Hi, Reader,

Playfulness. It’s not something many of us do in our day-to-day lives—but why not?

As kids, play comes easily. We naturally gravitate towards fun and imagination. We build worlds within our minds and with our friends. We discover and explore and learn.

Then we grow up. We face challenges. We learn that life isn’t a game; that we have to be serious in order to make it in this world. And we lose that sense of wonder. Of exploration. Of play.

When I’m coaching authors, I’m often coaching them back to their playful selves. Many of my clients come from corporate or have been in professions like law or science or other serious roles. They’ve trained themselves to show up a certain way; to write a certain way.

And then they want to write a book—and part of their writing process involves discovering their voice. And finding one’s voice as a writer requires a willingness to play on the page. To try things out. To maybe even sound a little silly in the quest for authenticity.

As they play, they remove some of the barriers between brain and page. They learn to shut down that inner voice and trust themselves as they write. They lean into their humor or their philosophical spirit or their intelligence.

That’s not to say writing a book isn’t work. It is. But if you can approach it with a spirit of playfulness, you’ll both uncover the book within you and your unique voice as a writer.

Happening soon: How to land major media coverage, with guest Farnoosh Torabi

I’m excited to announce that leading financial educator, best-selling author, and Webby-winning host of So Money Farnoosh Torabi will be back in our community to talk with our members about how to land major media coverage.

Getting big media features as an author can help drive book sales—as well as brand and business growth. But how do you land those opportunities? In this session with Farnoosh, you’ll learn how to pitch and land big media wins.

It’s happening May 21 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

​Join us in community now so you don’t miss this high-valuable session!​

It’s important to understand your personal hierarchy of needs—a crucial element when deciding to relocate. For instance, decide what your non-negotiables are when choosing living arrangements. We also made an intentional division of household roles, with my husband being a stay-at-home dad.

We have lived in four countries, and we don’t know if Portugal is our forever home, but for now it’s the perfect place for our family.

Join me as I talk all things Portugal and answer your questions about the challenges and rewards of living abroad.

​Listen now.​

Latest read: Why my best writing ideas come when I’m not at my desk, by Cayla Lewis

As writers, many of us carry a quiet pressure to be at our desks to feel productive. But I’ve discovered that some of my very best writing ideas come away from my desk. Not while typing, but while walking, exploring, or letting my mind wander. We measure progress by word count, hours logged, and how long we’ve managed to sit in front of our screens without distraction. And while desk time is absolutely important, some of my best ideas have come when I’ve been far from my desk.

In the past, I used to feel a bit guilty about this. Shouldn’t I be seated with a notebook or Word doc open if I want to be taken seriously? Shouldn’t I be more “productive”? But over time, I’ve realized that coming up with ideas is an important, and often overlooked, part of the creative process. And it usually doesn’t happen while sitting in a chair.

​[Continue reading on the blog . . .]​

Featured author: Janet Phan

Today, I want to celebrate my client Janet Phan and her powerful book, Boldly You: A Story about Discovering What You’re Capable of When You Show Up for Yourself. Janet is an inspiring human with endless energy and a huge heart to help young women succeed in tech. Not only is she a driving force impacting the STEM field, but she is also the founder and executive director of Thriving Elements, a nonprofit dedicated to providing access and opportunities for underserved, underrepresented girls through STEM mentorship.

Janet is a powerhouse and inspirational leader. She wrote her book to support first gen women in STEM, and it’s made an incredible impact on young women’s lives across the globe.

Her book, Boldly You, shares her story as a first-generation Vietnamese-American and the obstacles she overcame to reach where she is today. This is a self-help book that reads like a charged and poignant memoir—and it’s a powerful read.

Writing quote:

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

— Maya Angelou

That’s it for this week! Have suggestions? Want to say hey? Hit reply—I love hearing from you!

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