Reflect, Renew, Reinvent
Keep an eye out for your latest Bonus Quest at the end of this newsletter!
The Christmases of my childhood were gaudy, snow-crusted things, edged with frost and icing. We'd hang multicoloured lights in the windows and stuff our presents under the fake tree, which I'd always help Mom put together as soon as the Thanksgiving scraps were cleared away. Titos and Titas would visit from near and far, and my Atë and Kuya would pull me into dance competitions to holiday tunes.
Nowadays, I'm more likely to spend the season in the eternal spring of the Med, enjoying views of this turquoise and wine-dark sea, and shivering from the raindamp caught in limestone walls. In truth, Malta hardly seems the most festive of winter destinations. But on the morning of the 21st of December, perhaps you might be tempted to visit Ħaġar Qim. This is one of Malta's ancient temples — older than Stonehenge — which stands sentry near the south tip of the island.
On this winter morning, walk amongst the ancient stones. Slip through the narrow gap in the walls, into the central chamber, where a stone altar stands, worn down by millennia. Watch as the sun rises over the sea, its golden warmth flooding the altar room, perfectly aligned with the corridor that connects this sheltered inner sanctum to the island’s arid slopes. You must shield your eyes or be blinded. This is the first of winter, as it was celebrated by our ancients.
Of course, these days, there’s a concrete seal blocking visitors from properly experiencing this particular celestial alignment, which occurs on the morning of the winter solstice. Still, this sunrise marks the end of the year's longest night. And though the scarcest season is sure to follow over the next two months, for our ancestors, this sunrise was a promise that brighter days would eventually return.
Reflection, Renewal, Reinvention
For me, it is this moment, perched between the darkness of the past and the brightness of the future that provides a welcome reason for celebration. None of us escapes a year completely unscathed. But after the death of winter comes the bloom and riot of spring: the renewal that allows us to carry on. This future is not always an easy one to face — at times, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we must reinvent ourselves completely in order to brave whatever comes next.
Before we can chart a way forward, however, we must first know where we are and find a way to shape the story of where we have been. As part of our New Year's celebrations, my husband and I have always done an annual check-in — a moment to talk about our hopes and goals for the future, as well as to address any regrets from the year gone by. Here are just a few of the questions we sometimes use, in order to take stock of the different spheres of our lives.
Reflect
What is one thing I'm especially proud of from the past year?
What made this fulfilling, and how did I accomplish it?
What other wins can I count from this year?
Renew
What didn't work so well?
What can I let go of from the past twelve months?
What is something that has helped motivate me throughout?
Reinvent
What, if anything, do I feel I need to change about my outlook?
What achievement would I like to be able to claim in the new year?
What measures can I put into place to help guide me there?
This winter solstice, looking both forward and back, I invite you to use these questions to examine your writing year, and see what they uncover for you. The truth is: rebirth can be messy, but it is a necessary part of the creative cycle.
Other Updates from the Editor's Desk
Work Updates: Currently taking on clients for the new year. If you're looking for a freelance editor to help you publish and query with confidence, get in touch or book a free consultation.
Curently Reading: Anatomy | A Love Story by Dana Schwarz - Resurrection men and forbidden romance in Regency-Era Edinburgh? Why, yes I believe I shall devour it.
Client Shout-Out: Scrambling to finish working on THINK’s research edition before the holidays hit! This Malta-based magazine’s articles on science and innovation are always fascinating.
Bonus Quest (250xp)
I want to know your favourite writing win from the last year.
It doesn't have to be the biggest win (though if you want to link to a story or share a new release or award or book deal, I'd love to see it!) — it just needs to be the thing that has encouraged you the most in your creative journey over the last twelve months.
Share your win in the comments below, and let's cheer each other on!
My biggest writing win was starting writing again! I wrote some very fun flash fiction.
My biggest writing loss was the existential dread that came after I realised none of my characters ever live happily ever after 😂