and decisions each must make and the parallel issues that Julia and her family cope with. With touches of mystery and illusion, Gigliotti deftly alternates between eras to reveal how the lives and issues of these two women, and perhaps all of us time unto time, face similar challenges, experience the same joys, and struggle to discover our deepest truths (Judy Reeves).

-Judy Reeves is the author of Wild Women, Wild Voices: writing from your authentic wildness and A Writer’s Book of Days.

I had the privilege to be one of the first readers of Linda’s novel and from the first page I was drawn into the story and felt as if I was part of it, thanks to Linda’s extraordinary way of describing the scenery and the characters. A beautiful story about life, love, family, traditions and friendship with a twist of mystery and suspense. Linda sends you on a journey between the past and the present, reminding you that life is about being curious and courageous.

• Tina Mundelsee is author of Yoga Coaching: use your practice to resolve emotional baggage, master your mind & create harmony in your life & relationship and Think Happy, Be Happy – A Yoga Coaching Pocket Guide. As well Tina is life coach at www.tinastools.com

I just finished reading When Again This Way I Walk. I loved it. It’s so funny I have thought these very thoughts myself. You are so right, the sun will keep rising and settling long after we have danced our lives across the earth and it has risen and set long before we took our first breath. So many experiences, interactions, memories. What a wonderful story. Bravo to you.

– Jackie Wilkinson, avid reader

HOWMASTER: THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO BEAUTIFUL WORD CRAFTING – Revised Edition lindagigliottiwriter.com – Linda M. Gigliotti’s writings

OTHER GREAT READS

Check out Judy Reeves’ new memoir WHEN YOUR HEART SAYS GO (She Writes Press 2024) and others at

https://www.judyreeveswriter.com/ . Judy also wrote Wild Women, Wild Voices (NWL 2015), a book for those of us who must write and do it well. Check out Judy’s A Writer’s Book of Days (NWL 1999) for some great daily writing prompts.

NOTEBOOK SAYS

My new work in progress (WIP) taught me a few things. I have a habit of making notes. Copious notes. Sometimes in different notebooks. That of course does not write anything into the manuscript. No, it only makes us find excuses to do it later. What to do instead:

• One page at a time. Not the entire work at once like putting your entire spaghetti dinner including salad on the plate and trying to eat it that way.

• The notes are only notes. Ignore most of them.

• When you see the same notation made on several little blurbs you know you are repeating yourself. Throw it out. Make a cup of tea and go back to the WIP.

• Stay in numerical sequence. No jumping from page 59 to check page 17. That happens in the second draft.

This month’s prompts:

• The red stuff that dried on the wallpaper that covered the door in the pantry was not berry juice like they said.

• He looked in the mirror and saw a mask that he had not put on his face. He screamed and the lights went out.

• The witch who dropped her broom high over the hills on a moonless night.

ART CORNER

Consider making and painting all your Christmas cards this year. Did I say something wrong?

Coming is the time of year I will really appreciate all those reds and oranges painted earlier. Out the window however ….

Paint a winter scene.

OTHER GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT

Nicholas Wilton is a master in his teachings about colour and the way your art reflects your soul. Look through his site and sign up for his Sunday Vlog. Art2Life Artists | Facebook and https://www.art2life.com

Check out Karen Abend’s art community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SketchbookRevival and sign up for her great newsletters.

Don’t miss https://doodlewash.com/ with Charlie O’Shields, of Creator Doodlewash®, founder of World Watercolor Month™ (July), World Watercolor Group on Facebook, and author of the Sketching Stuff™ books.

Until next month,

Linda Gigliotti

https://lindagigliottiwriter.com/