DOOTSY DOODLES

Here we are after a month of way too much chocolate and no snow on the ground. Winter forgot us but apparently summer scorch is not forecast in that manner. We shall see and in the meantime stock up on sunscreen and plan on sunrise stomps to keep the muscles working in the cool.

If you have a favourite writing or art link you would like me to add to the newsletter let me know in the Comments.

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.

Julia Cameron’s latest, The Daily Artist’s Way: 366 Meditations for Creative Living, releases this year on November 25. Julia is the author of The Artist’s Way series which changed many writing lives. I use this book every day and love it.

NOTEBOOK SAYS

My copy of Julia Cameron’s most recent work, The Daily Artist’s Way (St. Martin’s Essentials, 2025) arrived after a few snow storm delays. I love it. Check it out at https://juliacameronlive.com/book/the-daily-artists-way/ . Her meditations are an excellent way of keeping in touch with our creative inner kid who loves to write. Cameron’s tools work for writers and artists too. The key is to work consistently and avoid large lapses.

Prompts:

• The day you finally took the Christmas tree down.

• He watered every plant in the house. They were fake.

• You come home to your empty house and hear someone singing in the basement. You live alone.

• What the groundhogs did under the trees at 3:15 AM.

• What Winter said to Spring.

• It’s night and you are alone. A door slams.

• Write what you love about your job. Then start again with what you hate.

ART CORNER

Nicholas Wilton of art2life artists.com has one of his wonderful freebies coming with “The Creative Awakening Challenge: 25 Days to Create an Art Practice That is Easy, Joyful, and Opens the Door to Your Best, Most Irresistible Art” at https://pages.art2life.com/cvp/cac-organic-b/ .The Creative Awakening Challenge runs February 1–25, 2026, with access to all content through March 1. The challenge follows a simple weekly rhythm designed to keep you inspired and supported without overwhelming you.

Karen Abend’s Sketchbook Revival 2026 is officially on the calendar. Please put a big star next to April 11, 2026 and check it out at https://www.karenabend.com/

As well I look forward to a time of learning as I dig into Jean Haines’ atmospheric style and her videos at https://watercolourinspiration.com/en-ca?mc_cid=4a63f06528 .

And another of Charlie O’Shields’ offerings: https://doodlewash.com/february-2026-art-challenge

Until next month,

Linda Gigliotti

https://lindagigliottiwriter.com/