The Bright Side: June Journey

What really matters?

Back in March, I was on a call at work planning an event with one of the leaders in the company, and the topic of work-life balance came up, and they shared techniques they use to manage their time and family, where they shared the statement, “It all works out because I know what matters.”

Such a small comment.

Almost offhand.

But the clarity of the thought struck me. They knew what mattered.

The first thing that came to mind, was did I?

What mattered to me?

Of course, I would say my family, writing, and my relationships, but often, in the midst of building and navigating a very full life, everything feels like it matters, all the time, at the same degree, overwhelming my senses, and overloading the circuits. At the time, I was working two part-time jobs, stuck in a rut with a manuscript, and balancing raising three kids and maintaining our lives and household, with lots of upcoming travel.

It was everything and too much.

The only thing I could do was to stop and assess where I was and how close I am to where I want to be.

The answer was not very far. In fact, I had what I wanted, too much of it in fact, and the only answer was to make space for what matters.

Since then, I’ve wound down on one of those part-time jobs and realigned my hours at the other so I can focus on the tasks to do, have the time with my kids, and have a life at a realistic pace, with realistic goals.

Upcoming for June

TikTok Lives through June - June 1 - June 30

Speaking of what matters, words matter. Specifically, my words in this new manuscript. This idea has been kicking around for about a year, and with the reduction of work hours and projects, it’s time to invest in this project and get it to the finish line, which means the first draft is done by the end of July.

8 weeks to get the story out.

To get to the end.

Not finished.

Not agent ready.

But done.

The problem is, I’ve set these deadlines before. (Didn’t I say it’s been kicking around for a year?) And this internal deadline’s been dragged out, pushed off, and put down, because any shiny concrete, defined task from work or for my kids could swoop in and take priority, even if I’d blocked the time for writing.

Thinking back on what matters, I wanted to hold myself to hard accountability for this task and decided to put it on all of you.

For years, I’ve talked about wanting to draft in public and share what it takes to finish. This month, my writing group is reading Page One to Done by Jessica Brody, and has taken up the challenge of fast drafting in their works in progress.

I’m logging on every day in June for at least 30 minutes to complete at least one sprint on the book to show up live, practice sharing with others and building community, and see what changes come from showing up for myself, my words, and my dreams.

Follow me if you want to see how it goes: https://www.tiktok.com/@brionniwrites

First Writing Workshop - June 17th

The Hachette UK team reached out to see if I was interested in leading a workshop for up-and-coming writers in the UK. Well, duh! Did I know what I would teach? Hell no! I felt that initial pause and hesitation.

Who was I to teach a writing class?

What made me an expert in anything?

One thing is for sure: I thrive under a deadline and a clear outcome. I love all things books and bookish, and came across several recent releases that have trigger warnings at the front of the book, letting readers know what they’re getting into.

As an author, I saw these triggers as identified conflicts in the book and thought how helpful it would be as a new author to either identify these triggers in the book, and also look to see where one could add authentic conflict or depth to characters. Good, bad, or indifferent, that’s what I’ll be talking about on the 17th. I have the outline, and will make slides next week, pacing myself so that slow and steady wins the race and finishes the workshop.

If it’s helpful and effective, I’ll check if other groups or libraries would benefit from the session.

What matters for me . . .

I don’t know if I’ve fully cracked the statement, “I know what matters,” but I think it’s showing up more for June.

More writing.

More time with kids.

More community and skill building.

I’ll be checking in each week in June with updates and takeaways from going live in June and seeing what comes from it.

How about you? What are you making space for this June?

Happy Reading and Writing -

Bri