Ask the Author: Matt Tracy
Answered Questions (3)
Matt Tracy
First, write regularly. If you want to write, you have to write. Sounds trite, but it's so true.
Second, don't worry about what you're writing about. Get started, let it out, and leave the editing for later.
Third, take a break and go for a walk. The ideas will come while you're not trying to think of them.
Fourth, do it because you like it. The whole thing gets easier when you're not overthinking it. Yes, the end result has to appeal to someone and it has to be readable and cogent, but that comes after you've poured out everything you can think of in one long stream of consciousness.
Second, don't worry about what you're writing about. Get started, let it out, and leave the editing for later.
Third, take a break and go for a walk. The ideas will come while you're not trying to think of them.
Fourth, do it because you like it. The whole thing gets easier when you're not overthinking it. Yes, the end result has to appeal to someone and it has to be readable and cogent, but that comes after you've poured out everything you can think of in one long stream of consciousness.
Matt Tracy
I'm writing a book in sequel form that will first show up on Kindle Vella, then probably as a regular book.
Where "Happy Here and Now" is a guidebook with discussions and steps and actions you can take to become happier, the sequel is more of a series of pointers which all point toward the happiness inside.
The name of the sequel is "Things You Can Do to be Happy."
It has chapters with titles like:
"What Dogs Teach Us About Death and Life'
"Bacon Jokes and Forgiveness"
"I Have Everything I Need" and
"Become Friends With Fear"
It has a lot more of a storytelling feel than "Happy Here and Now" but it all goes back to the same place. We can be happy in our lives. We can enjoy the journey we're on. We don't need to be afraid or stressed or sad.
Then it tells you, clearly, another step you can take.
Where "Happy Here and Now" is a guidebook with discussions and steps and actions you can take to become happier, the sequel is more of a series of pointers which all point toward the happiness inside.
The name of the sequel is "Things You Can Do to be Happy."
It has chapters with titles like:
"What Dogs Teach Us About Death and Life'
"Bacon Jokes and Forgiveness"
"I Have Everything I Need" and
"Become Friends With Fear"
It has a lot more of a storytelling feel than "Happy Here and Now" but it all goes back to the same place. We can be happy in our lives. We can enjoy the journey we're on. We don't need to be afraid or stressed or sad.
Then it tells you, clearly, another step you can take.
Matt Tracy
I have been working on this book since about 2002 when I started writing down my thoughts about happiness. The working title was "A Beginner's Guide to Happiness."
I'm fascinated by the whole idea of how to live your best life, and have spent a lot of my mental energy on it. This year, during the pandemic, I decided to make a book out of it.
A lot of the books I have read tell you how people found their happy place, but don't give you step-by-step instructions. "Happy Here and Now" not only gives instructions, but it guides you through living those steps daily.
Happiness isn't like a pool where you jump in and you're wet. It's more like a series of springs that you visit a couple of times a day, every day. Visiting those springs you stay hydrated. Checking in with yourself, you stay happy.
I'm fascinated by the whole idea of how to live your best life, and have spent a lot of my mental energy on it. This year, during the pandemic, I decided to make a book out of it.
A lot of the books I have read tell you how people found their happy place, but don't give you step-by-step instructions. "Happy Here and Now" not only gives instructions, but it guides you through living those steps daily.
Happiness isn't like a pool where you jump in and you're wet. It's more like a series of springs that you visit a couple of times a day, every day. Visiting those springs you stay hydrated. Checking in with yourself, you stay happy.
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