Welcome to Put it On the List

Thanks for stopping by to read an essay or two or ten 👋

Here’s what you need to know about me: I’m a 40-year-old elder millennial (circa 1983), mom of two (rising second and sixth graders), wife of one (another husband feels like a lot of work), and an unexpected debut novelist (book baby coming in 2025!) who has decided to write for the internet once again. This is a good thing, I think. Time will tell.

First, a little background.

In the early aughts, I had a few Blogger sites that a couple hundred people read regularly. In the early 2010s, I had a WordPress blog that tens of thousands of people kept up with to follow my travels and experiences living abroad in Italy. Before all of that, I wrote stories for local and college newspapers. All this to say: writing is part of who I am.

However, ever since I returned stateside a decade ago, writing was replaced by “real” work, raising a family, and trying to juggle #allthethings that come with modern life and parenthood. I just kept thinking, “Maybe this will be the year I start writing again.” The timing was never right…until it was.

Oops, I wrote a novel.

In early 2023, a story came to me that I simply could not shake. So, last summer, I decided to develop a writing routine and ended up with over 70,000 words in just under two months – a whole darn novel! I’ll write about my publishing journey in the months and year(s) to come on this Substack, but suffice it to say it’s been a wonderful whirlwind with hopefully many more good times to come. It still amazes me that my name will be on a real book on shelves 🤯. 

So, why start a Substack? 

For me, novels are extended waves of creative energy (yes, I’m already writing a second one). I outline and brainstorm, but then I dive into writing intensively until the work is done. It’s a fun, immersive, and demanding experience. Characters, plot points, and entire chapters roll around in my brain until they are put to page. 

With Put It On The List, I can flex a different writing muscle. Essays are more like bursts of creative energy. Funny ideas, quick ideas, viral-y ideas…write 500 words and hit publish. Honestly, y’all, there’s an instant gratification element to essay writing that is wonderful in comparison to the long-tail traditional publishing world. 

What’s with the name?

The name isn’t me being clever – it’s something I say about 10x a week: put it on the list. The grocery list, the to-do list, the home repair list, the writing ideas list, the school project list, the pissed off list, etc. Being a 40-something mom means living and breathing LISTS. Put It On The List will grow to be full of essays triggered by my real and imagined lists.

Lastly, I’m glad you’re here.

Maybe you’re here because you know me IRL. Maybe a friend with exceedingly good taste told you to check me out. Maybe you’re a random person who stumbled here through algorithmic magic on Instagram, Google, or Substack. No matter how you found me, I’m happy you’re here and hope you keep returning to read more.

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