APRIL 2026 – A cloudy spring day, the air silent amongst the evergreens, the light rain beginning to turn the trail ahead to mud. After a long New England winter, these are welcomed conditions and I know it won’t be long until all the sounds of nature and life will return. I’ve been exploring new trails with friends and discovering a lot of hidden spots that offer a glimpse of a more untamed landscape. I had hoped to see a red squirrel or two on this particular trip as they tend to favor the evergreen environment on display, but no such luck on this hike.
Before any trip into the woods, I enjoy researching the trail system, and devising an optimal route for the day’s adventure. Are you a natural planner? I am. I like to strategize everything, spend time investigating different options, and carefully consider each choice. I consider it a strength. Though sometimes there is something to be said for spontaneity and taking the path less traveled!
My writing and creative process tends to be similar too. Lots of research, lots of pre-visualization, and drafts of the plot arc and key pivot points in the story. These elements aren’t set in stone, always have to be ready to re-calibrate when a better idea develops, like finding a cool branching path to a scenic view on a hike, you have to explore it! So take your time and put everything you have into your creative pursuits, it’ll increase your odds of delivering a noteworthy, authentic result.
Thoughtfulness in an indifferent world is a super power, it can make all the difference.
~ CS
