Hello again, dear readers & writers & singers & poets & makers & creatives of everyday magic,

With my third novel in the hands of my publisher, I’ve come up for air. I’ve no other excuse for neglecting this blog for so long. But here I am, hoping you’re still with me.

Love & Other Matters continues the journey begun in Other Wise and This Other Way of Knowing. For those who know Margaret and the cast of characters who people her story, it’ll be a short wait for installment three. For those who don’t yet know Margaret, I hope you’ll explore the first two books.

My publisher, Piscataqua Press, is finalizing both the cover design and the interior format and I can’t wait to show you what it looks like.

I will soon share events surrounding the launch and hope those close at hand will come fill yourselves with story as I read a little and we chat a bit about the writing process.

Listening to a voice reading to us fills a quiet need. I love that I sometimes get to be that voice. And, … my actor self loves that I get to be all the characters–the ones who started whispering in my ear so long ago. The ones whose words I’ve tried to get down on the page. The ones who have become integral to the telling of Margaret’s story.

So come if you’re able when we gather to celebrate. I’ll do my best to live up to these words from award winning Maine writer, Jodi Paloni, author of They Could Live With Themselves, a collection of linked stories set in rural New England & founder of Maine Coast Writers Retreats:

“Mary Lou Bagley has an exquisite knack for storytelling using cadence, tone, and timing to elevate the deeper meaning in her words. I am forever riveted, often moved to bodily sensation, sometimes to tears, always entertained.”

Now tell us a story in the comments about what you’re up to these days …

Let me share an experience, a prompt really, that was offered to me in a writing salon. It sent me searching. It urged me to write, to explore, and to wonder. I’m hoping it serves to stimulate something in you as well.

Sonder is a made-up word for an emotion we all feel but don’t have the words to express. John Koenig’s The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows began as a web series, then became a beautiful hard-bound book. I bought that book after experiencing this video and responding to this word as a writing prompt. Other words therein have led to more adventures and conversations since.

Watch. … Write. … Let me know what happened for you? Or keep it to yourself and adventure on …

NOTE: Whether or not this interests you, please let me know you received this blog post if you’re on my email list. Reply with a simple “Yes.” We’re fixing an issue Respond in the comment section below or by email. (mlbagley@comcast.net) Thanks.

Covid. … I won’t say more. My second novel, This Other Way of Knowing, crept silently into the world without fanfare. No celebratory launch. Its birth was the opposite of Other Wise when so many came out to the RiverRun Bookstore and we had such a lovely time. No, this one had to quietly build a readership without the joy of face to face engagement.

In July, I was invited for an Author Talk at the Windham Public Library here in Maine. It was my maiden voyage back into the world of in-person interaction (though many had already emerged, I had my reasons for refraining ) and it was glorious. Part zoom, part presence. I am grateful to Ray Marcotte for that invitation. It renewed my joy in doing what I love most about the writing life — being with readers.

And so it begins, again …

Dear singers, poets, writers, readers, makers, & creatives of everyday magic,

As we approach September — while staying in the now of August — I have begun scheduling readings and book discussions again.

First up is Sept. 6th at the South Berwick Library:  

https://southberwicklibrary.org/calendar/author-visit-mary-lou-bagley/

Listening to a voice reading to us fills a quiet need. I love that I sometimes get to be that voice.

And, … my actor self loves that I get to be all the characters. 😇🥸🤓😎🧐🤪😢😵‍💫😈😊

There will be more to come (e.g. Eliot’s William Fogg Public Library, Dec 3, at 10 am).

Come fill yourself with story. And bring a friend or two. We’ll have a grand time.

Best, Mary Lou

— And now back to listening as Margaret et al whisper in my ear and I try to get it all down. Book three in the series is underway.