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Jane A. Ward, Author

Ah! Time For A Pause

Published 9 days ago • 2 min read

Sleight of Hand

The magic behind the making from Jane Ward

"The pause is as important as the note," said Mozart. You've heard similar phrases to describe the idea of rest. In meditation and mindfulness, "the pause is the thing that makes the next breath possible." Poet Anne Bradstreet reminds us, "If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant..."

So I'm taking a Halloween pause this month while I fine-tune the manuscript for my upcoming sequel to Should Have Told You Sooner.

Instead, I'm waving my writing wand and taking you back in time to enjoy this pause with me.

Just a bit of autumn magic. I'm so glad you're here.

October 2026

The Pause That Refreshes

No, it's not Coca Cola, well, at least not in my world. You write, and you write, and you write. Then, you give it to someone, who asks you to cut it down.

You want to scream, and instead, you pause. Then, you learn that the pause is as important as the words.

To See or Not to See

How often do we look at something and think we've seen it, and then suddenly, what we thought we saw wasn't there at all, or maybe it was something else entirely?

Baker Street

This month we're offering you a slightly different kind of recipe. Take 10-15 friends, a large dining table, some literary spice, and what do you get?

Come with me into the Internet Wayback Machine and find out how to create the warmth of a holiday table all year long.

Find more delights on my Facebook, Instagram, or Threads feeds. (Yes, pun intended!)

The farther we get into Autumn, the more I find myself wanting to cook all those wonderful, warm, and cozy dishes that remind us of family, home, and holidays. Often it's the aroma that takes us back to those special moments, and that comes from the spices and herbs that bring out the flavors we crave.

Instead of my usual list of books to read, and there are many on the art and science of spices and herbs, I'm tapping into the Boston Public Library (BPL) and asking you to do something neat: Join the BPL Spice Race.

Of course, I can't help myself, I have to give you some book options on spices and herbs - checkout this list from the BPL's catalog. For a little magic, and fun, read the book, The Mistress of Spices, or watch the movie on the streaming service of your choice.

Now, it's time for a pause. Happy Halloween! See you in November.

I'm so glad you're here.

P.S. - If you liked this newsletter, please share with others who might enjoy it, too.

Jane's photo by Boston photographer Terri Unger.

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
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Jane A. Ward, Author

Sleight of Hand: The magic behind the making.

I'm a novelist, a baker, and a photographer – three crafts that all happen by hand, each requiring its own kind of magic to transform raw ingredients into something beautiful. That's what you'll find here – the magic behind the making. Recipes that appear in my books (and kitchen), photographs from my creative process, reflections on the writing life, and occasional features on and from creators whose work inspires me. I'll visit your inbox every six weeks or so with something nourishing – whether that's a story, a recipe, or simply a moment of beauty.

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