Hello Dear Gentlefolk,
Today I’m writing about my writing.
Next month marks the anniversary of the very first story I published on the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. It was a leap for me in many ways - a leap of faith for sure. But courage is something I sometimes feel that I have a little too much of. Being a double Aries is a lot of GO energy! (Fortunately, for any astrologers out there, I have a dose of caution from my Virgo rising, and a bit of grace with that North Node in Libra.)
When I started writing stories for this podcast, I put leaping into practice. I believed that I could tell stories—even though I’d only ever written and told The Butterfly Adventurer at the New York Faerie Festival. But it had gone well and my daughters and I had a wonderful time meeting Tree Ents, Green Men, a wide and wild variety of Elves, and our favorites, the Bridge Trolls. The Faerie Queen procession was discussed for months afterward in our home. (If this is something you might like, do not miss this event!) We also went to Niagra Falls!
Starting a Podcast
I was inspired to podcast stories so that I could reach children and families around the world. Everyone I asked in the podcasting scene said, “Don’t do it. There’s no market for kids stuff.” Everyone else said, “What’s a podcast?”
I didn’t listen because I knew in my heart that the stories inside of me wanted to be out and about. I knew publishing was beyond-a-long shot. And I knew that my voice is my best magic trick. I had to use it!
Podcasting was relatively new and, being a bit too brave as I mentioned, I decided it was just the right medium for me.
Could I write story after story after story? I lept. I began a story inspired by a rainbow-and-cloud painting I’d made. I wrote and wrote, and soon realized: this would need to be a series. The first story had more to give than one episode would allow. And when I reached the final line of that first episode:
“But suddenly the fairy spoke, and what she said amazed Jemimah even more…”
I had no idea what the fairy would say next. I just hit record, edited it, released it, and trusted that the next part of the story would come.
And it did! I put the next story out the very next week and had no idea what would happen in the next episode after that. I just kept writing, recording, publishing.
That’s how every story you’ve heard has gone. I just press “publish”. When I start, I never know how it will end. I just leap.
Now, I find myself returning to my first stories. It feels so warm and cozy to revisit them. I absolutely adore all of the children, adults, fairytale friends, dogs and cats, raccoons, and birds, and the grouchy old fisherman, who have flown into my heart and mind over these past nine years. I’m thrilled to spend more time with them now—and to bring them to you in a whole new way.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about what’s next for these listener favorite stories. If all goes well, the first audiobook will be out this summer. I’m hoping for June, but I’ve never published an audiobook before. I’m just taking a leap! Cross your fingers with me. I can’t wait to bring you along.
If you’ve been listening since the early days, thank you. If you’re new here, welcome. I’m so glad you’ve found your way to my little corner of story and song.
Until next time,
Keep the story close.
xo April
May the wind carry wonder, and the trees whisper your name.
What about you, dear reader?
Have you ever leaped when you had no idea where you would land? How did it go?
Substack recommendations:
Isn’t it funny when you read about someone’s epiphany and it is the exact same one you just had? That just happened to me! Emma wrote the substack post summing my epiphanies up so I didn’t have to. Thanks, Emma. We’re on the same page.
AND
My dear friend Katie (of KatieGoesPlatinum) sent me a beautiful piece about how Mothering your family and your city and yourself is no small thing in these hard times. I was deeply honored that she thought of me.
Sarah Bessey writes, “It’s no small thing to decide that you will keep caring. It is no small thing to keep showing up for the ones who need you to show up. It’s no small thing to do the work that is yours to do today. It’s not everything, it couldn’t be, but it is something.”
Your Turn
Do you have any recommendations for substack newsletter posts that have touched your heart lately and made you feel like you were not alone in your feelings?
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