Marie and Me!

Thank you to those who missed my Sunday Story last week and asked where it was. I felt excited to hear you noticed.

Last Sunday, I spoke and manned a table at the Writers League of The Villages Book Expo. What a fantastic event! More than 3,000 people moved through four rooms of authors at the Eisenhower Recreation Center.

I had a blast talking about how important it is to write life stories to a standing-room-only crowd because speaking about writing is one of my great joys.

For the last six months, I’ve applied the Marie Kondo method to my life and focused on what brings me joy. Of course, I still need to do laundry and wash dishes, but when it comes to work, it’s Marie and me.

I evaluate all tasks and ask, “Does this spark joy?” If it does, I keep doing it. If not, I look for a way to eliminate or delegate it. Social media marketing—gone. Speaking and teaching spark tremendous joy in me, and I seek out those opportunities, which is why last Sunday was so much fun.

One area where Marie’s method doesn’t work—writing. When the words come easily, and the sentences flow, it’s pure joy. When they don’t, it’s anything but.

With writing, though, you can’t stop when it’s difficult. Writing through those times builds the endurance we need to finish stories, compile chapters, and complete projects.

So, when your writing time sparks joy, celebrate. When it doesn’t, keep plugging along. Those tough times may ultimately produce your best work.

Remember, the only way to do this wrong is not to do it at all!

Until next time, happy writing!