The Hit List - Getting started is the hardest part

My fourth book dropped this week. Which means I’ve written four books since 2016. That’s a book a year in addition to weekly blog posts, podcasts, emails, and hand-written letters to my secret pen pal.

Four books. Four years. Countless hours spent in front of the computer, hunched over the keyboard, fretting over the word counts and comma drama, while trying hard to ignore the state of the world as cats circle the chair looking for a way to get on my lap and weigh my leg down until it hurts.

I’ve done this while maintaining a household, nursing a sick loved one, guiding adult children through adult issues, teaching yoga three times a week, and reading tarot for clients.

“How do you do it?”

I’m asked that question a lot.

The truth is…I just do it. Like anything else. Getting started is the hardest part. Sometimes I sit and look at the blank page, waiting for the muse to start guiding my hands. She doesn’t always sing to me so up the stairs I go, rooting around for a snack, hoping that a taste of chocolate will get things happening.

Nothing happens.

It’s tempting to get stuck here. Many writers or wannabes do. Which means the book never comes, the paper never gets published, the poem is never seen. I don’t hang around that chocolate drawer for too long because I know what will happen.

Instead, I pop that piece of salty caramel chocolate in my mouth, sit back down, and just write, trusting that soon enough, something will come together. Writing is a skill but it’s also a habit. Like any habit, it takes time before you get accustomed to it. You must commit every day, no matter how you feel. Brushing your teeth is something you do without thinking about it. You just do it. Do you remember when you first got started? Probably not. But you know that you must do it or risk losing your teeth.

Writing is the same. You do it because you must. Ideas and thoughts need a place to go. All it requires from you is a commitment to your craft…and getting started. So what are you waiting for?

You don’t hit number one without a book. This is one of the many reasons why I write.

Other stuff:

Be sure to check out my The Tarot Lady’s Ultra-Deluxe Superfly Astrology Guide for 2021. All the dates you need to know plus mini horoscopes for each zodiac sign! Yay!

Nicole Lewis Keeber launched Do No Harm: Learn how to run a trauma-free business that helps your people, your processes, and your profits.

I love Stacey Abrams: Voter Suppression Isn’t a Partisan Issue—It’s an American Issue.

What Do the Tarot Cards Say? In a Pandemic, the Answer Might Be on Zoom.

Learn about house rulers in the latest Astrology Bytes.

From Vice: How to Actually Get Your Vote Counted in This Hellscape of an Election.

Wow: Massive mystery holes appear in Siberian tundra — and could be linked to climate change.

Christiana Gaudet writes about traveling with the tarot knights.

Needed to read this today: Marsai Martin’s Guide to Clapping Back With Grace.

I was on the Brave Bear University podcast talking about mastering the art of intuitive reading.

Good decision: I Took Up Tarot On A Whim – And Finally Learned How To Trust My Instincts.

So interesting: Justice Rising – Meet the astrologers who search the skies for clues to earthly crimes.

From Lisa Jade: Living the Liminal: How to Witch When Moving.

Screw this idiot: Ted Cruz Thinks The Abortion Pill Should Be Banned And, Apparently, Pregnancy Is A Walk In The Park.

I’ve been watching HBO’s documentary series, The Vow, which details the abuses behind NXIVM. It’s compelling and I highly recommend it!

This past week, I was a guest on Coast to Coast AM.

I love her: How Drag Queen Naomi Smalls Virtually Reinvented the One Woman Show.

This Docuseries Shows What Happens When We Treat Drug Misuse With Empathy, Not Punishment.

Are you going to read Michael Cohen’s book: Disloyal: A Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump?

Halsey has a book of poetry coming out: I Would Leave Me If I Could.: A Collection of Poetry.

I like Ayesha Curry: The Full Plate: Flavor-Filled, Easy Recipes for Families with No Time, and a Lot to Do.

I love Alice Sparkly Kat and cannot wait for this: Postcolonial Astrology: Reading the Planets through Capital, Power, and Labor.

Interesting: Traveling by the Stars: Have the Best Trip Possible Using Astrology!

Defo gonna check this out: Tarot Wisdom: A Journey of Self Discovery & Mindfulness.

It’s HERE! Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading! I am so proud to deliver my book baby to the world. If you want to learn how to read like the High Priestess, this is your book! YAY!

The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle is a gorgeous, global interpretation of the tarot from Shaheen Miro. I put the little book together.

The Tarot Coloring Book is the perfect later summer activity. Grab your crayons, tarot deck, and a cup of tea – and dive in!

Do you know someone who’s going through a really challenging time? Divorce, death, grief, addiction, harassment, fighting injustice, or bullying…? Give them a deep, long hug. And then, consider giving them a beautiful Tarot deck + a copy of Tarot For Troubled Times.

Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious) spells out everything you need to know about astrology in a clear, friendly way. It’s like having an astrology conversation with your BFF!

Events and Classes:

October 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd 2020: Tarot For Beginners – a live video workshop for total tarot newbies! These classes are live-streaming videos. You can watch online from anywhere in the world. Each class runs for 1 hour. For the first half, you’ll watch as I explain and demonstrate a Tarot concept. For the second half, you’ll practice using your deck and try out the concept you just learned. Give it a whirl! $199. Use this tuition coupon code for $50 off: TAROTLADY

Join my Patreon Community! I am serving up extended card of the day interpretations, astrological tidbits, community tarot practice, political astrology, early sneak peeks to horoscopes….and more. Higher tiers get access to live classes, replays of previous classes, mentoring, and more.

May 2-8, 2021: The Tuscany Tarot Intensive. Where: Italy! A full week of tarot immersion. Due to the Coronavirus, we moved the event to next year. Good news: the dates allow for a few extra seats which means you can join us next year! Yay!