February

Monthly Check-in with Ali Noël

Happy Sunday, everyone!

I don’t know about you, but I’m so glad the 97 weeks of January are finally over! How is everyone else feeling?

On the docket today: writing update, a glimpse into island living, a haiku, and a word of encouragement. Let’s get to it, shall we?

---

Writing Update

On January 1st I started a Daniel fast with a couple family members. If you’d like to learn more, this gal's book is what we have followed the last few years! There’s no getting around it — this fast is HARD, but God has always been faithful to show up and I always feel spiritually restored afterwards.

And so what does this have to do with writing? Well, there were a few things I was specifically praying for during this fast, and one of them was guidance with my writing. My heart and head are pulled (in equal measure) in so many different directions. I get frozen and end up switching course again and again. I think this is why I enjoyed college so much. I was in a specific course, assigned specific assignments, and given deadlines. I had the freedom to create and think within those assignments, but the path had guardrails.

I feel like I got some clarity, and am able to take some steps forward in confidence. Plans for Bohdan Dune and the Perilum Tales (which will be returning to Substack!)

Plans for The Blind Knight Project. A surge of energy to pour back into Henry and the Ne'er Do-Well's . And, unexpectedly, to hold my hands loosely with traditional publishing vs. self-publishing vs. small press.

When I first started writing, I never considered anything apart from Big publishers, movie rights, best-sellers lists (can I get a LOL?) But the more I learn, and the more agent “wish lists” I read, the more selective I am becoming about the future of my writing career.

---

Pearl Harbor

I live 4 minutes from Pearl Harbor and all its historic sites. The history buff in me still can’t get over it! I’ve spent my entire life in the military community, and getting to visit these solemn places whenever I want is something I will always be grateful for.

If you have never been, or will be visiting in the future, I hope you’ll take the time to go see the museums and memorials. The staff (so many are retired military themselves) are so passionate about sharing their knowledge and past experiences. As a writer, I was like a kid in a candy shop!

A few glimpses into Pearl Harbor and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

---

A Haiku

Island sun, you burn 
But Winter is in my bones
May I bask with grace 

---

What’s In A Name?

Most of us here on Substack are writers. Be we poets, essayists, fiction writers, nonfiction, etc. We are here to get our name out there, connect, grow our mailing lists and get our words before the eyeballs of readers. There’s nothing wrong with that — it’s part of the deal.

When I started writing, I changed the name on my instagram five times before settling on Ali Noël. I changed my handle quite a few times. I’ve gone by a nickname my whole life, not my full name. Maybe someone gave you a nickname you didn’t care for but it stuck anyway. My grandpa was five years old before he learned his name wasn’t actually Pinky, but Cliff, ha! (He has since gone by Cliff).

Names carry a lot of weight, and something I’ve loved to study are the many names of Jesus. God has so many! Bread of Life. Prince of Peace. El Roi — the God who sees me. Reciting the many true, good, and beautiful attributes of God has been a balm for my heart many times over the course of my life.

As we seek to get our names out in the world, never forget that no matter what happens, the God of the universe knows yours and considers it precious. Whether you have 5,000 subscribers or five (and two of them are your parents) your name matters.

---

With hope,

Ali