an announcement. a sigh of relief. and back to writing.

My dear friends,

I have been longing to write more. Longing. Yearning.

Part of the reason for the redesign of my website – coming officially on January 5th and likely to show up unofficially before then so we (and you) can test it out – was to create a new space to write, to create a spaciousness for myself that was lacking, to get back to the writing that started 37days. A clean slate. A space that would focus on words and images. A space free of clutter, free of ads or pop-ups or boxes to fill out. No strings attached, just the strongest offers I could make to the world.

Since my books starting coming out in 2008, I've been blessed with an amazing response from readers. Schools have started using my books in their curricula, I've traveled the country on book tours set up by enthusiastic readers of my work. It has been extraordinary and buoying and fulfilling and fun and so much more.

And yet, I haven't been writing. Not really.

I've been answering emails and shipping books – and not that efficiently. I've been overwhelmed, truthfully, and I feel I've let people down by not responding quickly, or sometimes, at all. With hundreds of emails coming in a day, it has been a source of stress – not to hear from people – oh, no, not that at all – but to lose track or not get responses out or not send thank you notes. It has felt like I'm a failure at that. And I hate that.

Also, let me be completely honest here: My daughter, Tess, needs me. She is having a hard time of it, and my extended travel is difficult for her. I am changing my life, just as I changed my life in 1996 when it was clear that Emma longed for me to be home more and I quit my corporate job to do just that. Now, Tess needs me here. If that wasn't clear to me before now, it is now. And once you know that, you can't not know it.

So I have needed to create space, get organized, stay home, write more, ask for help (which is hard for me), and partner with people who can help me.  I've done just that.

My new team

My friend, Pam Slim, suggested I contact Tim Grahl at Out:think about creating a new online business space, and I did. From the very first conversation I had with Tim and his designer, Brian Morykon, I felt relieved and heard and taken care of and challenged. It is their work that will debut on January 5th with the official launch of my site. They will also be behind the scenes helping to launch a year-long series of 37-day-long classes online beginning in January. Can you change your life in 37days? We're about to find out.

Pam also suggested a woman named Megan Everett (pronounced Mee-gan) to help with planning, special projects, and organization. Megan has been an angel flown down from heaven above for the past few months and she has just agreed to come onboard as the business manager for 37days.

For those two referrals, a huge thank you to Pam.

Meanwhile, I did a most fantastic writing workshop with Jen Louden and Susan Piver in Boston in September (coming to Asheville in October 2012–details coming soon!). A woman named Melissa Martin-Costa had volunteered to help with the retreat, and she was so amazing a helper and such an amazing woman that I told her (and anyone else who would listen) that one day I was going to hire her as my executive assistant. And I did just that, today. On her 37th birthday. 37. Yep.

I cannot say how thrilled and relieved and happy I am to have created such a powerfully creative, wise, and organized team to help me step out of the fray a bit and write more. And stay home more. And get excited and create more.

I've learned to ask for help. To partner with people I trust. To let go enough to let them do their jobs. Try it. You'll love it.

I'm looking forward to 2012 in a way I haven't in years past. I thank Pam, Tim, Brian, Megan, and Melissa for their part in that.

Love,

Patti