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.

Yesterday I picked up boxes of books from my publisher.

I’d seen the proof for the new book, This Other Way of Knowing. I’d seen the new cover design for the first book in the series, Other Wise. Still, looking down into the open box, seeing them piled and packed tightly — solid, beautiful, & real — I was ridiculously happy. I had to share that feeling with you — my community! And I had to offer a suggestion.

I know you know the feeling. I know you’ve had moments of ridiculous happiness in your creative life. And I hope you’ve celebrated to mark them well.

Last week, I received an email in which Emily Fletcher, a meditation teacher, suggested a gratitude practice with a kick. She talked about how a gratitude practice shifts our attention to look for what is going right and encourages our brain to see the constructive themes in our life. Then, she offered this phrase: “I am so ridiculously grateful for… .”

She went on to add, “…for everything I have and I am so excited for what’s on the way.”

I took the first words of her statement for my own use and I offer them to you. Why? … Because I’m ridiculously grateful to you for being co-creators in a world that needs rampant creativity.

As I celebrate the completion and publication of my new book, I look forward to your sharings of the bright moments that have kept you going. Those moments for which you are … so ridiculously grateful.