⭐️ Only the Best! ⭐️

Looking back at The Spark's best of 2024.

In the midst of the “lost week” between Christmas/Hanukkah and New Years, I’ve been taking stock and looking back at the wild, unruly, unpredictable ride of 2024.

With that in mind here are some highlights from The Spark over the last year that I hope will provide some inspiration and insight this week and beyond.

First Up, Thank YOU!

The Spark was read across 26 countries and 44 U.S. states! Most of us are in New York, but I love to see readership from all over the world. Thank you for tuning in and reading this year.

One interesting tidbit Substack shares with me: crossover with other publications! It looks like these are your other favorite newsletters to read in conjunction with The Spark (I’m in wonderful company!):

1. Culture Study
   by Anne Helen Petersen

2. The Isolation Journals with

   Suleika Jaouad

3. Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson

4. CRAFT TALK
   by Jami Attenberg

5. The Audacity by Roxane Gay

6. Story Club with George Saunders

Top Posts

These are a few of the most popular posts I shared this year, in no particular order and NOT including the book updates and featured friends below:

• Rituals + Routines to Ramp Up The New Year (If you need some inspiration, a look back to January 2024)

• On Uncertainty, Change, and The Perfect Red Lipstick (A great message to hold as we approach the new year)

• What I Couldn’t Have Known (Musings after my summer workshop at the Omega Institute, a wonderful reminder to live in the moment and expect the unexpected)

• Is My Idea a Book or An Essay? (Some tips and questions to ask yourself if you’re trying to figure out the right format for your writing)

• A Quick and Dirty Exercise Guaranteed to Get You Unstuck (We’ve all been there! This helps.)

• Why You’re Writing Is Just As Important As What You’re Writing (How to find the arguments you’re making with your writing—yes, you need an argument)

• Finding Your Narrative (Go from the mess of ideas in your head to an organized structure)

Featured Friends

I featured 12 fabulous writers this year, having them share tips, tricks, and recommendations for writing and living the good life. Find them all linked below in no particular order and happy reading!

• Denne Michele Norris shared the book that changed her life, and now it’s at the top of my TBR pile.

• Chelsea Bieker filled us in on The Perfect Trench Coat, a book for grieving, and her tried-and-true morning routine.

• Lauren Mechling on coming around to Taylor Swift this year and looking at sheep on Instagram.

• Kimberly King Parsons shared the book that changed her life—it might change yours, too.

• Tracy O’Neill on the best food truck in NYC and her very good habits.

• Elisabeth Eaves had some predictably good recommendations for the suspense/mystery lovers among us.

• Rachel Schwartzmann shared the book that changed her life, and it’s a must-read for all writers.

• Jennifer Romolini’s eBay tips and favorite podcast.

• Glynnis MacNicol recommends a few stellar books and makes a case for doing everything “in real life.”

• Amanda Montell shares her diverse and delectable media diet, complete with Japanese Jell-O cakes.

• Jo Piazza recommends an Italian cookbook as the perfect pair to her book, The Sicilian Inheritance.

• Lyz Lenz shares the cutest letter necklace and satisfies a sweet tooth with whipped cream in coffee.

All Things TMC

While this Substack isn’t *about* just my book, the behind the scenes process of publishing and promoting The Mother Code is something I love sharing with my community. It has been wonderful to have a place to store my observations and experiences as I gear up for my May 6, 2025 release.

Here are a few of the book updates I shared throughout the year, in chronological order, in case you’re curious about the process so far:

1. FEBRUARY: All Aboard The Book Writing Rollercoaster (Before I had even finished writing! Time flies.)

2. APRIL: The Freak Out Stage (Aptly titled, this was right before my final draft was due.)

3. MAY: The Question Everyone Asks About My Book (Final draft submitted, ready to reflect before the craziness continues.)

4. DECEMBER: COVER REVEAL! (The most recent and glorious step - sharing my cover and pre-order page with the world.)

• Apply for my 2025 Book Incubator kicking off in January! More details here. Application here.

• Sign up for my Six-Week Kickstarter that starts Thursday, 1/16. I’ll be offering two times slots from 3-5pm ET and 6-8pm ET – a perfect place to dive back into a writing project or start a new one. You’ll generate work using my tried and true exercises and prompts and it’s the perfect antidote to writer’s block.

• Register for Spark Studio, a new subscription-based writing program designed for more flexible schedules and all budgets.

• Inquire about 1:1 coaching for a more private, customized approach.

• Learn more about the different ways I work with clients.