What's life without a little glimmer?
Filling the well, dancing with the muse, and celebrating life's wee moments of joy.
What are you up to today, friends and fellow book devourers?!
By day, I’m spending the summer holidays scrambling over the ocean outcrops with my littles and overseeing crafty / STEM type projects while unpacking boxes.
By night, I’m diving deep into the writing cave to plan out the long term series arcs and projects surrounding the Knights of Destruction and the Phoenix Crew. And—hawt damn—I cannot wait to get more of these swoonworthy shifter romance and epic urban fantasy battle moments to you!
I’m pleased to report progress is coming fast and furious with KITTY’S CLAWS. I’m half way done already and on track to get it shipped off to my editor this month. Meanwhile, I’m plotting another Knights of Destruction novella which will be included in a charity anthology later this year. And, I’ve submitted BIKER BEAR to Amazon, so it will hit the shelves on January 25th—that’s only two weeks away!
(Buuuut, as a MIRI AND THE MUSE subscriber, you get to read it first. Claim your copy here.)
In the meantime, let’s take a wee breather and share a little friendship tea while contemplating the nature of a new term I’ve just learned called “glimmers”.
WHAT MAKETH A GLIMMER?
I saw a really cool idea on my Instagram feed last year and it has stayed with me ever since. I wish I could point you to the content creator, but alas, it has been lost to the scrolling feeds of time. However, the basic gist was this —
In this frenetic, fast-paced world often designed to increase our tension and underlying anxiety, the Instragrammer believed that we all needed to be on the lookout for GLIMMERS in our daily lives to help counteract this anxiety culture.
Glimmers were defined as those little micro moments which bring you joy. I’ve expanded my working definition to include a discovery or interaction which brings me joy, stillness, peace, happiness or fills me with a sense of being loved, supported or thankful.
After defining the term, the post went on to invite me to become deeply curious about what sort of moment translated to a glimmer in my life. The author asked me to open myself up to be receptive to those small—and often unassuming—moments in my everyday world and to take note or celebrate them in some way.
Then, the other day, I saw a post from a favorite paranormal romance / paranormal women’s fiction author of mine—Robyn Peterman, if you’re curious—who said that she doesn’t set up big life goals for herself as New Year’s resolutions anymore… but rather, she chooses small, constantly evolving mini-goals.
I really freaking love both of these concepts so I’ve decided to bring them with me into my writing practice for 2024.
One of my micro-goals is to share a series of glimmers with my readers right here on Miri and the Muse.
Would you like to join me?
Can you think of a small moment of joy or quiet revelation that brought you a sense of wonder or stillness in the past few days? Or how about a small act of kindness which brightened your day? Even a moment which made you swoon or your heart squish inside a recent favorite read would work.
Whatever comes to mind (and whether you share it here or not) take note of it. Remember how it felt. Snuggle down with that good feeling for a moment. Cherish it. Then ask your mind to be on the lookout for any new occurrences.
You might be surprised by what you find when dancing with the Muse.
GLIMMER NO. 1: BAKER’S DELIGHT
Here’s the first glimmer I wanted to share with you when dreaming up this post…
I made these scrumptious balls of banana, blueberry and chocolate chip dough last week and they were absolutely delicious.
Cooking and baking from however I feel that day, with the added challenge of using up whatever needs eating in our kitchen, is one of my favorite ways to dance with the Muse.
Do you have a little act of creative defiance you love to pull out to lift yourself and others up?
Have you taken a moment to fill the well today, friends and fellow book devourers?
BEFORE YOU GO…
Are you ready to add a tantalizing treasure to your TBR? I’d love you to pop on over to these two book fairs and play “spot my book” with me. If you do, I know you’ll find lots of juicy books to read!
FATED MATES GIVEAWAY
By popular demand, this FATED MATES giveaway has been extended until January 31st. Make sure you get your entry in for Michelle A Bailey’s giveaway. Over $150 worth of prizes including some smexy signed paperbacks…
With love,
M.S. xox
💋🦔💋
Oddly enough, my glimmers, lately have been shoveling snow. It sounds weird, but I actually enjoy the satisfaction I get from clearing an area. And it gives me alone time, since everyone mysteriously disappears when this task needs to be done. 😅
My glimmer from a couple of days ago was actually stopping to take my 15-min break from work and lay down on my couch (it was a work-from-home day) under my blanket (head and all) and actually STOP for a few minutes. It's amazing how refreshing it is to give yourself a moment to just breathe and turn off. 💜 Hard to remember in a word that insists we "go go go" all the time.