Paper Comets, Winter Issue: Contributor Call!

Today, we are excited to announce the theme for the winter issue of Paper Comets! For two months we have collected your feedback and have placed an immense amount of effort to utilize the constructive criticism received in order to make Freckled Minds work in an improved, cohesive matter. After many weeks of deliberation, the topic has been set!

Revelation. As we grow, our perceptions of various aspects change, and perhaps we uncover something that is important that we haven't discovered or made known to us before. Often, these revelations are most abundant during our adolescent years, where we are slowly morphing from young children to beautiful, independent fine women. Where it be that today's beauty standards are difficult to define, or allowing yourself to cry in a place that says to conceal your feels, to finding strength in the tiniest places, perhaps in a coffee shop while reading Pride and Prejudice with your back against the brick wall or watching Downton Abbey wallowed up in blankets at seven in the morning, there is something out there that everyone has discovered, and something out there that everyone can share.

Yup! Many of our feedback responses have asked to have an even combination of all of the art forms. In order for us to accomplish this, we will ask our fellow contributors to rank their top three preferred mediums. Later, we'll notify what mediums you'll be using. This does sound a bit restricting-- we're not a huge fan of this method, either, but since we don't have a large base of readers and contributors to draw in from and  would like some variety, we believe this is the best way, for now, for allowing this aspect to run.

There are others changes that will be implemented, but they are diminutive in size, so there's no need to sweat about it. 

October 5th - 19th: Contributor submission form will be open.

October 22nd: Email sent out about what medium(s) will be used.

November 12th: Author photo, extra photo(s), bio, and guest post due.

November 19th: Content submissions due.

December 7th: Issue released.

 

When Traveling | Guest Post By Rachel

ten things to do while traveling.

1. Keep your eyes, heart, mind open.
2. Love the people even if they’re different.
3. Recognize the humanity in all of us.
4. Absorb & discern.
5. Put the filter on your Instagram pictures, but not on the way you view things or how you know God views things. It is what it is. And it isn’t what it isn’t.
6. Listen to the sounds of the city.
7. Listen to songs while traveling or walking around. They’ll help you remember things, later on, that you wouldn’t normally remember.
8. Breathe.
9. Learn.
10. On the ride home? And after you get back? Remember. Remember what it felt like to be walking around the haze-covered streets with multitudes of other people you’ll never meet, remember what it felt like to eat freshly fried fish at high noon with sweat on your skin and salt on your lips, remember what it felt like to sit quietly in the subway and watch everyone’s gazes follow each other, then quickly jerk away when eye contact was made. We shy away from connection; why do we do that?

Traveling is more than the place. It’s more than you experiencing the place. To be able to recognize our differences and see the evolution of cultures and yet still be able to know that, underneath, we’re all human?

That’s special. So keep it.

Rachel | Silver Mess | Instagram

9 Creative Ways to Spend Your Lazy Days | Guest Post by Mackenzie Rae

+ Write

It could be anything- just write! Lazy days are days to get away from the normal everyday things you do. They are the kind of days where you can do the extra things you've been wanting to do. Basically, the senseless things that don't fit in with your "productive" category. Get what I mean? Or nah?

+ Draw Characters For Your Book

Currently writing a book or a short story? I like to go on Pinterest and look at sketches of characters (like this) and try to draw my own version of them. I find that so much fun.

- In Case You Don't Like to Draw

You can still go on Pinterest and look at drawings or photographs of characters to inspire you for your upcoming story! Want to get started? Check out my Storyboard.

(note from the editors: you can also try out zentangling, or print out detailed coloring pages. heres a neat one from argonaut nation )

+ Watch YouTube videos

From your favorite YouTuber to tutorials. Get those headphones on and your favorite snack, it's time to waste an hour or two on YouTube. It can be one of the best ways to get inspiration! Second to Pinterest, of course. ;)

+ Clean Your Room

I know I probably sound like your mother right now, but I actually like cleaning my room. It allows me to clear my mind and grasp onto new ideas. It is also a way I can get lost in all the things I own. I tend to get distracted every time I clean my room, but I don't mind. I like to rearrange it as well, it makes it look new and different. Change is good (remember that).


+ Take a Photoshoot

Get your creative juices flowing and snap a few shots to post on Instagram. I highly recommend using the VSCO app for filters. It saved my life. Key: lighting is everything.  

+ Journal

Go outside (or stay inside), it's time to get out that journal you promised you would fill up. Just fill a few pages with doodles and small writing pieces. I never said it had to make sense, as long as the words are there and your mind is flowing into your pen and onto the paper.

+ Bake

Yes, it's time to get that cupcake recipe you've been dying to try. I know I like baking when there's nothing else to do. It’s also creatively yummy. ;)

+ Write to an old friend

There is a certain art for when it comes to writing letters. If you like to create, then this is perfect! Draw little doodles on the outside of your envelopes- give the postman a smile!

+++

Well, those were a few things I do on lazy days or what I might do. (Not saying I do all of those things because most of the time I just stare at a blank wall. Haha- I'm not kidding.)

xoxo,

Mackenzie // think. eat. write. read.