Mary Carlomagno, author of Give it Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less came to her book in somewhat the opposite way many nonfiction writers do: she had her subject matter in hand before it even occurred to her to chronicle it. She shares with us how her book and her voice came to her.

This year marked major milestones for me. I left my solid and steady career in the corporate world, started my own business, wrote a book, got married and bought my first home, a transformation that came as a direct result of learning the art of change. In 2003, I was living life according to everyone else's rules. My big corporate job made me the reliable one in my family and among my circle of friends. After 14 years of the same job and 10 years in the same apartment, I was in need of something new. The only problem was that I had no idea where to start.

I had a sense that there was something missing, but with all the job pressure, distractions and hectic social life, I never slowed down long enough to figure out what to do. Left with little challenge or appreciation for my pampered life, I decided to conduct an experiment; eliminating one vice per month over the course of one year. This process is chronicled in my new book, Give it Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better With Less!

What I gave up was far outweighed by what I had gained, which is a sense of appreciation and peace in my every day life that was lacking. The process of simplifying my life helped me to address the difference between needs and wants. Up until that point, my only way of differentiating was if I could fit an additional pair of black sling backs in my closet. (I always could.)

I began to sense a change when a friend asked "Why don't
you write a book?" Even though, I had minored in Journalism in college and had spent 14 years in the publishing business, I had never considered writing, always considered to be something for someone else, other than me.

Fully immersed in the experience of living with less, I was able to take the good advice thinking that if nothing else, the creative outlet would be a new challenge. The advice turned out to be the best I have ever received. More importantly, I was in a place where I could take the advice and apply it to my own life. I was ready to make a change.

Today, in addition to writing, my own business order helps people grappling with the same issues that challenged me a few years ago. In a new apartment as a newlywed, I marvel at the changes that I have made and look forward for more change to come. At 38 years old, I have finally found my voice.