Wanna hear the hardest thing about being consistent?

Sometimes, I just don't have anything new or profound to say.

Trying to come up with a new idea when I'm simply revisiting old ideas and improving on them is a challenge. 

Me coming to the office looks the same these days. I start off with a bit of study, respond to some messages if there are any, then go over the notes and feedback to improve Madamn. Most of it is pretty little stuff, too. 

At least right now.

But I have made a commitment to update this blog, and by George, I'm going to keep that commitment!

I just have to think of new things to say and new ideas to implement. 

This is part of the reason I've never started a podcast or started making YouTube videos. I do have a few there. Once in a while, I'll make reels for my social media. 

But for the most part, this stage is pretty unglamorous and it's hard to find new things to share.

My Biggest Writing Secret

 I love writing. I have been an avid journaler since I was eight years old. I'm not a bad writer to start out with.

But do you wanna know what absolutely TRANSFORMS my writing?

Smart friends.

If I can't find something I'm trying to research, I simply post it on social media and I have exactly what I need almost instantly. If not right away, at least within 24 hours.

When I finish a manuscript, I send it to friends. I do this BEFORE an editor even gets near it.

You have no idea how much this novel has changed for the better just from a few comments from very smart people that I love and respect.

I have a lot of work and cleaning up to do, but wow. 

It's already loads better.

Greatness is in the details friends.

I don't know all of the details. But between me and many others with different knowledge and expertise, I can get the details right.

Checking In

 Despite the health struggles, I'm still here! I'm managing to make it to the office Some days there is more progress than others.

But at least there is a little bit happening every day.

Today I spent a few hours going over notes made by an author friend who writes a lot in the time period and was checking for historical accuracy. There's a lot to fix.

But to be perfectly honest, there is less than I thought and I am thrilled by this! I have a few other experts in their filed checking for specific things as well.

I'm working hard to make this the best that it can be, and I really hope people come to love Em as much as I do.

That Was Unexpected... And It's Not Even Tourette Syndrome

 Hey there friend.

So one problem with trying to be consistent is that it can be exhausting. Especially if you deal with some big health issues. Even if you don't, sometimes life decides to throw a few curveballs.

I want to give you a head's up.

I have one of those curveballs in regard to some big health issues. Most of the time, things are just fine, but not always. 

Every once in a while, my body likes to say, "NOT WORKING!" It can take me a few weeks to figure out what changed and adjust accordingly.

Yesterday was a rough day. I slept most of the day after overdoing things on Monday. So now I have a few weeks of adjustment and not knowing what my body is going to do for the day.

So while I will try to be consistent, if I don't show up, know that you are still loved.

Reader's Escape

Fun story, I started hosting retreats. 

I never imagined that would be something I would do. It's been a huge learning curve, but I feel like I have finally figured things out. I started out hosting writing retreats. I held three of those, but they never really took off.

It didn't help that my very first one was in November of 2020. I had one speaker and two participants show up online, while the rest of my speakers and guests were digitally attending. Then I did one that was entirely digital that had about three attendees.

My last one was entirely in person. I had one guest attend.

To be honest, I was probably a large part of the problem. I also attended writing retreats with Richard Paul Evans at his ranch, which were far better attended and lower cost than my own. I was SUPER uncomfortable charging more with less experience. So I gave that up.

At the same time, I saw a post on social media that made me think I should switch gears rather than completely abandoning all that hard work of learning how to put on a retreat.

I mean, look at this. People were literally asking for it and no one was doing it. How could I not host a READING retreat instead of a writing one? I held the first back in March of 2022 and loved it so much I did another in September.

Twice a year was a bit much. Especially as I had also gotten married in May of 2022. As a result, these were small, but so, so great. I loved them, as did the guests.

So I am hosting just one per year, in September. It is currently 137 days away, but I have all but FIVE spots taken. 

This is by far the biggest one I have put together. I'm sure they will only continue to grow. 

What Happens When We Are Consistent?

Results. There are HUGE results.

I know I wrote a blog post about this topic before when I was much more consistent about writing my blog in the first place, but wow.

Sometimes lessons have to be learned more than once I guess. After setting a goal to be more consistent in writing my blog in 2016, I saw a huge uptick in the results that I was getting in every aspect of my life. 

Life gets complicated, things get in the way. The past year alone has been one of constant change for me, with very little consistency. Was not good for my ability to get things completed or make much progress in my life.

Honestly, I'm not even sure I remember the goals that I set at New Year's this year.

But even just in the past week of consistent effort just showing up to my office, I have seen a lot of progress in my novel, in my blog, in my studies, and in reading. 

I need consistency in my life.

And boy, do I sure love the results. I might actually finish my novel within the timeframe needed to publish this year. And it's coming up really fast. 111 days left to publication as of today! (I may or may not have a countdown timer on my phone.)

But I'm so, so grateful for all of the support that comes when I take time daily for myself and my goals.